Premium economy or business (long haul)

Sultan of Bling

Hi,

Saving up for a trip to Australia next year. I'm tallish (6.2) and was thinking of travelling premium economy. It costs €2245 return with singapore airlines. I looked up emirates and it costs more or less the same to fly economy to australia and business back to dublin.

I'm leaning towards the Emirates option but I was wondering if anyone who has had experience of flying these classes with either airline could offer recommendations.

Many thanks.

BuffyBot

While Premium Economy is nice, it is only an enhanced economy product. A bigger seat, possibly slightly better meals etc. Business class is still going to be a cut above that with a much better seat, enhanced catering etc.

Vic_08

BuffyBot wrote: »

While Premium Economy is nice, it is only an enhanced economy product. A bigger seat, possibly slightly better meals etc. Business class is still going to be a cut above that with a much better seat, enhanced catering etc.

Slightly bigger seat, a bit more legroom and less cramped environment (as long as you go for a window or window adjacent aisle seat) in Premium Economy. On the widebody aircrafts Premium is usually 2-4-2 Economy 3-3-3 so if you a centre seat you won't be beside a centre seat passenger who is more likely to invade your space. The thought of being a centre seat passenger on a 20+ hour trip doesn't even bear thinking about.

Business on those carriers are individual or twin lie-flat pod seats, acres of space, semi-private with a personal mini-bar, access to a First/Business lounge area; a different planet from either Economy product, especially for an overnight trip.

OP check out the exact layouts on https://www.seatguru.com/ and decide for yourself. PE should give enough legroom to not have your knees jammed into the seat in front, still not exactly luxury though.

I guess your choice is a reasonable seat both ways or sacrifice the outbound trip for a bit of luxury on the return. I would probably choose the latter as I find the journey home more of a slog than the one going out so would appreciate the Business class more.

spurious

Emirates sometimes offer a very cheap upgrade to First for Business class folk. Well worth doing once, as long as it's not costing you.

steve-o

Emirates economy is very cramped on the flights from Dublin to Dubai (10 across on B777). The planes to Australia (A380) have a bit more width.

They really cram in the Business class seats too - 7 across on B777 and the seats don't go fully horizontal. The A380 seats are quite narrow when fully flat and the area for your feet is very tight. On the plus side, the A380 bar is a novelty if you are into that kind of thing, and they send a car to pick you up and drop you home at the other end.

Singapore are one of the best airlines out there, and doing Premium Economy both ways is pretty tolerable, so I'd go with that. Singapore airport is really nice (lots to do if you have time between flights). Dubai, on the other hand, can be a complete zoo at busy times.

maximum12

Think I'd go for the business class one way and try to secure an exit seat on the economy leg.

Coming home in business will take the sting out of your holiday being over.

Graham

maximum12 wrote: »

Think I'd go for the business class one way and try to secure an exit seat on the economy leg.

Coming home in business will take the sting out of your holiday being over.

Malaysian are having a sale at the moment, you could do business both ways via London/KL for little more than the business/economy prices out mentioned.