Premium Economy (PE) is increasingly becoming aviation’s most lucrative middle ground: passengers pay more for greater comfort on long-haul flights, while airlines gain higher yields without the full costs of business class.

EVA Air is credited with launching the first true premium economy in 1992 – but it wasn’t until 2015 that Singapore Airlines made rival airlines take notice when it introduced the product, initially on Sydney flights.

Today, PE has evolved into a distinct cabin category. While products vary across airlines, the experience generally sits closer to ‘business-minus’ rather than ‘economy-plus’, with comfort at its core as airlines continue rolling out their latest PE upgrades and enhancements.

Thai Airways: Premium Economy is a Plus

Thai Airways offers a limited PE product, including a newer “Premium Economy Plus” cabin with 31 lie-flat seats on select routes to Japan, Indonesia and India on Airbus A330-300 aircraft. All PE passengers also have access to an onboard bar.

Cathay’s premium economy seats have up to 40 inches of pitch; above the industry average.

Cathay Pacific: Stretching the middle ground

Cathay’s PE on its Boeing 777 and A350 planes is cocooned in a separate cabin in a two-four-two layout. Seats have up to 20 inches of width and up to 40 inches of pitch; above the industry average. There are also full-length calf rests and leather-padded footrests.

On its new Boeing 777-300ER planes, passengers can access 15.6-inch entertainment screens, Bluetooth audio pairing, as well as a dedicated premium economy bathroom with touchless features.

Emirates: Late starter now leads the way

Initially skeptical about the uptake of the product by consumers until introducing it in 2022, the Dubaibased carrier has now embraced the class to the extent that its PE network will expand to 99 points by end 2026. Its first retrofitted highdensity
two-class A380 features a three-class layout: 76 business seats, 56 premium economy seats, and 437 economy seats.

One of 22 cabin scenes in a programmed lighting system. Photo Credit: Aero Design

Philippine Airlines: Mood lighting in the sky

Eight A350-1000s with a 24-seat PE cabin layout are joining PAL’s fleet. These offer private mini-cocktail tables, in-seat power outlets, while seats have a 38-inch seat pitch, 8-inch recline, and footrest. Meals come served in China tableware and linen-wrapped cutlery. Aircraft interior features a programmed lighting suite of 22 cabin scenes designed around specific onboard moments, from ‘candlelight dining’ for long-haul flights, ‘ocean’ and ‘spa’ for relaxation, to ‘national flag’ for arrivals in Manila.

Qantas: Ready for the long haul

Qantas’ latest PE seat will launch on a fleet of Airbus A350-1000 jets due to arrive from late 2026, and appear on a new wave of jets,
including more A350s, which will replace the Airbus A330s on flights to Asia from 2027.

Currently, Qantas offers PE on its 787-9 and A380, and A330-300 aircraft. The 787-9 has 28 seats in a two-three-two layout, featuring a 38-inch pitch, ergonomically designed headrests, with high-definition seatback screens and multiple charging points.

This article was first published in Travel Weekly Asia’s April-June 2026 issue. Click here to read more from this issue.