Is Economy Class too cramped, but Business Class beyond your budget? China Airlines' Premium Economy strikes the perfect balance. Enjoy a wider fixed-shell seat, extra legroom, a larger entertainment screen, complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi on eligible aircraft, a doubled checked baggage allowance of 2 x 28 kg, and priority airport services. Keep reading and learn more about Premium Economy on the China Airlines.
What is China Airlines Premium Economy?
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China Airlines Premium Economy Class, which lies between regular economy Class and business Class, offers more spacious seating space, better meal service and superior in-flight entertainment systems. It is a more comfortable option than regular Economy Class but at a lower price than business class. Passengers' flight experience is often enhanced by increasing seat spacing, providing more comfortable seats and offering free in-flight Wi-Fi.
At China Airlines, you will find these types of seats in the fleet of Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A350-900. However, not every flight on every long-haul route will always be operated by these aircraft.
What's the Difference between Economy and Premium Economy?
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Premium Economy Class is a special cabin category introduced by airlines for business travelers, serving as a fourth distinct class alongside traditional First Class, Business Class, and Economy Class. Here are the detailed differences between premium economy class and economy class:
Category | Premium Economy Class | Economy Class |
Seat & Space | Seat pitch of 89-94 cm, offering significantly more legroom. Wider seats with greater recline. | Standard seat pitch of 79 cm. |
Cabin Environment | A separated cabin section for a quieter and more private experience. | Open cabin layout. |
Ground Services | Dedicated check-in counters, priority boarding, and priority baggage handling. | Standard check-in and boarding procedures. |
In-Flight Service | Multi-course meals (often Business Class standard), complimentary pre-flight water, extra blanket, newspaper, and additional snacks. | Standard meal service. |
Other Amenities | Amenity kits, power outlets, and priority rebooking/accommodation during disruptions. | Basic amenities; standard rebooking procedures. |
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Is China Airlines Premium Economy Worth It?
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Compared with economy class, China Airlines Premium Economy has many of its own advantages, but it still depends on personal needs to determine whether it is worth it. Here are the advanteges of China Airlines Premium Economy to help you decide:
China Airlines Premium Economy | Upgrade of Seat Space
- The most obvious advantage of premium economy class lies in the size of the seats. Take the Boeing 787 as an example. The width of seats in regular economy class is usually only 17 to 18 inches, while in premium economy class, it can reach over 20 inches, which is equivalent to providing each passenger with an extra private space the width of an iPad. This difference is particularly evident during long-haul flights, providing more comfortable support for the shoulders and hips.
- The difference in seat spacing is even more astonishing. The 31-inch standard pitch in regular economy class forces passengers to curl up like sardines. The luxurious space of 38 to 42 inches in the premium economy class allows even the 1.8-meter-long legs to stretch freely.
China Airlines Premium Economy | Differentiated Experience
- From the moment one steps into the airport, the differences are already evident. Premium economy class passengers can enjoy exclusive check-in counters and priority boarding privileges, saving an average of 25 minutes of queuing time.
- The in-flight service is a world of difference. On average, flight attendants in regular economy class serve 60 passengers, while those in premium economy class only need to take care of 20 to 30 people.
China Airlines Premium Economy | Carry-on & Entertainment
- Baggage allowance is a key difference that is often overlooked. Regular economy class usually only allows one piece of 23kg checked luggage, while premium economy class generally allows two pieces. This is truly a blessing for shopping enthusiasts.
- The entertainment system has also made a qualitative leap. The screen size of regular economy class is mostly between 8 and 9 inches, while that of premium economy class is upgraded to 12 to 15 inches, with a resolution as high as 4K.
Is China Airlines Premium Economy Worth it?
Take the typical route from Beijing to Frankfurt as an example. The round-trip cost for regular economy class is about 6,000 yuan, and for premium economy class, it is about 8,000 yuan. This 2,000-yuan price difference not only brings an extra 10cm of legroom but also ensures overall physical and mental comfort throughout the journey. For long-haul flights lasting more than six hours, this investment is often well worth it.
However, for short-haul flights lasting only two hours, the cost-effectiveness of regular economy class is obviously higher. The key lies in assessing your own needs. Are you a value-oriented traveler who pursues ultimate comfort or a thrifty pragmatist? Next time you book a ticket, you might as well make the most suitable choice for yourself based on the flight duration, your physical condition and your personal budget.
China Airlines Premium Economy | Seat & Cabin Comfort
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- Fixed-Shell Recline: The seat slides forward within a hard shell, maximizing your comfort without reducing the space of the passenger behind.
- Spacious Legroom: Approximately 39 inches of seat pitch—offering more room than standard economy.
- Entertainment & Connectivity: A 12-inch HD monitor features movies, games, and more; power, USB, and charging sockets are provided. Use the supplied headsets or your own noise-cancelling headphones.
- Seat Width & Layout: Seats are 19–20 inches wide. On the 777-300ER, the cabin is configured 2-4-2—choose window pairs for couples or the center section for families.
- Extra Features: May include a laptop tray, bottle holder, and adjustable footrest (availability depends on row and aircraft type).
China Airlines Premium Economy| Wi-Fi, Meals & Amenities
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- Complimentary Wi-Fi: Full-flight free Wi-Fi is provided on all B777 and A350 aircraft, allowing passengers to work or browse seamlessly during travel.
- Gourmet Dining: Collaborates with top restaurants including Yi Palace, Mi Xiang, and Yang Ming Spring to offer elevated in-flight meals.
- Premium Travel Kit: Long-haul passengers receive an exclusive “China Airlines x Roots” overnight kit featuring MOROCCANOIL products in Roots’ classic cabin-themed design.
- Entertainment Options: A 12-inch HD monitor offers a variety of movies, games, music, and short films. Power, USB, and charging sockets are available. Noise-cancelling headphones are provided, though passengers may use their own.
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China Airlines Premium Economy| Carry-on & Ground Experience
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- Priority Services: Includes access to dedicated check-in counters, priority baggage handling, and boarding.
- Enhanced Cabin Attention: Pre-flight bottled water, extra blankets, newspapers, and additional snacks are provided for greater comfort.
China Airlines: Premium Economy vs. Economy vs. Business
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This comparison outlines the general differences you can expect. Specific hardware (seats, entertainment screens) and soft products (amenity kits, exact meals) can vary significantly depending on the aircraft type (e.g., Boeing 777 vs. Airbus A350) and the route (long-haul vs. short-haul).
Feature | Economy Class | Premium Economy Class | Business Class |
Seat & Cabin | Standard seat with ~32-34" pitch. | Significant upgrade: Fixed-shell reclining seat, ~39" pitch, 19-20" width (2-4-2 configuration on 777). | Fully flat bed in a 1-2-1 configuration for direct aisle access. Maximum privacy and space. |
Dining | Complimentary meals with a choice of entrées. Quality is good for economy. | Premium offering: Collaborations with famous restaurants (e.g., Yi Palace). Enhanced presentation and menu choices. | Restaurant-quality dining: Multi-course meals, premium wines and champagne, served on demand. |
Amenities | Basic pillow and blanket. | Exclusive amenity kit: "China Airlines x Roots" kit with MOROCCANOIL products on long-haul flights. | High-end amenity kit (e.g., with SALUS or similar brands), premium bedding (e.g., mattress topper). |
Entertainment | Personal HD touchscreen. | Larger screen (12") with the same extensive content library. | Largest screen (often 18" or more), high-quality noise-canceling headphones. |
Connectivity | Paid Wi-Fi access (availability varies). | Major perk: Complimentary Wi-Fi on all B777/A350 flights. | Complimentary Wi-Fi, often with a higher bandwidth allowance. |
Luggage | Standard baggage allowance (e.g., 1x 23kg checked bag). | Increased allowance (e.g., 2x 23kg checked bags). | Highest baggage allowance (e.g., 2x 32kg checked bags). |
Ground Experience | Standard check-in, security, and boarding. | Priority services: Priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling. | Full premium experience: Dedicated check-in counters, access to VIP lounges, priority boarding. |
Which One to Choose: Premium Economy or Economy Class?
- Choose Economy if: Your priority is budget. It provides a comfortable and reliable standard travel experience.
- Choose Premium Economy if: You want significantly more personal space, comfort, and enhanced amenities without the high cost of Business Class. It is excellent for long-haul flights where extra legroom, free Wi-Fi, better meals, and priority boarding greatly improve the journey. It represents the best valueupgrade.
- Choose Business Class if: You seek the highest level of luxury, privacy, and service. It transforms the flight into part of the vacation or a productive, restful environment with fully flat beds, gourmet dining, and exclusive ground services.
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FAQs about China Airlines Premium Economy
Is premium economy worth it on China Airlines?
It's more personal space, with plenty of legroom. The Premium Economy experience includes premium food options, a wide range of snacks, and an amenities kit from North Face. There is still priority boarding available, but Wi-Fi will cost a few extra dollars, and Sky Lounge access is not included in the fare.What do you get for premium economy on Air China?
Seats feature a folding tray table that's wider than that of economy class. It's 1 inch higher off the floor than ordinary seats, offering greater comfort for the passenger when dining and working. The table can be moved 5 inches forward or backward to make eating easy for passengers of different heights.Is it worth upgrading to premium economy?
Upgrading to Premium Economy is worth it on long-haul flights if the cost is a manageable increase (ideally less than 33-50% more than economy) for the significant improvements in comfort, such as extra legroom, wider seats, better recline, and amenities like priority boarding and enhanced meals. It offers a strong value proposition for travelers who find standard economy uncomfortable for extended periods but don't want to pay for the higher cost of Business Class.What kind of people fly premium economy?
Premium Economy is a middle flying class designed for those who want a bit more luxury, space and service than economy, but don't want to pay for the high charges that business class flights usually require.