British Airways Premium Economy: My Experience
In the last 6 months I’ve been lucky enough to fly internationally a few times, and even sat in premium economy for two trips! One I paid for (which I’ll focus on here), and another one (my recent trip to Scotland) where I got a random upgrade for both of my long flights. Back in November 2023, I flew Boston to Munich via London Heathrow on British Airways' World Traveller Plus, their premium economy service, and let me tell you, it was an experience. So, I thought I’d share some of the details, as well as if I thought it was worth the extra cost over a standard economy fare.
As with most airplane journeys, you start with checking in and boarding the plane. The check-in process for premium economy depends a bit on what airport you are departing from, but Boston Logan has some separate lanes for people in different fare classes to check in.
I have British Airways status, so I actually get business class check-in no matter the fare I’ve purchased. When it comes to getting on the plane itself, World Traveller Plus allows you priority boarding, so you can get on the plane and settle down sooner. This was really great for this flight, since it was an overnighter from Boston to London, and it gave people more time to relax and get ready for a (hopefully) good night’s sleep. Not to mention, premium economy on this flight is in a separate and smaller cabin, which was lovely for the calmer, cozier feel.
The seat itself is actually different, which is one of the biggest pros for me versus spending less for a standard economy seat. Not that I won’t buy economy tickets, can’t splurge all the time! The seats are not only wider, but they also have extra legroom. As someone who is somewhat taller than average, my knees often end up smashed against the seat in front of me in economy. It’s something I’ve gotten used to, but it can be really annoying and uncomfortable on these longer flights (6 hours for this one!), so the extra knee room was fantastic. To add to the comfort, the blanket is more of a lightweight quilt than a cheap fleece blanket like in economy, and the pillow is larger. And there’s even a small amenity kit made from recycled plastic bottles. It’s the little things, right?
Just like economy, each seat has a personal entertainment system, but these were definitely larger than the standard. Also, noise-cancelling headphones! I tried them out and they were a HUGE improvement over the cheap earbuds you get in economy, but I still ended up using my Bose headphones for better noise cancellation and comfort. As always, there was a wide selection of movies, music, and games to keep you entertained throughout the flight. Full disclosure, I just played Hogwarts Legacy on my Switch the whole time I wasn’t asleep.
Foooood. I love food. Airline food is always a joke, I know, but it isn’t all terrible all the time! The meal service in World Traveller Plus was actually pretty decent. Starting with a glass of sparkling wine on one trip, and juice on another (which I think was a mistake, because I think it’s usually just water or orange juice?), followed by a starter, main course, and dessert, the quality of the food was a bit better than economy food, and it was served on actual flatware, rather than just foil! I had braised lamb, some pea mush, and cauliflower. Definitely exceeded my expectations for in-flight dining.
Outside the in-flight experience, there are a couple other perks you get with a premium economy fare. There’s an increased baggage allowance, so you can have both a cabin bag and up to two pieces of checked luggage as well, which is super convenient. Another perk (kind of, you have to pay for it) is Airportr, which gives the option of having your baggage picked up from your doorstep and checked in for you is something I'd consider for future travel. I think this is limited to certain airports, but definitely something to be aware of if it interests you!
Traveling in British Airways' World Traveller Plus was an experience that I’d definitely repeat again. The comfort, in-flight services, and added conveniences made my journey not just bearable, but actually enjoyable. If you're considering an upgrade for your next flight and it’s in your budget, I can't recommend it enough.
Stay safe, stay sane, and have a good trip!