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Delta Air Lines's Economy Comfort seats have up to 4 inches more legroom and recline 50 percent more than the airline's standard international economy class seats.
How much is a good night's sleep worth? $40? How about $350? I flew to London recently in Delta's new Economy Comfort section, where a few inches of legroom made the difference between a cramped, miserable night and a peaceful sleep across the Atlantic.
Economy Comfort is the latest "premium economy" section from a U.S. airline. These are sections at the front of coach where, for a fee, you can get the legroom people used to take for granted. The premium economy market is chaotic, though -- the term means very different things at different airlines, for very different prices.
Let's start with Delta. Delta just laid in 36-inch Economy Comfort seats on most of its international flights, with the same class coming to domestic flights soon. Economy Comfort comes with free booze, AC power ports, and those precious few inches of legroom.
I've flown transatlantic in Delta coach before, and the industry-standard 32-inch legroom is just a little bit too tight for a good night's sleep. Just a touch. And I'm 5 feet 7 inches tall. On my Economy Comfort flight over, I sat next to a guy whose knees were up to his nose even in the 36-inch seat.
On my way back, the AC power outlet was the key amenity -- I could watch my own movies without worrying about running out of battery on an eight-hour flight.
Buying the seat was a no-brainer at $40 each way, because I'm a Delta gold frequent flier. For non-status fliers, that would have been $80. I'd still do that one way, though, to keep that good night's sleep.
What Is Premium Economy, anyway?
"Premium Economy" typically means a seat towards the front of the economy class section with more room and early boarding privileges. It isn't nearly as cozy as business class, and you don't get business class food or service. But if it doesn't cost a lot more, it can take some of the edge off of flying.
Along with Delta, United, Virgin America, Frontier, JetBlue and Spirit all offer premium economy seats. Prices vary but they can be reasonable, especially if you need those extra inches of legroom because you're 6-feet tall or want to sleep on a red-eye.
Read more: Compare prices and offerings of most U.S. carriers
Is it worth it?
For a while now, we've been struggling with two competing desires in travel: the desire to pay incredibly low prices and the desire to be treated like human beings. So far, the airlines have found that Americans' and Europeans' cheapness tends to win out -- thus the success of Ryanair, and the shrinking of airplane seats pretty much everywhere on both continents.
Premium economy seems like a good solution, provided it's reasonably priced, and for domestic flights, it usually is. For a little more money, you get a slightly better product. Business class fares are out of the reach of most Americans; $39 for some extra leg room isn't.
Unfortunately, only Delta is right now doing a reasonably-priced premium economy seat for international flights. United almost qualifies, but it's still more expensive, and you don't get any more room than Delta. On some planes, you get less: 35 inches to Delta's 36.
Yes, just-plain-"economy" should be like today's Economy Plus. But for tall travelers, long-haul travelers, or even just slightly cramped travelers, it's definitely worth looking out for, and worth paying a little more for.
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Leave a Comment:
for domestic, the problem is the inflated cost. I'd pay $40 for an upgrade but not $80.
Airline fees are outrageous! United/Continental charges $75 if you standby for an earlier flight. That's right, you open up a seat for the airline on a likely overbooked flight, and they charge YOU $75!! I, for one, am not paying! Say no to as many fees as you can and let the customer as cash cow dry up.
I LOVE economy plus and thats why I always fly United. It's totally worth the money to me. Regarding the cost to fly on standby, I remember when it used to be free for everyone which wasn't that long ago. People need to realize as fuel costs continue to go up the ticket prices have to as well. Consumers made it perfectly clear then wanted the lowest possible ticket price, that came with a shift in the pricing structure. The fees aren't outrageous, they make up the cost thats lost when they sell you the ticket at a low low price. As someone that travels constantly for business I sort have gotten "used" to the way things are now. If you can fly enough to get yourself into the frequent flyer elite programs it's not nearly as painful.
I think this is a fine idea as long as it is reasonably priced. At 5'5", I actually find the seats in 1st Class to be uncomfortable - seat bottoms are too long and I have to sit with a couple pillows in my lower back so that my knees can rest on the edge. But I like the more comfortable seat cushions, the priority seating, and the outlet for my phone. My most common flights are 2 hours or less thanks to living in a centrally-located city but I'd def fork over another $40 when I'm flying in/out of a super busy airport or at a late hour.
I know that when I've taken United flights in the past with the Economy Plus option, it was a huge plus as I'm 6'4". I wish all airlines had this option.
A dollar's worth of xanax and you can sleep anywhere, anytime, anyhow, leg room or not...
Stop flying. You're being gouged by the airlines. If people would fly less than maybe the airlines would get more realistic with their prices.
I flew Delta's economy plus from Detroit to Tokyo recently. I found it worth the $120 to get the early boarding, the extra leg room, and increased recline on the seats. I'm not a drinker, so the free booze was not important to me. To my surprise, the free booze didn't seem to be popular with those sitting around me either. If you're going to be in a plane for 13+ hours, every inch of leg room and every degree of incline is precious. I plan on paying again next year when I go to Asia.
I did the same on a Qantas flight, LAX - Melbourne. Paid $150 to upgrade to an emergency exit seat in economy for the 15.5-hr flight. Well worth the money spent. I could stretch my legs out as much as I wanted, was first to be served meals in the cabin, and had unlimited access to the bathroom without bothering my seatmates. Best $150 I've spent in a long time...
Noted; I usually don't have the need to fly any more, but I know if I had the time, I would rather drive. Now I know there is going to be a situation where I would be better off flying, but to be honest, I DO NOT look forward to the possible event. Now that I am retired, time is not a priority! Of course, that can change, and probably will, LOL!
Since no airline is going to make regular
Economy more comfortable, I think Economy Plus is a great option,
especially for international flights. Paying just a little bit more for the
extra leg-room is sure to offer you more comfort. To me, paying the extra money
is worth it so that I’ll more rested and better able to enjoy my destination as
soon as I get there! If it helps alleviate jetlag, I’m all for it!
Peggy
Goldman
President, Friendly Planet Travel
www.FriendlyPlanet.com
@FriendlyPlanet
I think the enhanced economy seats are a great option. I almost always upgrade for longer flights, which is why I fly United most often. Business class is ridiculously priced, but the economy plus is a couple hundred more for RT international flights, and makes things a whole lot more bearable. On some flights, very few other people have upgraded and I've gotten a whole row to myself. The flight attendants rigorously guard the EP seats so no interlopers move up from regular cattle car. :-)
I only fly virgin premium economy. i fly to london at least once a year. i am saving up enough miles to finally go first class next year. it is totally worth the extra monies especially on the long flight from LAX to heathrow.