Premium Economy vs Economy
Is Premium Economy worth the extra cost on your Asia to South Africa flight? A detailed breakdown by airline — including which airlines don't offer it at all.
Quick Comparison — All Airlines
| Airline | Routes | Has PE? | Economy pitch | PE pitch | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar Airways | DOH–JNB · DOH–CPT · DOH–DUR | No | 32" | — | If budget allows, QR business (Qsuite) is worth every rand. Economy is solid if not. No PE middle ground. |
| Singapore Airlines | SIN–JNB · SIN–CPT | Yes | 32" | 38" | SQ Premium Economy is worth it on the SIN–SA sector (10h+). The recline increase alone justifies the premium. |
| British Airways | LHR–JNB · LHR–CPT | Yes | 31" | 38" | On BA, Premium Economy is strongly recommended over economy on LHR routes — the economy product is dated. |
| Air France | CDG–JNB · CDG–CPT | Yes | 31" | 38" | PE worthwhile on AF — especially given the dated economy cabin. Business also improved in recent years. |
| Lufthansa | FRA–JNB · MUC–CPT | Yes | 31" | 38" | PE recommended, particularly if booked on the A340 which has a more cramped economy experience. |
| Qantas | SYD–JNB | Yes | 32" | 41" | Qantas PE is excellent — 41" pitch is best-in-class. Highly recommended for the long SYD–JNB sector. |
| Kenya Airways | NBO–JNB · NBO–CPT · BKK/SGN/SIN via NBO | No | 32" | — | No PE option — choose between economy (best value) and business (flat bed, strong service). |
| Ethiopian Airlines | ADD–JNB · ADD–CPT · Asian cities via ADD | No | 30" | — | ET is about value. Economy is fine for short-to-medium connections via ADD. Business is acceptable. |
| Emirates | DXB–JNB · DXB–CPT | No | 32" | — | Emirates economy is above average with great entertainment. No PE means jump to business for a flat bed. |
Airline by Airline Breakdown
Qatar Airways
DOH–JNB · DOH–CPT · DOH–DUR
Economy
Seat pitch32"
Width17.5"
Recline3"
Screen12"
PowerUSB-A
WiFiYes
Premium Economy
Not offered by this airline on this route
Qsuite
ConfigurationFlat bed
Width22"
PowerAC+USB
WiFiYes
Suite doorsYes
Verdict: If budget allows, QR business (Qsuite) is worth every rand. Economy is solid if not. No PE middle ground.
Qatar offers no Premium Economy — you go from good economy to exceptional Qsuite business. The gap is large.
Singapore Airlines
SIN–JNB · SIN–CPT
Economy
Seat pitch32"
Width18"
Recline3"
Screen11"
PowerUSB-A
WiFiYes
Premium Economy
Seat pitch38"
Width19.5"
Recline8"
Screen13.3"
PowerAC+USB
WiFiYes
Business Class
ConfigurationFlat bed
Width22"
PowerAC+USB
WiFiYes
Suite doorsNo
Verdict: SQ Premium Economy is worth it on the SIN–SA sector (10h+). The recline increase alone justifies the premium.
SQ PE is one of the best in market — genuine upgrade in seat size, recline and meal quality.
British Airways
LHR–JNB · LHR–CPT
Economy
Seat pitch31"
Width17.5"
Recline3"
Screen11.6"
PowerUSB-A
WiFiYes
World Traveller Plus
Seat pitch38"
Width18.5"
Recline7"
Screen15"
PowerAC+USB
WiFiYes
Club Suite
ConfigurationFlat bed
Width22"
PowerAC+USB
WiFiYes
Suite doorsYes
Verdict: On BA, Premium Economy is strongly recommended over economy on LHR routes — the economy product is dated.
BA economy is only 3-star. World Traveller Plus is a meaningful improvement. Club Suite is excellent.
Air France
CDG–JNB · CDG–CPT
Economy
Seat pitch31"
Width17.5"
Recline3"
Screen9"
PowerUSB-A
WiFiYes
Premium Economy
Seat pitch38"
Width19"
Recline8"
Screen15"
PowerAC+USB
WiFiYes
Business (La Première First)
ConfigurationFlat bed
Width21"
PowerAC+USB
WiFiYes
Suite doorsNo
Verdict: PE worthwhile on AF — especially given the dated economy cabin. Business also improved in recent years.
AF Premium Economy solid and a genuine step up from a mediocre economy product.
Lufthansa
FRA–JNB · MUC–CPT
Economy
Seat pitch31"
Width17"
Recline3"
Screen9"
PowerUSB select
WiFiYes
Premium Economy
Seat pitch38"
Width19"
Recline7"
Screen15"
PowerAC+USB
WiFiYes
Business
ConfigurationFlat bed
Width21"
PowerAC+USB
WiFiYes
Suite doorsNo
Verdict: PE recommended, particularly if booked on the A340 which has a more cramped economy experience.
LH PE spacious and well-catered. Economy on older A340 frames is quite basic.
Qantas
SYD–JNB
Economy
Seat pitch32"
Width17"
Recline3"
Screen10.6"
PowerUSB-A
WiFiYes
Premium Economy
Seat pitch41"
Width19.4"
Recline8"
Screen13"
PowerAC+USB
WiFiYes
Business
ConfigurationFlat bed
Width22"
PowerAC+USB
WiFiYes
Suite doorsNo
Verdict: Qantas PE is excellent — 41" pitch is best-in-class. Highly recommended for the long SYD–JNB sector.
QF PE has the best pitch in its class at 41 inches. Business is also outstanding.
Kenya Airways
NBO–JNB · NBO–CPT · BKK/SGN/SIN via NBO
Economy
Seat pitch32"
Width17"
Recline3"
Screen9"
PowerUSB-A
WiFiYes
Premium Economy
Not offered by this airline on this route
Business
ConfigurationFlat bed
Width22"
PowerAC+USB
WiFiYes
Suite doorsNo
Verdict: No PE option — choose between economy (best value) and business (flat bed, strong service).
KQ has no PE. Economy is adequate. Business is solid 787 product.
Ethiopian Airlines
ADD–JNB · ADD–CPT · Asian cities via ADD
Economy
Seat pitch30"
Width17"
Recline3"
Screen9"
PowerUSB-A
WiFiYes
Premium Economy
Not offered by this airline on this route
Business
ConfigurationFlat bed
Width21"
PowerAC+USB
WiFiYes
Suite doorsNo
Verdict: ET is about value. Economy is fine for short-to-medium connections via ADD. Business is acceptable.
ET offers no PE. Economy is budget-tier. Business adequate for the price point.
Emirates
DXB–JNB · DXB–CPT
Economy
Seat pitch32"
Width17"
Recline3"
Screen13.3"
PowerUSB-A
WiFiYes
Premium Economy
Not offered by this airline on this route
Business
ConfigurationFlat bed
Width22"
PowerAC+USB
WiFiYes
Suite doorsNo
Verdict: Emirates economy is above average with great entertainment. No PE means jump to business for a flat bed.
Emirates has no PE. Economy IFE (ICE) is best-in-class. Business solid.
When is Premium Economy Worth It?
Worth it when…
- Your flight is over 8 hours and you struggle to sleep upright
- The price gap between PE and economy is under R3,000–R5,000
- You're travelling for an important occasion and need to arrive refreshed
- You're travelling with a partner and the side-by-side seat width matters
- The airline's economy product is rated 3 stars or below
- You have a bad back or circulation issues
Skip it when…
- The price gap is more than R6,000–R8,000 — put it toward business instead
- The flight is under 6 hours
- Business class is only marginally more expensive than PE
- You sleep anywhere, on anything, immediately
- The airline's PE product is merely an economy seat with extra legroom
- You're using miles/points — often better value to redeem for business