Travel is one of the most exciting parts of our lives. Whether it’s dipping your feet in the azure waters of the Pacific, touring the ruins of an ancient Roman villa, or shopping the boutiques in Paris, nothing beats the excitement of visiting new places and seeking out new experiences.

However, while travel itself can be exciting, the actual process of traveling can be considerably less so. In fact, it can be downright uncomfortable, especially in economy. Thankfully, more and more airlines are offering new economy class tiers known as economy plus and premium economy for customers looking for just a little more comfort.

Economy plus and premium economy may be excellent choices for travelers hoping to enjoy the cost-saving measure of traveling in economy while nonetheless partaking in a few additional perks. Let’s take a look at the different levels of economy class and examine what they offer money-conscious passengers.

What’s the Difference?

[Above image “wing seat” by bnilsen on Flickr – licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

The differences between economy, premium economy, and economy plus come down to varying levels of comfort and amenities.

Economy tickets grant access to the barebones seats of the plane’s main cabin. While seating differs by airline, economy seats usually allow for 30 to 31 inches of legroom. Amenities and food services offered with economy seating also vary across airlines and flights. While you’re usually allowed one carry-on bag, airlines often charge a fee for checked luggage.

Economy Plus gives flyers more room, a better seat, and a few more amenities for an added fee. Economy Plus seats are generally wider than seats in standard economy and give passengers up to 36 inches of legroom. Standard amenities offered by airlines with economy plus tiers include earlier boarding times and slightly better meal options.

Premium Economy provides flyers with even more comfort and amenities. Airlines often place premium economy seats in a separate section of the plane, normally between business class and economy class. Premium economy seats maximize legroom, giving up to 38 inches per seat. The meal options also tend to be better in premium economy, and typically there are no luggage fees.

When Is It Worth It?

[Above image “planes viewed from gateway bridge 02-06-2013 (13)” by Bert Knottenbeld on Flickr – licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

Deciding which level of economy you want comes down to personal preference. In many cases, a little extra legroom can make your flight much more bearable. Whether you’re on the tall side or you plan on catching up with some much needed rest, a few extra inches of space can make your flight way more relaxing. Along with being able to board the plane earlier, economy plus and premium economy passengers are also given amenity kits. And, you can often enjoy expanded entertainment options, including larger TV screens and your own charging ports.

What Do Different Top Airlines Offer?

Some amenities, such as more legroom and better boarding and luggage options, are standard parts of any airline’s economy plus and premium economy offerings. But some top airlines individualize their expanded economy tiers by giving passengers a wider range of benefits. American Airlines’ premium economy, for example, gifts travelers with a special amenity bag from the designers Shinola and D.S. & Durga. Travelers with American can also enjoy a variety of entertainment options and gourmet dining as they settle down in leather recliners.

Similarly, British Airways’ premium economy tier, World Traveller Plus, allows guests the chance to enjoy a specially designated area of the cabin outside of the airline’s standard economy section. If you’re flying with World Traveller Plus, you can sip signature cocktails as you enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows with noise-cancelling headphones. World Traveller Plus passengers also receive access to special lounges at airports throughout the world.

How Much Will it Cost?

In general, upgrading to economy plus costs an extra $100 to $300, while upgrades to premium economy typically entail fees of over $300. However, upgrading on shorter flights is usually cheaper than upgrading on longer flights. For example, Delta charges about $80 to upgrade your seat from economy to economy plus on a two-hour flight from Boston to Detroit, while upgrading on a six-hour flight from New York to San Francisco will incur an additional charge of almost $200.

While some of these charges may seem a little steep, upgrading to economy plus or premium economy is a cheaper option that can help you make the jump to business class. According to a report by SkyScanner, economy plus and premium economy seats are generally 65% less expensive than seats in business class. That’s a remarkable level of savings for travelers prioritizing comfort.

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How Do You Score an Upgrade?

There are several options to upgrade to economy plus and premium economy. While flyers can buy the upgrade when purchasing tickets, some airlines allow travelers in frequent flyer programs to upgrade free of charge. Additionally, airlines often allow travelers to upgrade at a discount prior to check-in.

Many airlines also allow customers a chance to bid on upgrades using web portals like Optiontown and Plusgrade. Most experts recommend that travelers hoping to successfully upgrade bid anywhere from 20% to 40% of the difference between their current class and their desired class. Since most customers only bid the minimum amount, making a bid in this range will make you more competitive, increasing the likelihood that you’ll win the upgrade.

Have you ever flown Economy Plus or Premium Economy? Tell us about it in the comments below!

[Featured Image: “Japan Airlines 777-200ER Economy cabin” by Hideyuki KAMON on Wikimedia Commons – licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]