5 Airlines with the World’s Best Premium Economy Seats on Transatlantic Flights

Trade offer premium economy is that it offers a much better experience compared to economy class, but it is not much different and therefore cheaper than business class lie-flat seats. While a suite with lie-flat beds may be more desirable on long-haul 16-hour flights, premium economy is especially popular on mid- and long-haul transatlantic flights. As such, demand for premium seats on routes from the US to Europe tends to be high.

With premium economy more popular than ever, airlines have embraced cabins and therefore need to differentiate themselves. Although the differences between competing premium economy cabins are not as stark as in business class, where different airlines opt for striking designs and introduce innovative features, airlines are still trying to offer different experiences to entice customers to choose them over competitors. There are operators in this market that truly stand above the rest.

5

Lufthansa Premium Economy

Wide seats in the Airbus A350

Photo: Tamme Wichmann | Shutterstock

All in all, Lufthansa offers a fairly standard premium economy experience. It offers such a cabin on all of its wide-body airliners, installing ZIMmagic on most aircraft at 38 inches (96.5 cm) pitch, and unlike most airlines, Lufthansa does not install partitions between economy and premium economy.

However, on the Airbus A350-900, Lufthansa is notable for its premium economy layout in a seven-row layout, while almost every other airline installs eight premium economy seats in each row on the A350. As a result, the German carrier’s A350s in premium economy have only one middle seat in each row, and the seats are 19 inches (48 cm) wide rather than the standard 18.5 inches (47 cm).

This extra space really makes a difference on long flights. Lufthansa’s A350s also have wider aisles in Premium Economy than other airlines, improving service flows and making it easier for passengers to move around without bumping into other seats. Lufthansa’s new A350s with Allegris cabin continue to have a seven-row layout with the ZIMPrivacy PC-02 fixed seat.

These seats offer increased privacy and a 19.5-inch (49 cm) wide seat, one of the widest premium seats in the world. In addition, the new seats feature large 4K screens and USB-C charging and are also available on SWISS’s A350 aircraft, while the ZIMPrivacy PC-02 is also available on Lufthansa’s Boeing 787-9 aircraft. However, the 787 is narrower because it still has a seven-abreast layout despite its narrower fuselage.

4

Air France Premium Economy

Fast food improvement and great service

Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Air France offers premium economy class service on all of its wide-body airliners. The airline uses the Safran Airgo FX fixed-hull seat on its Airbus A330, high-density Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 787-9 aircraft, while its four-class 777-300ER aircraft with the old La Premiere seat are equipped with a similar Collins Aerospace Icon fixed-hull seat. Air France’s remaining Boeing 777s, as well as high-density Airbus A350-900s, are equipped with the Recaro PL3530 jump seat, while the carrier’s premium A350s are equipped with the similar Collins Aerospace MiQ.

Air France typically configures its premium economy seats with 38 inches (96.5 cm) pitch, which is the industry standard, and its seats are about the same width as other airlines. Additionally, Air France’s seat technology meets 2026 standards but is not best-in-class, and the carrier also does not install privacy wings on its seats.

Notably, Air France installs fixed-shell and standard reclining seats in its fleet. This can be a controversial topic considering the advantages and disadvantages of each seat design, although the carrier seems to be favoring reclining seats these days.

Air France has recently revamped its premium catering system, in contrast to its original strategy of offering economy meals in a more palatable presentation. Meals are planned by Michelin-starred French chef Frédéric Simonin, with dishes served in fine crockery and served with metal cutlery. In addition, Air France also offers an extensive wine selection for Premium Economy passengers, champagne, as well as high-quality bedding and amenity kits.

3

Premium Plus United Airlines

Introducing the new generation of premium economy

Credit: United Airlines.

United Airlines uses Collins Aerospace MiQ for Premium Plus on all of its wide-body aircraft except 23 Boeing 777s configured in high-density domestic flights. Its latest Boeing 787-9s come with a new “elevated interior” and premium layout including updated Premium Plus seats, although they are still based on the Collins MiQ.

These aren’t the most luxurious premium economy seats in the world, but the new seats are among the most functional in the industry. The seats have a standard 38-inch (96.5 cm) pitch and a massive 16-inch (40.6 cm) 4K OLED display. The displays are Bluetooth enabled, and the seats feature USB-C charging and a wireless charging pad.

Additionally, these seats feature a full-height bulkhead rather than the headrest wings that are becoming increasingly popular, as well as a built-in reading light. In addition, each seat has dedicated water bottle holders under the armrest for each passenger. Elevated 787-9 aircraft already operate from San Francisco to London Heathrow and will begin serving Zurich from San Francisco later in 2026.

Coded “78L,” United eventually plans to operate at least 33 examples, and they will replace the carrier’s premium “76L” Boeing 767-300ERs, which primarily fly to European destinations with high business demand. In the long term, future denser 787-9s and future 787-10s will also feature updated Premium Plus seats.

2

Emirates Premium Economy

One of the best and most expensive premium economy seats in the world

Photo: Photofex_AUT | Shutterstock

Emirates launched Premium Economy flights in 2022 and the product has been recognized as one of the best Premium Economy products in the world. However, at first glance, there is little difference in the seat other than the color and finish. Emirates uses the Recaro PL3530, a popular reclining seat model that has a 13.3-inch (33.7 cm) diagonal screen, which is the same size the airline uses on its economy class seats.

However, it has a Premium Economy configuration with 40 inches (101.6 cm) of pitch rather than the standard 38 inches, and its seats are slightly more reclined than the competition. Generally, Emirates allocates slightly more space to each Premium Economy passenger than other airlines. Emirates Premium Economy seats on the Boeing 777 are the same width as other airline seats.

However, the carrier has installed seven abreast premium aircraft on the Airbus A350, making it one of the few airlines to do so, along with the aforementioned German carrier Lufthansa. This allows Emirates to install seats that are 19.5 inches (49 centimeters) wide, and the carrier’s seats on the Airbus A380 also retain the same width thanks to the A380’s wider fuselage. In addition to clean space, Emirates Premium Economy is praised for its food quality.

Indeed, the airline offers multi-course meals from a rotating, regionally themed menu, and also offers a varied complimentary wine selection, including selected business class options. Emirates is also known for providing excellent service overall, which further enhances the quality of this product. The catch, however, is that Emirates tends to charge extremely high prices in Premium Economy, charging some of the highest fares of any airline for this cabin on average.

1

Best Premium Economy across the Atlantic

Consistently takes first place

Credit: Virgin Atlantic.

SkyTrax has ranked Virgin Atlantic’s premium business class number one at the 2025 World Airline Awards, meaning Virgin Atlantic’s product is the best in the world. However, when you look at the seat, it doesn’t seem special, as the Airbus A350 and A330neo fleets are equipped with the standard version of the Collins MiQ, while the A330-300 and Boeing 787-9 are equipped with older seat models.

Seat pitch is set at 38 inches (96.5 cm), while Virgin Atlantic configures the A330 and 787 with seven rows, and the A350 premium economy cabin is configured with eight rows. However, where Virgin Atlantic really excels is in catering, as the airline is also considered the world’s best at catering for premium economy passengers.

The food is consistently high quality, the portions are large and Virgin Atlantic also offers a wide selection of drinks. In addition, the airline is also known for its consistently attentive and engaging service, which further enhances the quality of its product.

Virgin Atlantic is actively reducing its A330-300 fleet and plans to upgrade its Boeing 787-9s with new interiors from 2028 to 2030. This means that all of its aircraft will soon be equipped with modern premium economy seats that better match the world-class service provided by cabin crew. Additionally, as a result of this redesign, Virgin Atlantic will finally be ditching its infamous top-class herringbone seats, which are outdated and lack privacy.