---
title: "What is premium economy | Business Class Glossary"
description: "A cabin between economy and business class: a wider seat with more legroom and recline, but no bed."
canonical_url: https://buybusinessclass.com/glossary/premium-economy
last_updated: 2026-11-04
---

# What is premium economy?

Source: https://buybusinessclass.com/glossary/premium-economy

A cabin between economy and business class: a wider seat with more legroom and recline, but no bed.

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## Premium economy, explained

Premium economy gives a bigger seat than economy, more recline, a footrest on many airlines and better meals, at a price between economy and business class.

It does not turn into a bed. On a day flight it can be enough; on a long night flight, business class is the cabin with a flat bed.

Airlines name it differently, and what it includes varies more between airlines than business class does.

On some airlines premium economy is a separate cabin with its own check-in and boarding; on others it is a few rows behind business class with economy service on the ground. Lounge access is usually not included.

### On a business class trip

A daytime flight home from Europe is often comfortable in premium economy; the overnight flight out is where a business class bed counts.

## Related terms

-   [Lie-flat seat](https://buybusinessclass.com/glossary/lie-flat-seat)
    
    A business class seat that turns into a fully flat bed, 180 degrees, so you can sleep lying down on a night flight.
    
-   [First class](https://buybusinessclass.com/glossary/first-class)
    
    The cabin above business class on some long-haul flights: fewer seats, more space and more service. Many airlines no longer offer it.
    
-   [Upgrade](https://buybusinessclass.com/glossary/upgrade)
    
    Moving from a lower cabin to a higher one, paid for or given by the airline to frequent flyers when the cabin has room.
    

Further reading: [Premium economy vs business class](https://buybusinessclass.com/blog/premium-economy-vs-business-class). [Every term in the glossary](https://buybusinessclass.com/glossary).

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