You can easily fly PE for less than the cost of the best seat in coach to Asia, Europe, South America, and the South Pacific if you know how, which will otherwise net you a free upgrade.
If you’ve been following FCF’s newsroom lately, you’ve seen Business Class starting at $2,000 almost every other day from the U.S. to Europe. You haven’t seen such fares to Asia and South America because they’re so rare.The fact is that on the major airlines to Asia Business Class fares easily go for $4,000 to $7,000, depending on the route, and to South America they range from $3,100 to $4,500.
So what do you do when super-low Business Class fares aren’t offered and mileage availability isn’t there?
Possible Solution: Premium Economy (PE)
For the Business Class traveler: This is the best option for people accustomed to flying Business Class but who don't want to spend $3,000 to $5,000 to sit up front, especially on a day flight—when you'd probably rather work than sleep. These seats, often in a separate cabin, include elite ground and onboard benefits, such as separate check-in, priority boarding, seats with a leg and/or foot rest, and even upgraded meal service.For the economy class traveler: If you don't have the status or the budget ($85 to $170 each way) to get or buy an exit row or bulkhead seat, and you can stand an international flight in the middle seat or at the back of the plane, our hat is off to you.
For more on what defines Premium Economy go here.
Potential Upgrades on American from Economy to PE To South America:
Cheap Upgrades: On Dallas-São Paulo (20+ hours round-trip flying) it only costs $200 round-trip to upgrade to PE (unless you are happy with a middle seat or in the back), and at the same time it's $3,794 less than Business Class.Free Upgrades: Instead of paying for a better economy seat—one that offers a bit more leg-room, which American calls Main Cabin Extra and can cost up to $342 more round-trip—get a much better seat by booking PE for a bargain—it costs $142 less than 'Main Cabin Extra' on many AA flights.
To Asia:
Cheap Upgrades: Here the deal is clear, given that you’re spending a lot of time in the air—27+ hours Dallas-Seoul. A ‘Main Cabin Extra’ seat on American costs $342, whereas PE costs only $250 more. The PE fare is also $3,073 less than Business Class.Free Upgrades: Instead of paying for a better economy seat (Main Cabin Extra), get a much better seat by booking PE, equivalent to a free upgrade, and on this route pay $92 less.
To Europe:
Cheap Upgrades: The cost difference between economy and PE on the Dallas-Paris route is $280 (see below), which is also $1,522 less than Business Class. (Dallas-Madrid is $290).Free Upgrades: Instead of paying for a better economy seat (Main Cabin Extra), get a much better seat by booking PE, equivalent to a free upgrade because it’s $62 less.
To the South Pacific:
Cheap Upgrades: The cost difference between economy and PE on Los Angeles-Auckland and LA-Sydney is $600 (see below). Main Cabin Extra on American costs up to $342 more round-trip. That seat is your home for 25+ hours. But for only $258 you can have a better residence, the PE seat. The PE fare is also $3,886 less than Business Class.
AA’s Premium Economy (PE) Routes:
Currently: Dallas to Madrid, Paris, São Paulo, and Seoul. Starting August 4, Los Angeles-Tokyo; starting October 5, LAX-Auckland; and starting November 6, LAX-Sydney. This summer: seasonal Chicago-Paris service on American’s new B787-9. The PE seat roll-out on AA's B777-200 starts Dec. 15. American will retrofit the following aircraft with Premium Economy seats: B772, A332, B77W and B788. AA is planning to have the retrofit completed by late 2018.
The Premium Economy Seat on the B787-9: Configured 2x3x2, up to 19 inches wide, with extendable foot, leg, and head rests, 38-inch seat pitch, an 11-inch monitor, priority boarding, amenity kits, and upgraded meal-service. Experience AA's Premium Economy in detail here.
Misc. notes/conclusion:
The fare: FCF considers these fares to be a very good deal, especially considering that Delta’s first PE route, Detroit-Tokyo, has fares starting at $2,400+. We expect the PE fares on AA to increase.Connecting Flights: FCF was able to price routes in 2018 which required a connection and found that the connecting domestic flights on American are booked in economy (Y class), which allows access to AA’s Main Cabin Extra seat, but not an upgrade to First Class.
Earning elite status: Currently AA is giving two EQMs per mile flown, and EQDs are calculated based on the fare paid.