Why I Love Booking Premium Economy for International Flights

First things first, let’s be clear: When planning a trip to Europe, Asia, or anywhere else with my wife and 3 daughters, I always hope to book business class tickets.

But that hope quickly fades when I start searching for award seats and see that there’s only 1 (maybe 2?) available in business class. I’m well aware that premium cabin award seats can be quite difficult to find, especially when you’re trying to book travel for 3, 4, or, in my case, 5 people.

However, when I’m searching for 5 award seats to an international destination, I often find plenty of award seats available in economy and sometimes even in the more comfortable premium economy class.

Between business class and the economy cabin are the premium economy seats. This class of service offers a range of enhanced features and amenities designed to make your flying experience even more enjoyable. My family prefers to stick together on flights instead of being split up or in different cabins, so this is a nice compromise. Plus, there are usually plenty of premium economy award seats on the routes I look for.

Read on to find out the 4 reasons why I feel premium economy seats are the sweet spot for international travel with family.

1. Greater Comfort on International Flights

Have you ever sat for 9 or more hours on a long-haul flight to Europe and wished you had more legroom and a more comfy seat? I most certainly have. Perhaps more times than I can count. In fact, this was the only way I flew internationally until I discovered points and miles.

In premium economy, you can expect a superior recline compared to a standard economy seat, along with adjustable headrests and footrests, as well as a cozy pillow and blanket. Not only that, but most airlines’ premium economy cabins are substantially smaller than their economy cabins and have fewer seats, resulting in less foot traffic and density, which translates to greater space.

Earlier this year, I flew with my family from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Naples, Italy (NAP), on American’s Boeing 787-9 in premium economy. The whole family couldn’t stop talking about how comfortable the flight was, even with the red-eye schedule and not having lie-flat seats.

These features enhance the experience compared to economy, allowing my family and me to travel more comfortably on our long-haul journey.

2. It’s Not That Much More Than Economy in Points

The price disparity between economy and premium economy can fluctuate significantly depending on factors such as the airline, route, time of booking, and demand. The cash cost from economy to premium economy can often reach hundreds or even thousands, making it costly to cough up the extra money.

However, when it comes to points, the cost difference between economy and premium economy cabins can be modest, as little as a few thousand more.

For example, if I wanted to visit London and were considering buying a Virgin Atlantic award ticket through Virgin’s Flying Club program, I could book a one-way economy seat for 10,000 points. However, upgrading to premium economy would only cost 7,500 points more.

Though I’d have to pay roughly $300 extra in taxes and fees, I’d have a much more comfortable flight to London. Given that the cash cost of this one-way ticket from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is more than $1,000, booking this award with points would save me a significant amount of money, and the points difference is negligible when compared to economy.

3. Much More Award Space Than Business Class

The main reason I consistently choose premium economy seats for my international travels is that, quite frankly, they are accessible, while business class seats often aren’t. Not for 5 people, at least!

Typically, premium economy tends to offer more award space than business class. Business class seats are extremely in demand by business travelers, so they can get booked up fast, while premium economy might have a bit more availability.

For instance, when looking at flights from the U.S. to Tokyo from January to March 2025, there’s not a single business class award seat available using Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles.

On the other hand, I found up to 9 award seats in premium economy on all flights to Japan during the same time frame, using Alaska miles and flying on renowned Japan Airlines.

Next June, my mom, wife, and daughters plan to visit South Korea and Japan. I planned to book us all in business class, but this ambitious plan had to be put on hold because it was practically impossible to find 6 award seats in business class from the U.S. to Japan.

So I bought 6 premium economy seats on Japan Airlines for the one-way journey to Tokyo and redeemed Alaska miles at a reasonable rate of 50,000 miles per passenger. Even though we’re not in fancy lie-flat seats, securing premium economy seats will make the 13-hour flight to Japan more comfortable.

4. Family-Friendly Amenities

On long-haul flights, you can request blankets, pillows, and headsets, no matter where you’re seated. Families flying in premium economy enjoy a few extra amenities that those in the economy cabin at the back of the plane don’t get on many airlines.

For instance, premium economy passengers receive an amenity kit filled with essential travel items like a mask, earplugs, dental kit, socks, lip balm, and hand lotion. Some airlines might offer coloring books or little toys for kids.

Passengers in premium economy on several airlines can enjoy complimentary alcoholic beverages, an enhanced dining menu, and an IFE screen usually larger than you find in many airlines’ economy seats.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning again that a premium economy seat offers greater space, enhancing the experience for both children and their parents.

My toddler daughter could almost completely spread out in her premium economy seat during our flight to Italy on American. This allowed her to sleep longer and gave Mom and Dad much-needed time to unwind before she woke up.

Final Thoughts

Would I want to fly in lie-flat seats with my family whenever I travel internationally? Of course. However, I am sensible and recognize that occasionally a sacrifice is necessary.

Flying premium economy with my family to far-flung destinations such as Asia and Europe is a fantastic way to travel more comfortably. Plus, in many instances, the cost of booking a premium economy award ticket is only slightly more than an economy award, making premium economy my preferred option for long-haul travel with my family.