Premium Economy Showdown: United, Delta & American Airlines

Ever wondered if there's really that big a difference between economy and premium economy?

In this video, travel influencer Jeb Brooks from GreenerGrass.com takes us on a journey across the Atlantic, testing out the premium economy offerings of the top three U.S. airlines: United, Delta, and American Airlines.

Over the course of three flights in three days, Jeb experiences firsthand whether paying extra for premium economy is worth the splurge:

United Airlines Premium Plus

Jeb’s journey begins with United Airlines’ Premium Plus service, offering priority check-in, security, and boarding. The first leg of the trip is a flight from Newark to London aboard a 31-year-old Boeing 767.

United’s Premium Plus cabin features 22 seats in a 2-2-2 configuration, offering more comfort compared to standard economy.

Amenities include a pillow, blanket, amenity kit, headphones, and inflight entertainment with a 13-inch screen, 362 movies, and 42 new releases.

Though premium economy comes at nearly double the price of economy ($1,566 for Premium Plus vs. $833 for regular economy), passengers do receive a few key perks.

The meals in premium economy are elevated compared to those in economy, with options like eggs and sausage served on this flight. Snacks, drinks, and a pre-landing meal round out the experience, with a notable upgrade over regular economy meals.

However, there’s a downside: United’s Wi-Fi wasn’t available on this flight, which Jeb admits was disappointing, as he had planned to send messages from the air.

Delta Airlines Premium Select

Next, Jeb boards Delta Airlines’ Premium Select service for a flight from London to New York. The Premium Select cabin, housed in a 24-year-old Boeing 767-400, is equipped with 20 seats, again arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration.

Similar to United, Delta provides priority check-in and boarding, as well as a more comfortable seating experience.

The cost for Delta’s Premium Select is $1,617 for a round-trip ticket from New York to London, almost three times the price of economy ($565).

The meals on Delta are a standout, with an elevated dining experience, including the Panang chicken with Thai rice and a pre-landing meal that rivals business-class offerings.

What really sets Delta apart is the service. Jeb praises the dedicated flight attendants for providing attentive and personalized service, which made the premium economy experience feel almost like a separate class altogether.

Delta’s Wi-Fi was also available for purchase at $5, and Jeb found it to be fast and reliable.

American Airlines Premium Economy

Finally, Jeb boards American Airlines for the last leg of his journey from New York to London.

The American Airlines Premium Economy cabin, arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration aboard a 24-year-old Boeing 777, feels remarkably similar to those on United and Delta, with a good recline and basic amenities like a pillow, blanket, amenity kit, and headphones.

Unfortunately, American Airlines doesn’t live up to expectations in terms of the airport experience. There was confusion about where to check in, and despite the promise of priority benefits, Jeb and his travel companion had difficulty navigating the process.

Onboard, the food service was notably slower than both United and Delta, with a meal consisting of braised beef and lentil stew. While the food was good, it didn’t live up to the elevated meals provided by the other airlines.

In terms of service, American’s flight attendants didn’t provide the same level of attention as Delta’s. The Wi-Fi was available for $35, which Jeb found to be both expensive and slower than Delta’s.

The Jeb Score & Final Thoughts

Airport Experience

• First Place: Delta and United (tie) for clear and well-branded priority check-in and boarding processes.
• Last Place: American Airlines, for the confusion and lack of a dedicated priority check-in area.

Seats

• First Place: Delta for slightly wider and more padded seats.
• Last Place: American Airlines, for not providing a footrest in their premium economy.

Food

• First Place: United for their hot pre-landing meal.
• Last Place: American Airlines for unremarkable food and lack of snack offerings.

Wi-Fi

• First Place: Delta for affordable and fast Wi-Fi.
• Last Place: United for poor Wi-Fi connectivity.

Service

• First Place: Delta for providing attentive and personalized service that made premium economy feel almost like business class.
• Last Place: American Airlines, for a lack of engagement with passengers during the flight.

Overall Winner: Delta Airlines

Delta comes out on top in this comparison by a significant margin, with superior service, better food offerings, and a more premium experience overall.

Is Premium Economy Worth It?

However, Jeb warns that premium economy isn’t always worth the splurge. The price difference between economy and premium economy can be steep, and passengers should carefully consider whether the extra perks justify the cost.

For those looking to stretch their travel budget, Jeb suggests exploring options like paying for extra legroom in economy or flying business class on overnight flights.

Ultimately, while premium economy may be appealing, it’s essential to evaluate the added benefits before committing to the higher price tag.

Have you flown premium economy and do you agree with Jeb's experience? Let us know in the comments below!

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