Is British Airways Premium Economy worth it?
I must be a marketers dream because when I saw there was a sale on and for an extra £259 I could upgrade to World Traveller Plus (British Airways Premium Economy) on my San Jose (SJC) to London Heathrow (LHR) flight, I booked it!
I’ve wanted to try BA Premium Economy since they launched it. Before kids and when I had a big corporate job, I regularly upgraded myself to business class. Now with 5 of us flying, and the kids no longer qualifying for a child rate, we are definitely coach regulars.
But this time I was on my own and thought I’d try it.
It has its own cabin, bigger seats with greater recline, a foot rest, slightly better food, drinks on tap and you get 2 checked bags.
Is BA Premium Economy worth it? Read my BA Premium Economy Review
I guess that depends. I’m not sure I would splash out for it at full price, but I would definitely go for the sale price again. (Update October 2019: I actually like Premium Economy so much I continue to book it!)
Wider Seats
Significantly wider seat that Economy with greater recline, lumbar support, head rest and foot rest. They recline significantly. The configuration is 2 – 3 – 2 (compared to 3 – 3 – 3 in Economy). It reminded me of what business class was like before they started to offer the fully flat seats (Yes I am that old to reminder!). They were super comfy and SO MUCH BETTER than coach. It was like sleeping in a recliner chair. I had brought my own neck pillow (Go Travel Memory Dreamer), which was useful for supporting my neck.
Better Food
We got a hot towel before dinner service, linen napkins, real silverware. While not phenomenal, the meal was good and better than the coach meals. I choose the Chicken Marsala. We got a choice of 3 kinds of hot bread, a few kinds of wine. The breakfast meal was a bit disappointing. I don’t eat eggs and the only options were an omelette and a full English breakfast. The attendant did go out of his way to bring me a yogurt and muffin. I didn’t eat them but it was a nice gesture.
So-so Service
The website advertises: small, intimate cabins with expert, attentive service. Service was just OK. It would have been nice if they had come around with water a bit more often. I ended up having to go through coach to the end of the plane to get an attendant’s attention. It was an overnight flight and many of my fellow flyers were sleeping, so I am guessing the flight attendants didn’t feel the need to keep walking the aisles. I did appreciated the attendant that brought me a muffin because I don’t like eggs.
More Luggage
You can take two bags with you on board – one full-sized cabin bag plus a laptop or handbag – and check up to two bags into the hold – double the allowance for most economy services. This last bit made it totally worthwhile for me. On my US trips I always struggle with meeting the luggage weight limit on my return trip (maybe I should shop less). A 2nd checked bag costs anywhere from £100 – £140, so having this included in my upgrade was totally worth it.
In flight entertainment
The same as coach, but the much bigger screen (10.5 by 11 inches) and noise reducing headphone. There were 40+ of the latest films, documentaries, television and it numbers in hundreds if you include music, audio books and games. My favourites include: the Silicon Valley and Vanity Fair box sets!
Did I sleep?
Yes! For a good 5 hours. My husband even remarked that I looked more awake than usual.
Overall experience
The experience to me was what business class used to be like before they started to offer the fully flat seats. Super comfy wide seats with a foot rest. The cabin was much smaller than coach and really gives an exclusive feel. To me, it was totally worth the sale upgrade price of £259.
Pluses:
- Larger seats with greater recline and a footrest
- Dedicated, exclusive cabin
- 2 USB port
- 2 free checked bags! (23kg limit each)
- Larger video screen
- Amenity kit with noise reducing headphones, toothbrush, toothpaste, eye mask, ear plugs and a pen
- Better food service – hot towels, linen napkins, real silverware
- Full bar service, including wine
- Priority boarding (I was in group 3)
Minuses:
- Cost
- Have to use bathroom in economy
- Service on my flight just OK
- Breakfast disappointing. Could have used some fresh fruit
- Not much under seat storage, equipment box blocking
Have you flown on British Airways premium economy? What did you think?
13 COMMENTS
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JuggleMum, Nadine Hill | 22nd Aug 19
Having flown home in Economy this week from an 8 hour flight, I was saying to my husband that we should book premium economy sets next time. Unfortunately they were all sold out on this flight by the tie we decided to book it… I must get in earlier next time!
Tilly71 | 19th Apr 19
Personally we found British airways premium economy not worth the extra price we paid to upgrade from Economy. It felt like you only got a few extra perks on board for a lot more money.
I cant comment on the newly improved service been introduced recently as we flew before.
Jen from Jenography.net | 12th Mar 19
I like BA Premium Economy — I often get it in the sale or use miles or companion tickets to book it. i think one of the biggest benefits is the smaller cabin, which is so much quieter and calmer than the big economy cabin in back. It’s also great to have that little fold-down foot rest, which makes my back and my legs so much more comfortable. That box under the seats is an annoyance though! 🙂
Tracey Williams | 4th Feb 19
We flew back PE for the first time last August when we flew Cancun to Gatwick with BA. I booked it as I got it for £70pp which I think was a steal…. £280 for the four of us. I agree that the night time service always seems to be poorer, and that you are basically being rushed to go to sleep. That said I would definitely do it again for the right price, plus we touched lucky and got bulkhead seats which gave us so much space x
Kara | 17th Jan 19
I have to admit I have never flown business class but I would love to experience it just once. Not sure I would pay full price though
Nickolai Kinny Whitmore | 16th Jan 19
Great review, I’ve always found myself wondering if its worth it or not.
Zeshlife | 16th Jan 19
Thanks for the honest review. We’ve booked BA Premium Economy for our overnight return flight from Miami to Heathrow in August. Hoping the extra recline on the seats means we’ll all get some sleep.
Anne Fraser | 16th Jan 19
I have only flown with budget airlines. I guess it would be worth it for long haul especially if you have a lot of luggage.
Claire Justine | 16th Jan 19
I have not flown premium economy before but would love to try it if it came up at the right price for us 🙂 I love lots of room and it does sound lovely.
fashionandstylepolice | 16th Jan 19
I have never flown premium economy. I hope to one day. Always wanted to experience it.
Tracey Kifford | 16th Jan 19
I flew BA premium economy back from Dubai last September – we loved it. It was so much nicer than the economy seats on the way out
Hannah Wood | 15th Jan 19
I would get the extra bits always nice to have and when you are flying for a long time.
Talya | 15th Jan 19
I have to say having read this I would definitely tempted by the extra perks! But on balance it is a cost issue…