Emirates, Qantas, ANA Ranked for Leading Premium Economy Cabins on Long-Haul Routes
Condé Nast Traveler has identified premium economy offerings from Emirates, Qantas, and All Nippon Airways among the top choices for travellers seeking enhanced comfort on international long-haul flights without the cost of business class. The assessment, published on August 1, 2026, highlights specific features and services that distinguish these cabins.
Premium Economy Gains Traction Amidst Rising Airfares
As international airfares continue to rise, premium economy cabins present a middle ground between standard economy and business class, catering to travellers desiring additional comfort and amenities on a more conservative budget. This cabin class typically delivers more spacious seating, increased personal area, improved in-flight services, and better meal and beverage selections compared to economy. However, the value of premium economy can vary significantly between airlines. Condé Nast Traveler’s August 1, 2026, report, authored by Jessica Puckett, evaluated numerous international premium economy products, singling out 16 offerings deemed to provide superior comfort and value on long-haul aircraft. The publication specifically detailed the premium economy products from Emirates, Qantas, and All Nippon Airways (ANA), noting their comprehensive benefits both on the ground and during the flight.
Emirates' Distinctive Premium Economy Offering
Emirates launched its premium economy cabin in 2021, progressively rolling out the product across its double-decker Airbus A380 aircraft and select retrofitted Boeing 777s. The cabin is situated at the front of the A380’s main deck. Currently, this cabin class is available on more than 30 routes connecting to and from Dubai, encompassing major United States cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, San Francisco, Seattle, and Houston. Passengers booking premium economy with Emirates receive benefits starting at the airport, including a dedicated check-in desk, a more generous carry-on baggage allowance, and complimentary seat selection. Within the cabin, the design incorporates elements reminiscent of Emirates’ business class, featuring cream leather upholstery with stitching details and wood accents. Seat features include a large throw pillow, a six-way adjustable headrest, calf and foot rests, a 13.3-inch in-flight entertainment screen, a dining table with a side cocktail table, and charging ports. In-flight meals comprise three-course dinners served on Royal Doulton china with stainless steel cutlery, often including a dish reflecting the flight’s destination, such as Thai pepper beef. Complimentary beverages include wine and sparkling options from the business class wine list, like the vintage 2012 Chandon.
Qantas Prioritises Comfort and Space
Australian carrier Qantas offers its premium economy cabin on Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A380s. This cabin is entirely separate from the standard economy section, typically containing 32 to 40 seats arranged in a two-three-two configuration. Qantas’s premium economy seats are wider and provide more legroom than economy seats, complemented by wider armrests that include storage compartments, two USB outlets, an ergonomic headrest, and a foot rest. A notable design element is the seat’s recline mechanism; instead of simply tilting backward, the seat moves forward and upward, which Qantas states on its website delivers a higher level of comfort by supporting the legs and back in an elevated position. Upon boarding, premium economy passengers are greeted with a complimentary sparkling wine or water. Meals are presented on custom-designed tableware by David Caan. Additional in-flight amenities include noise-cancelling headphones, a large pillow, a 100% wool blanket, and an amenity kit. At the airport, travellers also benefit from a dedicated check-in counter and priority boarding. This cabin class operates out of at least 13 airports, including US hubs such as Dallas-Fort Worth, New York JFK, Honolulu, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
ANA's Enhanced Premium Economy and Future Upgrades
All Nippon Airways (ANA), a Japanese carrier, extends its premium economy benefits to the airport terminal. Passengers flying international premium economy gain access to ANA’s lounges at key hubs, including Tokyo Haneda, Tokyo Narita, Osaka’s Kansai airport, and Honolulu airport. ANA is also introducing new premium economy seats on its upcoming fleet of Boeing 787-9 aircraft, with the first delivery scheduled for November 2026. These new aircraft will operate long-haul international flights. The redesigned seats will feature a 40-inch pitch and nine inches of recline, representing an increase of two inches in both dimensions compared to previous models. For relaxation, a leg rest that supports the entire calf will be available. In-flight entertainment is delivered via a 15.6-inch screen, which includes Bluetooth connectivity and USB C charging ports. Once airborne, premium economy passengers receive refreshments from ANA’s business-class drink menu, which includes a curated selection of beverages.
Implications for Travellers and the Aviation Industry
The detailed assessment by Condé Nast Traveler demonstrates the continued evolution of premium economy as a significant cabin class for long-haul international travel. For travellers, this means a growing range of options to secure greater comfort and improved services without the substantial cost associated with business class. Airlines like Emirates, Qantas, and ANA are investing in distinct product offerings to differentiate their services and cater to a segment of the market that values enhanced amenities. For the aviation industry, this trend shows a strategic focus on optimising revenue from intermediate cabin classes. Asian carriers, in particular, such as ANA, are using premium economy to deliver a more comprehensive ground-to-air experience, including lounge access at major hubs like Tokyo and Osaka, which directly benefits travellers flying to and from Asia. As new aircraft, like ANA’s Boeing 787-9s, enter service with upgraded premium economy products, consumers can anticipate further improvements in comfort and connectivity on key global routes.
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