In the middle of it all

Premium economy surges as the “comfort canyon” widens

As Virgin Australia introduces its refitted Boeing 777-300ER premium economy section (six months late, but with three inches more legroom at 41in), Qantas prepares to finalise the layout of its forthcoming Boeing 787-9 order and Delta announces its plans to launch premium economy when it takes its first Airbus A350 XWB in the middle of 2017, the “middle cabin” introduced more than 20 years ago is firmly in boom mode.

On most airlines, premium economy is essentially the same seat product as domestic business class within Australia: a recliner, usually around 20- 21in wide, with thick armrests, pitched at about 38in, sometimes with a legrest, in a separate cabin between economy and business class. Usually, it is configured with either one or two seats fewer in each row compared with economy — 2-3-2 on a Boeing 787, upper deck Airbus A380, A330, A340 or A350 cross-section, 2-4-2 downstairs on an A380 or on a Boeing 747 or 777.

This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.

Login

Become a Member

To continue reading the rest of this article, please login.

Username or Email

Password Forgot password?

Keep me signed in on this device.

If you check this box before you log in, you won’t have to log back into the website next time you return, even if you close your browser and come back later.

If you check the box above before you log in, you won’t have to log back into the website next time you return, even if you close your browser and come back later.

---

or

---

Login with a Passkey

To unlock all Australian Aviation magazine content and again unlimited access to our daily news and features, become a member today!
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.

PRINT

$49.95 for 1 year Become a Member

See benefits

• Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
• Access to In Focus reports every month on our website

MOST POPULAR

PRINT + DIGITAL

$99.95 for 1 year Become a Member

$179.95 for 2 years Become a Member

See benefits

• Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
• Access to the Australian Aviation app
• Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
• Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
• Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
• Daily news updates via our email bulletin

DIGITAL

$5.99 Monthly Become a Member

$59.95 Annual Become a Member

See benefits

• Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
• Access to the Australian Aviation app
• Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
• Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
• Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
• Daily news updates via our email bulletin

View more offers and details