Premium economy vs. regular economy on overnight international flight

[Anonymous]

Looking at flights to London for the fall. Currently, Virgin and BA have premium economy seats for about $400-500 more per seat. We will need four seats, so would be an extra $2k. I'm thinking it's not worth it but wanted to see if dcum had a different view. We are two adults both around 5' 9" with two kids ages 6 and 3, and I'll have an infant in arms. Premium economy seats on Virgin are described as "up to 21in wide, with a footrest, headrest and 38in seat pitch." Looks like regular seat pitch is 31 inches. Is the extra seat size/leg room really worth all that $$$, when you still can't lie flat?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't because 1) it's overnight, so you'll sleep through the discomfort, 2) half of the money will be spent to move kids who aren't going to feel cramped anyway into slightly more roomy seats, and 3) it's London, so it's only 7.5 hours anyway. If it were a flight to Asia or Hawaii I might spring for it, but not for this flight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't because 1) it's overnight, so you'll sleep through the discomfort, 2) half of the money will be spent to move kids who aren't going to feel cramped anyway into slightly more roomy seats, and 3) it's London, so it's only 7.5 hours anyway. If it were a flight to Asia or Hawaii I might spring for it, but not for this flight.

Unless OP and her family can't sleep at all due to the discomfort.

[Anonymous]

I’d upgrade one parent with the baby to first class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't because 1) it's overnight, so you'll sleep through the discomfort, 2) half of the money will be spent to move kids who aren't going to feel cramped anyway into slightly more roomy seats, and 3) it's London, so it's only 7.5 hours anyway. If it were a flight to Asia or Hawaii I might spring for it, but not for this flight.

Unless OP and her family can't sleep at all due to the discomfort.

I'm 5'10" and have slept on plenty of economy flights. If she knew she or her husband couldn't sleep in regular economy she wouldn't be debating making the change, she'd just do it. She would, at the very least, have mentioned if they were so afflicted. Plus a 3 year old and 6 year old who can't sleep in a seat with a 31" pitch won't be able to sleep in one with a 38" pitch.

I swear, this board is full of people who argue just to argue, not even checking to think if it makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Pay for an extra seat for the infant. That's not safe to sleep/hold infant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d upgrade one parent with the baby to first class.

That would likely be a $3,000 upgrade for that one ticket.

[Anonymous]

Get the United credit card that gives you free premium economy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get the United credit card that gives you free premium economy.

There is no card which gets you free premium economy. There is a card which has an annual fee of $450 and gives you access to the United Club/lounge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d upgrade one parent with the baby to first class.

That would likely be a $3,000 upgrade for that one ticket.

And yet. No way I’m holding a baby without laying down overnight.

[Anonymous]

Virgin tends to have more space than most US domestic carriers. Just look for aisle seats and aisle and window seats for your family of 4. No one outside of your family will want the middle seats unless the flight is packed. That way you might have empty seats in the middle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get the United credit card that gives you free premium economy.

There is no card which gets you free premium economy. There is a card which has an annual fee of $450 and gives you access to the United Club/lounge.

You can get this pretty easily with Amtrak card. Nowhere near $450

[Anonymous]

The Virgin and BA premium economy seats are a different section with upgraded services and I think are worth it. That's why they cost more than the US equivalent. It's not just getting a couple extra inches of leg room like on the US carriers. I usually pay for premium economy on the night flight, but not on the day flight return.

There are sites were you can see pictures of the seats - that should help decide if it's worthwhile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get the United credit card that gives you free premium economy.

There is no card which gets you free premium economy. There is a card which has an annual fee of $450 and gives you access to the United Club/lounge.

That's sort of true. I have the United Club card and it's equivalent to silver status, which gets a free economy plus upgrade upon check in. Gold status gets you free economy plus when you make the reservation, including on international flights. Unfortunately on most flights the upgrade on check-in ends up being middle seats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't because 1) it's overnight, so you'll sleep through the discomfort, 2) half of the money will be spent to move kids who aren't going to feel cramped anyway into slightly more roomy seats, and 3) it's London, so it's only 7.5 hours anyway. If it were a flight to Asia or Hawaii I might spring for it, but not for this flight.

Unless OP and her family can't sleep at all due to the discomfort.

I'm 5'10" and have slept on plenty of economy flights. If she knew she or her husband couldn't sleep in regular economy she wouldn't be debating making the change, she'd just do it. She would, at the very least, have mentioned if they were so afflicted. Plus a 3 year old and 6 year old who can't sleep in a seat with a 31" pitch won't be able to sleep in one with a 38" pitch.

I swear, this board is full of people who argue just to argue, not even checking to think if it makes sense.

OP may not know whether they'll sleep well in regular economy vs. premium if they don't travel much and don't have experience with overnight flights, hence the question instead of just going with her personal knowledge of how they travel. I know what I would choose (I would pay for the premium) and wouldn't feel the need to ask DCUM because I've traveled in both, including overnight, and know how I feel about them.