Benefits of PE over Economy? Worth It?

Hi guys,

I'm due to fly to the States in July: into LAX and out of JFK. My options are as follows:

A: Fly economy both legs, using Miles Plus Money, for about £500

B: Fly Premium Economy out to LA, and Economy back from JFK. I'd use Miles Plus Money for the outward leg, and pay for the return leg with miles. This comes to about £500, but obviously uses up a chunk of miles (26,250 I think).

My problem is, I'm over 6'4, and *always* pay for an exit row in economy, and this isn't included in the costs above. The exit rows are so spacious in terms of leg room that I wonder whether I'd be more comfortable there than in PE. I do find the economy seats a fraction too narrow though. Can you get exit row/bulkhead seats in PE as easily as economy, and do you have to pay for them? If not, how spacious does a 38inch seat pitch in PE really feel for a tall person? Is the extra recline in PE particularly noticable?

Sorry if this is confusing! Any input much appreciated. You can probably tell I've only ever flown economy

Ben

[Nottingham Nick]

Ben

This is one of the favourite debates here. Just about everyone has a view.

This old thread from last year gives an idea of thoughts.

I will leave this thread running, as it is a while since we have talked about it.

Nick

Hi Ben and a warm welcome to V-flyer.[y]

Pretty sure the answer you get will be -"try it". Personally I think the PE service is enough ahead of the Y service to justify the difference in cost and I think you will find any of the PE seats perfectly acceptable for someone of your height. Of course there are bulkhead/exit row seats in PE and these will afford even more leg room. They are unfortunately not pre-bookable so you will need to get to check-in early - but there is no extra charge for using them.

Again - perosnal choice - I would fly out economy and then back in PE for the overnight leg - in fact delete that- I would fly PE both ways!!

Whatever you choose to do, have a great flight and let us know in a TR how you get on.

Thanks for the advice. Like you, I would prefer to take the overnight flight in PE, but the cost (I'm a student!) means I'd have to use miles to pay for the outward leg, and there's no availability for that unfortunately. C'est la vie!

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by MarkJ
Hi Ben and a warm welcome to V-flyer.[y]

Again - perosnal choice - I would fly out economy and then back in PE for the overnight leg - in fact delete that- I would fly PE both ways!!

Whatever you choose to do, have a great flight and let us know in a TR how you get on.

I could see his reasoning for doing PE on the outbound - it's a much longer flight. While I too would fly PE both ways if I could, if my pocket and miles dictated otherwise I would be inclined to do what Ben is proposing.

BTW, welcome, Ben [y]

I'd go PE outbound as it's the longer flight and (I went PE to LAX in Feb) the service quantity is excellent. The return leg will probably only be around 6 hours something so there isn't that much time to sleep anyway. Consequently, you won't lose out on that much sleep if you are unable to sleep in Y. If you're not driving home, there isn't such a problem of lack of sleep in any case.

45.

[Darren Wheeler]

Being over 6' I have to say it's worth every penny. I don't have to worry about being jammed against the seat in front. The dedicated check-in helps ease some of the hassles, especiall in the scrum of LHR.

Just a shame it doesn't have an option of CH access, even for a fee.

[Neil]

I am also , thanks to this site, a PE convert and would say it is well worth doing on the outbound if you can, and I think you will struggle to go back to Y flying again. Compared to a Y exit seat, you obviously get the wider seat which is a big help, especially on a long flight plus the smaller, quieter cabin and also the other little extras.

IF I had to choose I would always say PE outbound anyways as you are awake longer to enjoy the benefits more, I struggle to sleep in Y or PE so it makes very little difference.

Neil

Into LAX on PE makes a lot of sense, and from JFK back to LHR I guess you could struggle into Economy. Personally, I do the India - USA trips often, and if over London, then PE on VS is worth it, since the only other option is WT+ on BA.

[Bazz]

Hi mogmog and welcome to v-flyer.

Your opinion on the seats is welcome but I think it may be a tad late for benamure as the original question was posted in May and referred to a flight to be taken in July. [:w]