For those willing to pay an extra cost, American Airlines’ premium economy seats are making transatlantic flying a whole lot more comfortable.
American Airlines’ routes between Ireland, Philadelphia, and North Carolina will be treated to a new premium economy class from January 2018 onward making transatlantic travel even more comfortable.
For a higher cost, American Airlines premium economy seats can be purchased, awarding passengers a spot just behind first/business class with improved legroom, leather seats, bigger touchscreen monitors, and noise-reducing headphones, as well as an enhanced meal service and complimentary wine, beer, and spirits.
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Competition for transatlantic flights between Ireland and the US has been heating up significantly in the past two years with the introduction of super-saver seats with Aer Lingus and the addition of low-cost carriers WOW Air and Norwegian Air into the mix.
The premium economy seats will offer greater comfort to passengers. Image: American Airlines.
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Budget Travel Options
American Airlines are now throwing their own hat into the ring in terms of becoming a transatlantic heavy weight by offering an option that provides more services to their customers instead of less. The move is a step in the opposite direction to the likes of Norwegian who are able to offer budget travel options by asking passengers to make additional purchases for services such as in-flight meals and checked baggage, offering the opportunity for those who just want a seat to purchase just that.
AA, however, are making a $3 billion investment into their travel experience with the world’s largest airline spending money on WiFi accessibility and premium seating on their long-haul flights.
American Airlines now offering premium economy seats to Ireland. Image: WikiCommons.
Dublin and Philadelphia
This investment will now see premium economy seats being made available on their daily service between Dublin and Philadelphia from January 15, 2018, onward, with the option also becoming available on their Dublin to Charlotte Douglas flights from May 4, 2018.
With 38-inch seats (as opposed to 32-inch in the normal economy class), prices are set to start at $810 (€689) return to Philadelphia, as opposed to $518 (€439) return in economy.
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Operating on Airbus A330-200 aircraft with 21 seats in premium economy available on each flight, premium economy customers may also have the opportunity to board the aircraft earlier and to receive their baggage first on landing.
American Airlines has run a service between Ireland and the US since 2013 and offers up to four flights a day between Dublin and Chicago O’Hare (ORD), New York (JFK) Philadelphia and Charlotte.
Aer Lingus recently announced a competing route between Dublin and Philadelphia which will take off next March 25, 2018.
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Would you be willing to pay more for a premium economy seat? Let us know about your favorite way to fly in the comments section, below.
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