Surprisingly, American Airlines Has Hit It Out of The Park with Their New Premium Economy Product
I just wrapped up my nearly 40,000-mile journey to and from Auckland, New Zealand, twice in just under two weeks. Though much of the trip I had the opportunity to sit in Business or First Class, both my flights to and from Auckland were in American Airlines Premium Economy. That means I’ve spent almost an entire day in American’s new Premium Economy product over these past two weeks. That being said, I feel as if I have a pretty good idea of the service and experience offered in Premium Economy.
American Airlines’s Premium Economy product is just a little over a year old. In October 2016, American introduced the hard product with the delivery of the airline’s brand new Boeing 787-9. After launching the hard product, American later launched the soft product in summer 2017. Now, all aircraft on international routes featuring the Premium Economy cabin offer American’s full Premium Economy service. Aircraft configured with Premium Economy include the Boeing 787-9 and many Boeing 777-200s. American’s fleet of Boeing 787-8s, Boeing 777-300ERs, and Airbus a330-200s will receive Premium Economy in the coming years.
American Airlines was the first US airline to introduce a Premium Economy product. Foreign airlines including Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and British Airways have offered a Premium Economy product for years now. Traditionally, non-US airlines offered a more polished service compared to US-based carriers. That said, expectations weren’t exceptionally high for American’s new Premium Economy product. However, after spending nearly an entire day onboard American Airlines Premium Economy, I firmly believe American Airlines offers a competitive and impressive Premium Economy product. Here’s why.
On The Ground: American Airlines Premium Economy
American Airlines Premium Economy passengers will be delighted to find out that they receive priority ground assistance throughout their journey.
At the airport, American Airlines Premium Economy passengers can access American’s Priority and Business Class check-in counters. In the boarding area, Premium Economy passengers board with Group 4, ahead of General Boarding along with elite frequent flyers. Additionally, Premium Economy passengers receive priority bag handling ensuring they receive their checked bags first.
Unfortunately, unlike passengers seated in Delta’s Premium Economy product, passengers on American Airlines do not receive airline lounge benefits. Unless you are a select elite frequent flyer, you won’t be able to access any of American’s lounges or partner lounges.
In The Air: American Airlines Premium Economy
Once onboard, Premium Economy passengers will be delighted by the 2-3-2 layout. All seats feature either a full legrest or footrest, seatback entertainment, power outlets and USB ports, and leather upholstery. Overall, the Premium Economy cabin feels just that, very premium. With only 21 seats, the cabin is quiet and spacious compared to economy.
I had the opportunity to sit at both the bulkhead (row 9) and the second row of Premium Economy. The bulkhead seats feature a physical legrest while all other rows feature a footrest mounted to the seat in the next row. I preferred the bulkhead as I found the legrest to be much more substantial than the footrest.
Onboard Service
Onboard service will vary depending on the time of departure and flight duration. Both of my flights in American Airlines Premium Economy departed during American’s dinner window and featured three services; dinner, a snack, and breakfast. In addition to the scheduled meal services, the crew walked around throughout the flights offering drink refills.
Unlike in standard economy, menus were provided to passengers in Premium Economy. Additionally, the entire service starts with a bottle of water, a hot towel, pretzels or mixed nuts, and your choice of a beverage.
On my flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, I opted for something light. I had the salad with chicken breast and quinoa. Dinner came with a side salad and a shrimp cocktail. All meals were served at one time on a single tray. However, each plate is served on actual china and not in plastic containers. Drinks are still served in plastic and paper containers.
On my flight from Auckland to Los Angeles, I decided to try the braised beef entree served with vegetables and mashed potatoes. I found this entree to be much more flavorful and thoroughly enjoyable. The salad on this leg was pretty underwhelming though. Additionally, the meal was served with a very tasty spring roll.
I didn’t get pictures of either snack services. Both snack services were pretty light consisting of a small sandwich and a sweet. On the LAX-AKL leg, a cold sandwich was served while on the AKL-LAX leg, a hot panini was offered. Of course, the hot panini was much better than the sandwich offered on the flight to Auckland. Hokey pokey vanilla ice cream was served on the flight from Auckland while a Kit Kat bar was served on the flight to Auckland.
The same breakfast options were offered on both legs in Premium Economy. On both flights in Premium Economy, I was quite hungry, so I opted to try the full American breakfast. The American breakfast consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon, a hash brown, yogurt, and a blueberry muffin. The breakfast was served at once with flight attendants also offering coffee and juice with the meal. On both legs, I found the entire breakfast to be tasty and cooked well. It was certainly more than adequate for Premium Economy.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the meal servicer offered in American Airlines Premium Economy. It certainly helped that both crews on the flights to and from New Zealand were enthusiastic and eager to serve passengers. I honestly can’t complain. Meals and onboard service were both executed phenomenally on both flights. Premium Economy passengers certainly won’t go hungry, and with access to a relatively extensive complimentary drink menu, passengers won’t be thirsty either.
In-Flight Amenities
Another aspect of American Airlines Premium Economy with which I was pleasantly surprised was the availability and quality of onboard amenities. On both legs in Premium Economy, all amenities were placed on my seat prior to boarding. This differs from the more personal delivery of amenities by flight attendants in business class.
One thing to note in this review is that the pillow and blanket offered was different on my flight from Los Angeles and my flight from Auckland. This is because American Airlines recently introduced Casper amenities in both the Business Class and Premium Economy cabins. I found the Casper pillow and blanket to be a much-welcomed change over what American had previously offered. The Casper pillow is very wide and very plush. The blanket doesn’t appear that thick, but it certainly kept me warm and seemed larger than what American previously offered.
In addition to a pillow and blanket, Premium Economy passengers receive a basic amenity kit with socks, ear plugs, an eyeshade, and toothbrush and toothpaste. Passengers also receive super comfy Casper slippers and American Airlines-issued noise-reducing headphones.
On both flights, I managed to get a solid few hours of sleep. Even when I have a lie-flat seat in Business or First Class, I usually find it nearly impossible to sleep. Somehow, I managed to fall asleep on both legs in American Airlines Premium Economy. I guess that goes to show that comfort is certainly not an issue.
Overall, American Airlines Premium Economy
I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised by American Airlines’ Premium Economy product. I wasn’t expecting much going into either flight. Premium Economy is by no means Business Class, so I kept my expectations low. After completing two 10+ hour flights in American Airlines Premium Economy, I can say with confidence that the airline offers a competitive and thoroughly enjoyable Premium Economy product. From the meal service to cabin comfort, I don’t have many critiques. I imagine others will have a different view on American’s Premium Economy product so feel free to let me know.
Have you flown in American Airlines Premium Economy yet? What do you think of American’s Premium Economy product?
Coming Soon: My full review of DeltaONE from Sydney to Los Angeles
I have been trying to decide whether to pay $3200 Premium economy from Lax to Sydney or Business Class. It is 15 hours and just want to be comfortable.
I personally prefer the 777 Premium Economy on AA simply because it has a significantly bigger IFE.
Flying premium economy 8 hour flight Dallas to Honolulu. Aware not as good as international. No real food.
My question is my wife is 4ft 10. I am 5 ft 7. Both aged 70.
Got bulkhead going as my wife has trouble reaching the floor on premium seats. Returning, she has the only bulkhead available, and I am directly behind her. We can switch to the back row and sit together.
Her worst flight ever was AA first class, a 5 hour flight. Her legs couldn’t reach the floor and were hanging for 6 hours.
Since you sat in both bulkhead and another row, will a 4 ft 10 person be able to reach the footrests, in back rows?
If not, we will stay with separate seating,
Hey, i’m doing this flight too, and at 4′ 10″ I would stay separate. If you want, you could have her try the pedal style foot rest when you get on the plane, and if she does reach it, then you could ask if someone else in that row would move to the bulk head so you could sit together. I would also try calling AA to see if they can solve your problem better then I can. Maybe we will be on the same flight!
Thanks for the review as we are just looking at PE to FCO. In the last row of PE, do you know if the seats have any reclining issues, i.e., less than other seats? On the flight we are looking at, the bulkhead is already taken on both sides.
Premium Economy Seats at AA 777
We are flying to HKG from TPA. I can purchase a premium economy ticket American Air for not much more than economy on Cathy. Which is a better seat, American Premium or Cathy Economy?
AA’s new PE is definitely better than CX economy. PE vs PE is a tough call. I think I prefer CX’s seats (and service), but AA’s seats are new, without the 1000’s of hours of wear and tear that CX’s seats have already experienced.
What type of planes are used Dallas to Maui?
A 777-200. I will be on that route this summer. (It will be a 4 cabin plane)
So will I!
I’m flying LAX to AKL in March 19. I’m currently in 10L on the way out (9A back). Should I change my 10L to either 11A or 9D/H? Having trouble finding info on the best seats. Appreciate the guidance.
It appears that the bulkhead seats are NOT narrower – like they are in coach – is that a correct statement? Any difference between the bulkhead seats on the sides, versus the center? Same legroom, or is there an offset?
Basically. There might be about a 1/8 of an inch taken off because of the TV, but unless your extremely sensitive, bulkhead is the way to go.
Thanks for the info!
Can you book Premium Economy using air miles only? Or do you have to buy a seat and then upgrade? If so what is the cost or points? Would love to fly int he class but no on at American is clear on the terms.
When I checked you could on AA. However I remember it being double the miles. Same as or close to business class.
There were several considerations. In looking at the seating, it appears there is no business class on flights equipped for premium. Guess they figure selling premium seats for less is better than giving free business class upgrades to elite passengers. My plane is 777 V2.
More important, premium economy let me connect through Dallas and get premium economy all the way. On the first leg, Dayton to Dallas, I was given main cabin extra without charge, since premium economy was not available.
On a business class booking, using miles, there were no direct flights available through Dallas. The flights to Hawaii were all through Alaska AirLines, and were economy, even though you paid business miles. I would even take regular economy through Dallas anytime, over that booking. Paying double miles and flying the longest leg in economy feels like being cheated. My option in business class would have been connecting in Dallas, then business class to Los Angeles or Seattle, then economy on Alaska AirLines. Bad deal.
I was not aware of this service until a question was posed regarding this service on a travel forum that I frequent. Today, I found your article and posted it as an additional reference for him. He got a bargain of a deal for an additional 100 euros to get PE.
Very nice if you have status, but if you’re part of the proletariat, the seats in American are truly the worst if you are also slightly on the Renaissance side of weight. And when someone put their seat back in front of me, I had 4″ of clearance from my face. Southwest seats and spacing is truly more civil!
This has nothing to do with status. PE is a different class (fare basis) of service that you pay for. The recline in front of you is a lot more than 4″ of space in this class of service.
Sounds a lot like Virgin Australia PE, except that the seats don’t look quite as nice as far as one can tell from the photos. Is there anyone here who has flown both and is can compare them?
ME!!! Ok, so as I liked VA’s PE, the seats were comfortable, and the food was good but the seat fell behind in some places. First off, the cabin just feels outdated. With AA, they have a more modern, sleek style, but it is just normal on VA’s. I also like the seats better on AA and they have a much more clean and functional layout. I got to say I think that VA had a lot better food and service then AA though. It was perfect, in terms of food for VA. As for entertainment, AA wins. They have a more up to date system with larger more responsive screens, while VA still have the old screens. As I would go with AA, both are good products and you can’t go wrong with either. Well, unless you spend a lot more on one more then the other.
I am flying American PE from LAX to NRT (Tokyo) next month – are the bathrooms pictured in front of PE for PE customers or do we have to go back to Economy? I heard conflicting things about this.
The bathrooms at door 2L (boarding door) are for Premium Eco and Business Class. The Business Class lavs at the very front cannot be accessed by PE pax nor can the lavs in economy. Additionally, economy passengers cannot use the lavatories in the mid-galley. Essentially, PE pax have 2 lavatories to choose from. At least, this is the case on the 787-9. However, I believe AA’s 772s with PE are configured similarly.
-Max P.
Thanks – I leave late Feb and come back in early March, so I will get to try both the 772 and 789 – I believe they switch out to a 789 on March 1.
Sadly, on the 777-200, it sucks. The lavs in front of PE can not, well depending on the carelessness of the crew, be used by PE and instead they must walk all the way bag to economy to go. Ugh.
1. Thanks for the review! Flying the LAX-SYD route soon.
2. Was this post November 1st “AA catering issues” out of LAX? IE, were these flights before or after November 1st?
Sorry for the late response, Grant. I just saw this.
These flights were post catering chaos and unaffected. The food was great for Premium Eco.
-Max P.
Great review ,I’m flying AA ,PE, in one month will let you know
Has was the PE seat in row 10 when the passenger in front of you reclined? Crushed? still able to use laptop?
Actually, not bad. The recline isn’t much more than what’s found in the main cabin and pitch is greater so reclining neighbors isn’t an issue.
-Max P.
Just curious, is wine/beer complimentary on AA Premuim Economy?
Yep. Additionally, there’s a pretty extensive selection of complimentary spirits and other liquors.
-Max P.