When premium economy is really 'premium': the airlines that also give you lounge access

Who, booking a long-haul flight, buy a Premium Economy ticket, it basically does. for three reasons: having A slightly wider seat with more leg room Than the one in front, Enjoy a greater assortment of better quality food and beverages and presentation, enjoy in-flight entertainment on A larger screen than those installed in Economy. In many cases of you also earn a (modest) amenity kit.

In some cases the gamble (i.e., what you get more than Economy) is worth the candle (i.e., the price difference between the two classes), in others less so.

However, there are some Companies that include a luxury component in their premium economy offerings, usually the exclusive prerogative of Business Class and passengers who have high statuses under airline loyalty programs: access to the lounge.

Two of these companies are Japanese: one is All Nippon Airways (ANA), which from December will also fly to Italy (to Milan Malpensa) from its Tokyo Haneda hub.

The other Japan Airlines, long the 'flag' airline of the Land of the Rising Sun before a route and fleet rationalization carried out some 20 years ago to make ends meet. Both ANA and JAL are 5 Star Skytrax companies and the guaranteed lounge access for Premium Economy travelers as well only does further justice to such an exclusive recognition.

The third airline is the European company Scandinavian Airlines. (SAS), which is Just emerged from a long process of rescue and restructuring also passed through the sale of 19.9% of its shares to the Air France-KLM Group and The transfer from Star Alliance to Skyteam, which occurred last September 1.

The fourth one we have at home: it is. Neos, which includes lounge access by purchasing both of its Premium Economy fares: the 'Relax' and 'Freedom', available for its connections of long range operated with Boeing 787-9.

The Korean Asiana (Whose brand will soon disappear following its merger with Korean Air), does not, unlike previous airlines, have a Premium Economy cabin separate from the others. Instead, it has the first 4 rows of the Economy cabin on its long-haul jets that offer 4 inches (10cm) of extra legroom: to passengers who purchase what Asiana calls. 'Economy Smartium' On flights to Europe, Australia and North America, the company offers free access to its Business Class lounge at Seoul Incheon Airport.

All Nippon Airways mounts Premium Economy exclusively on its wide-body aircraft: they have it the 3 Airbus A380s devoted exclusively to the Tokyo-Honolulu route, with a dedicated cabin on the 73-seat upper deck; all of its 13 Boeing 777-300 ERs (24 seats); Some of its Boeing 787-10 (21 seats), 787-9 (21 or 14 seats) and 787-8 (21 or 14 seats). Premium Economy will also be available on Milan, where ANA will fly one of its three-class 787-9s, with 48 seats in Business, 21 in Premium and 146 in Economy.

Japan Airlines provides a premium economy cabin on its 5 new Airbus A350-1000 to four classes of service (with a 24-seat Premium), On its 12 Boeing 777-300ERs. (40 places) and On all of its 22 Boeing 787-9s. (35 or 21 places).

Scandinavian Airlines, which has seen its long-haul fleet shrink as a result of restructuring over the past two years, deploys its SAS Plus aboard 4 Airbus A350-900s (32 places), 8 Airbus A330-300 (56 places) and on 3 Airbus A321LRs. (12 places).

Neos mounts a booth of 28-seat Premium Economy (i.e. 4 rows in 2-3-2 configuration) On all of its six Boeing 787-9s.

Asiana mounts the 'Economy Smartium' only on its 15 Airbus A350s, while the 6 A380s and 9 Boeing 777-200ERs it uses on long haul do not.

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