Clients have been quick to embrace Emirates’ A380 premium economy class, say a small group of agents who checked out the cabin (and the new look aircraft it is part of) this month.

Vikas Sarin, of House of Travel Milford, says many of the customers purchasing premium economy have previously experienced that class of travel and have been attracted to the different product, maybe because of connectivity or availability.

Having a premium economy product on the AKL-SFO route now puts United Airlines on a par with joint venture partner Air New Zealand, says Julie Reid, director Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti sales for UA.
‘Most airlines have premium economy and people are prepared to pay a bit more for a good middle ground product,’ she says. ‘It is already proving popular on the AKL-SFO route.’

Sixty five percent of respondents in a Sabre Corporate Travel Survey say that premium economy continues to gain ground in the region.
One travel manager in three has recorded an increase of close to 5% in premium economy bookings over the last year. As travel-related expenses become a central consideration for companies, the survey also reveals that downgrades, shifting reservations from business to economy class, account for close