I really need to stop thinking American Airlines is somehow sub par as an airline on transatlantic routes. Each time I have flown AA this year I have been pleasantly surprised by the experience. Now I have finally tried their very good Premium Economy class and I’m here to tell you about it.
Tickets were booked for a flight from Dublin to Philadelphia and I arrived at the airport nice and early. In actual fact a few minutes before the check-in desks opened, so I had a short wait before being seen. It was then off through security and then US Preclearance security and immigration before heading to the lounge.
Dublin’s 51st & Green Lounge
The 51st & Green Lounge is the only one available after passing the US formalities. You can pay in for €35 (US$37) online or €39 (US$41) at the door. If you have frequent flyer status with lounge access or are flying business class, you will gain access for free.
Boarding
Near boarding time, I went upstairs to the gate and had a short wait until the first groups were called. I was in Group 2, so there was not much of a wait before it was my turn. People who were trying to board at the wrong time were being politely turned away.
AA723 – Dublin to Philadelphia (DUB-PHL)
3 December 2022
Boeing 787-8 – N879BH
Seat: Premium Economy 6L
Departure: 10:40 Arrival: 13:08
Once on board, I found my seat in the first row of Premium Economy, which you can see on the seat map here. As I was in the bulkhead row, I had plenty of room.
Premium Economy Lunch
American Airlines allow you to choose a meal before you fly in certain classes and I did that here. The choices were beef or pasta and I preordered the beef dish. Not long after take-off, a bottle of water was provided with lunch coming a little bit later.
Lunch featured a salad starter, the beef with mash, one brussels spout and some vegetables, a caramel slice for dessert and cheese to finish. All in all, quite a decent offering.
Everything was utterly delicious, well cooked, nicely presented and fresh. The only bad point was the top of the caramel slice, which was incredibly hard making it a bit of a mission to bite through. I still managed though, as if I’d ever miss out on something sweet!
The Darkness
Flight attendants can control the electrically dimming windows on the Boeing 787, which I really hate. This was a day flight and after the meal we were plunged into pitch darkness for most of the rest of the flight.
A Very Good Premium Economy Second Meal
About an hour and a half before landing, the lights came back up (hooray!) and we could see out the windows again. This meant it was time for the pre-landing meal. I had low expectations of this, as I expected it to be something simple, but it turns out I was wrong.
Overall Thoughts
Well, I am glad I didn’t take the US$500 upgrade to business class on this flight. I would have missed out on a very good Premium Economy experience across the Atlantic. The oneworld alliance carrier certainly gets this class of travel right.
A comfortable seat, nice pillow and blanket, decent headphones, great food and plenty of it, plus some nice extras like the ice cream made for a pleasant flight. The only major downside for me was sitting in the dark for an entire flight during the day, but I suppose that’s just me, as some might like to sleep.
What do you think of American Airlines’ Premium Economy? How does it compare to other airlines? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Thanks for this review. We are flying American in PE to Spain in September so am looking forward to it.
I know everyone is different but I like it when they dim the windows. I’d rather fly in darkness than have the sunshine in my eyes. We just flew on Virgin Airways in PE and everyone controls their own window shades. The sun was so bright and the window shades that were open just happened to shine right into our space to it was very difficult to watch anything on video. We’re all a captive audience so it’s hard to make everyone happy.
Fair enough, that’s very true, it is hard to keep everyone happy all the time in this regard.
I will not fly on a carrier that allows Flight attendants to close the windows during a daytime flight., It’s rude and arrogant
It seems to happen a lot on the 787, so best avoid that aircraft really!
I fly 15-17 round trips a year between ORD and PHX. I work diligently to snag an American 787 for each leg if possible. I totally agree that AA’s product is totally a step up, even from MCE. AA has a small, dedicated PE cabin with domestic first class seats. Typically child-free too and often other AA elites who get PE as a free upgrade. Makes for a pleasant journey and perhaps 1 of 5 trips I receive a free upgrade to lie-flat business class.
It really is a step up from MCE and definitely worth it. Nice to hear you’ve done well with upgrades also!
I know on some airlines, the flight attendants aren’t supposed to take control of the window shades, I guess that American isn’t one of them.
Definitely seems like that is the case!
Can you tell us which airlines don’t let their flight attendants take control of the windows? I would be so unhappy if I was involuntarily plunged into darkness for a daytime flight!
I have recently tried both UA and AA premium economy across the Atlantic and agree with this take on AA’s superior product. The seats are both similar and equal IMO but the service was distictly a cut above, closer to business class on AA while the service on UA was connected to the economy service. On UA, each meal or drink/snack service started at the front of the PE cabin and worked its way back through economy with the PE service only a small upgrade from eco. On AA (and BA for that matter) it is a streamlined business meal and not part of the economy offereings. Makes a big difference IMO.
You’ve really just hit the nail on the head with regards to the differences in Premium Economy products. Where airlines make it “Economy Plus” like United, it really is only a small enhancement over coach. Where airlines make it “Business Lite” like American (and British Airways and Qantas for that matter), it makes for a really nice product. Considering the prices charged, I think it makes sense to provide the enhanced catering. As you say, it makes a big difference, and I agree. Thanks for sharing that comparison with United Airlines as well. Much appreciated!