The TRUTH About PREMIUM ECONOMY (Tested on EVERY US Airline)

Summary of Product Review: Premium Economy (United vs. Delta vs. American)

What’s being tested

A “premium economy worth the splurge?” comparison across three US airlines on 3 roundtrip Atlantic crossings in 3 days:

• United: Newark (EWR) ↔ London (LHR) on a Boeing 767-300 (31-year-old 767 mentioned), 22 Premium Economy seats
• Delta: JFK ↔ London (LHR) on a Boeing 767-400 (24-year-old 767 mentioned), 20 Premium Select seats
• American: JFK ↔ London (LHR) on a Boeing 777 (triple-seven), 24 Premium Economy seats

Note: Naming is confusing—each airline brands a similar cabin differently (e.g., United “Premium Economy,” Delta “Premium Select,” American “Premium Economy”).

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Key features observed (what you generally get)

Premium economy/similar cabins commonly include most of the following (exact execution varies by airline):

• Priority benefits (e.g., priority check-in/security/boarding—sometimes phrased as “priority”)
• Early boarding into a higher group (example: United boards in Group 2)
• Amenity kit (typically not included in economy)
• Extra seat comfort vs. economy (more legroom/width depending on airline)
• Better meal service than economy (varies in quality, warmth, and “substantial” feel)
• In-flight entertainment with larger/varied screens and more movies (Wi‑Fi varies)

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Pricing comparisons mentioned (NY ↔ London, ~90 days out)

They compare roundtrip fares for roughly the same route/time window:

• United

  • Economy: $833
  • Premium Economy: $1,566 (nearly double)

• Delta

  • Economy: $565
  • Premium Select: $1,617 (about 3x)

• American

  • Economy: $845
  • Premium Economy: $2,275 (almost 3x, highest price seen)

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Airline-by-airline findings

1) United Airlines — Premium Economy (EWR → LHR)

Seat / space / comfort

• Cabin: 222 configuration
• Seats: similar to domestic first on a narrow-body; includes pillow, blanket, amenity kit, headphones
• Measured seat pitch: 38 in
• Screen: about 13 in, with 362 movies (42 new releases)
• Knee room (usable): 14 in
• Storage: surprisingly useful compartment
• Recline + leg rest + foot rest; reviewer likes the space/recline, but the leg rest feels unnecessary/awkward

Service / food

• Amenity kit: real upgrade vs. economy (mask, socks, lotions/potions, earplugs, toothbrush, etc.)
• Drinks:
  • Economy: wine/beer included
  • Premium: spirits also complimentary
• Hot coffee + liquor/spirits complimentary
• Meal quality:
  • Praised as the best pre-landing meal (described as a “business class pre-landing meal”)
  • Example mentioned: eggs & sausage (French toast sold out)
  • Hot pre-landing meal: pepper steak, described as flavorful/substantial

Wi‑Fi / entertainment reliability

• Wi‑Fi not working on this flight, and the reviewer couldn’t even purchase it
• Lesson: don’t count on Wi‑Fi

Priority / airport experience

• “Premier access” for priority check-in/security/boarding
• Reviewer says the airport process was strong (ranked tied for first later in the scoring)

Pros

• Good cabin comfort + storage
• Best food pre-landing (hot and substantial)
• Strong priority airport experience

Cons

• Wi‑Fi failed
• Fewer movies/new releases than others

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2) Delta Airlines — Premium Select (JFK → LHR)

Seat / space / comfort

• Cabin: 20 seats on the 767-400 (reviewer notes 8 passengers, very light load)
• Seats: similar to United’s style; reviewer finds it almost identical
• Measured seat pitch: 38 in
• Usable knee room: 14 in
• Screen: about 13 in, with 491 movies (25 new releases)
• Even with 20 seats, it felt roomier due to lower occupancy

Service / food

• Strongest praise in the review: service level
  • Dedicated flight attendant for the premium cabin
  • Warm towel kickoff
  • Felt like a separate class, closer to business-class treatment
• Meals:
  • Main meal praised for flavor (examples: panang chicken with Thai rice; Suzanne: tomato & mozzarella cannelloni)
  • Reviewer says Delta flavors were slightly better than United’s
  • Vegetarian variety limited—often pasta/cream sauce
• Pre-landing meal:
  • Two cold options (tea or beef plowman’s plate)
  • Chosen: cold meats/cheeses plate
  • Tasty, but compared less favorably because it wasn’t hot
  • Characterized as “Delta One light” rather than a hot premium-class feel

Wi‑Fi / entertainment

• Wi‑Fi available for purchase for $5, and it worked well
• Reviewer later ranks Delta first on fast Wi‑Fi and top movie selections

Amenity kit

• Includes mask, socks, earplugs, toothbrush, lotions/potions, and a pen (reviewer liked the pen)
• Critique: earplug placement is less convenient than United’s (may require unplugging/unseating)

Pros

• Best overall experience quality (most “premium” service feel)
• Best Wi‑Fi performance
• Strong entertainment library (highest total movie count)

Cons

• Vegetarian choices described as not very inventive
• Pre-landing meal served cold; reviewer prefers United’s hot feel

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3) American Airlines — Premium Economy (Heathrow after JFK → LHR leg)

Seat / space / comfort

• Aircraft: Boeing 777
• Cabin: 242 configuration; reviewer seated in middle section (row 14 mentioned for window preference)
• Seats: reviewer says it’s remarkably similar to United’s
• Amenities: amenity kit, headphones, pillow, blanket
• Screen: 393 movies with 91 new releases (most new releases among the three)
• Measurements:
  • Seat pitch: 38 in
  • Usable knee room: around 11.5 in (less than others; noted that others were ~13)
• Leg rest exists but isn’t well-liked:
  • Reviewer calls it a gimmick
  • Feet fit issues: Suzanne’s feet too short; theirs too long

Service / food

• Biggest problems begin before boarding:
  • Priority check-in/security/boarding benefits described as confusing
  • No designated priority check-in line found; sent to multiple locations
• Onboard service:
  • Cabin crew presence took longer to appear
  • Food served after drinks with longer waits than other airlines (reviewer felt hungry waiting)
• Meals:
  • Example: beef tips (vegetarian option: lentil stew)
  • Praise for tenderness and flavor
• Pre-landing meal:
  • Described as worst among the three
  • “No choice” time; modified cold salad
  • Onion content noted; toothbrush in amenity kit considered necessary due to smell

Wi‑Fi / entertainment

• Wi‑Fi available for purchase: $35 (much higher than Delta’s $5 and context around United’s $5-mentioned setup)
• Wi‑Fi works but is described as not nearly as fast as Delta; overall inferior

Pros

• Most new movie releases (91)
• Seat resembles United (comfortable enough for familiarity)
• Vegetarian option available

Cons

• Confusing premium priority process; lacks clear priority area
• Lower usable knee room than other cabins
• Most expensive Wi‑Fi ($35)
• Service felt weaker (slower crew arrival; “mid-flight disappearing act”)
• Pre-landing meal worst (cold/no choice/less substantial)

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Overall “tally / winner” (comparisons made)

They use an “unscientific comparison framework” with a “Jeb score.” Main ranking claims:

• Airport experience

  • Delta and United tied for first (clearly signed priority process)
  • American last (no designated priority check-in; unclear ground-agent guidance)

• Seats

  • Delta wins (slightly wider/more padded)
  • American last (comfort/leg rest drawbacks)

• Food

  • United wins (hot pre-landing meal)
  • American last (weak/unremarkable snack offerings)

• Wi‑Fi & movies

  • Delta wins (fast Wi‑Fi + strong movie selection)
  • United last (Wi‑Fi didn’t work; fewer movies)

• Service

  • Delta wins (dedicated flight attendant; felt like business-class-like experience)
  • American last (weaker attention/service)

Final verdict in the video: Delta Premium Select is the winner “by a mile.”

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Overall pros/cons of the Premium Economy upgrade (as concluded)

Pros

• Better seat comfort than economy (more legroom/space)
• Amenity kit + upgraded meals (especially on Delta and United)
• Priority boarding/check-in benefits (best on United/Delta; weaker/unclear on American)
• Better cabin experience when service is consistent/dedicated (Delta emphasized strongly)

Cons / tradeoffs

• Price increase often double to triple economy; reviewer calls it “excessive”
• Wi‑Fi reliability varies greatly (United failed; American expensive; Delta best)
• Pre-landing meal quality varies (hot/substantial on United vs weaker cold option on Delta; worst on American)
• Premium economy isn’t a lounge/business-class substitute

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Recommendation (concise)

• Best overall choice in this review: Delta Premium Select
• If you prioritize hot pre-landing meal: United
• If you prioritize “freshness” of movies (new releases): American has the most new releases, but overall experience suffers in service/priority/Wi‑Fi/value

General advice: Premium economy may be worth it mainly if you value service quality + comfort + reliable Wi‑Fi/entertainment. Otherwise, consider paying for an extra-legroom economy seat or a hybrid business/eco strategy (business on the overnight and economy on the daytime).

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Unique points mentioned (distinct claims)

• Naming differs by airline (branding confusion).
• United: “Premier access” for priority check-in/security/boarding; Group 2 boarding; 22 seats; 767-300
• United seat/amenities: 38 in pitch, ~13 in screen, 362 movies/42 new; strong storage; amenity kit includes mask/socks/lotions/earplugs/toothbrush
• United drinks: spirits complimentary; wine/beer included
• United hot pre-landing meal (pepper steak) praised as substantial
• United Wi‑Fi: announced as not working; reviewer couldn’t purchase
• United: leg rest felt unnecessary/awkward
• Delta: Premium Select with priority zone/2 boarding; 20 seats; 767-400
• Delta entertainment: 491 movies/25 new
• Delta: dedicated flight attendant + warm towel kickoff
• Delta meals praised (panang chicken; tomato/mozzarella cannelloni); vegetarian variety limited
• Delta amenity kit: includes a pen; earplug placement less convenient than United’s
• Delta Wi‑Fi: $5 and works; characterized as fastest
• Delta pre-landing meal: cold options (tea or beef plowman’s); served “Delta One light”
• American: confusing premium priority process; no clear designated priority check-in; multiple directions
• American aircraft/cabin: 777, 242 configuration; 24 seats; boarding groups mentioned (4/9)
• American seat comfort: similar to United, but usable knee room ~11.5 in; leg rest called a gimmick
• American entertainment: 393 movies/91 new (most new releases)
• American Wi‑Fi: $35, less fast than Delta
• American meals: beef tips (tender) + lentil stew vegetarian option; initial service delay
• American service: “mid-flight disappearing act”
• American amenity kit: mask/socks/earplugs/lip balm/lotion/toothbrush; toothbrush needed due to onion-heavy meal
• American pre-landing meal: worst (no choice, modified cold salad)
• Price/value: United ~2x economy; Delta ~3x; American ~2.7–3x and highest observed
• Final tally: Delta wins airport/service/Wi‑Fi & movies; United wins food; American last in several categories

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Speakers’ distinct contributions (who said what)

• Jeb Brooks (GreenerGrass.com): primary measurements, seat/amenity details, and the overall scoring/tally; emphasizes Wi‑Fi reliability and food comparisons.
• Suzanne: shared preferences/reactions during meals, including dislikes (e.g., Delta amenity kit earplug placement, foot/leg rest design) and meal choices (e.g., Delta tomato/cannelloni, American lentil stew).