There are plenty of airlines flying transatlantic that have very comfortable premium economy seats. The best ones are, to a large degree, a matter of personal taste. For some, the low-cost carrier Norse Atlantic’s premium seats could be even more comfortable. After all, the airline’s CEO stated they are essentially business class seats labeled as premium economy seats for tax purposes. This article will consider the three US and two British mainline carriers that fly transatlantic.
Most of these flights are with widebody aircraft, although transatlantic flights can be anything from the narrowbody Boeing 757 (Delta, United) to the giant Airbus A380 (British Airways only). This article will consider the premium economy seating options on new Airbus A350 airliners. If the airline doesn’t operate A350s, then Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be considered. In the aviation industry, first class is in decline and has disappeared from US-based carriers, while premium economy is booming around the world, with many airlines rushing to refit their airliners with premium economy seats.
British Airways
38-inch pitch Recaro PL3510 seats
British Airways is one airline offering excellent and refreshed premium economy seats on its flights. Passengers enjoy two meals and complimentary bar service. BA provides noise-cancelling headphones and a stylish amenity kit made from recycled plastic bottles. As is typical for premium economy, the seats are in a separate, smaller cabin with wider seats and more legroom. British Airways operates a widebody fleet made up of Airbus A350s, Airbus A380s, Boeing 777s, and Boeing 787s. It plans to replace its older 777s with the upcoming 777X.
On the new Airbus A350-1000 airliners, premium economy comes with Recaro PL3510 seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration. The seats feature power outlets and have four-way adjustable headrests along with a retractable bi-folding table. When it comes to dimensions, the row pitch is 38 inches, the seat width is 18.7 inches, and the seat recline is eight inches. Entertainment is via a 12-inch HD touch screen display.
|
Free in-flight Wi-Fi |
Aircraft able to fly transatlantic routes |
Main transatlantic hubs |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
British Airways |
Rolling out 2026 |
A350, A380, 777, 787 |
London-Heathrow, London-Gatwick |
|
Virgin Atlantic |
Rolling out 2026/2027 |
A330, A350, 787 |
London-Heathrow, Manchester |
|
Delta Air Lines |
Yes (rolling out) |
A330, A350, 767 |
Boston, Atlanta, New York-JFK |
|
United Airlines |
No (MileagePlus members & for fee) |
767, 777, 787 |
NY-Newark, Washington-Dulles, Chicago-O’Hare |
|
American Airlines |
No |
777, 787 |
New York-JFK, Philadelphia, Chicago-O’Hare |
British Airways says, “seats on our premium economy flights are wider, with greater recline, lumbar support, a head and foot rest, plus extra leg room to stretch out.” With premium economy, passengers enjoy a double baggage allowance and are able to check in up to two bags into the hold. British Airways even offers the AirPortr service that collects baggage from one’s doorstep and takes it to the airport, and checks it in so that passengers can travel to the airport baggage-free and skip the queue to go straight to security.
Virgin Atlantic
38-inch pitch Collins Aerospace MiQs
Virgin Atlantic specialises in long-haul flights, with a major focus on transatlantic routes. It is notable for only operating widebody aircraft. The airline also offers excellent seating options, coming with extra-large seats and improved services. On the A350s, premium economy seats offer 38 inches in seat pitch and a seat recline of seven inches. The seat width is almost the same as that of British Airways at 18.5 inches. That said, the HD touchscreen is somewhat larger at 13.3 inches.
Like BA, Virgin Atlantic passengers enjoy a double baggage allowance, meaning they can check in two 23kg (50 lbs) bags. The configuration on these aircraft is the same as BA, 2-4-2. Passengers are greeted with a “glass of bubbly” when they board the aircraft, having enjoyed premium check-in and priority boarding. Passengers in this class are also able to pre-order from the premium menu, although that service is only available on certain routes. Virgin Atlantic is not among the airlines offering free in-flight Wi-Fi, although it is available from £2.99 (around $4.00). British Airways is now set to roll out free in-flight Wi-Fi on its aircraft starting in 2026.
This will be through SpaceX’s Starlink and will be available for all passengers, regardless of cabin class. Meanwhile, Virgin can’t be left behind and so is also set to start rolling out its free in-flight Wi-Fi (also Starlink) on its aircraft starting in the third quarter of 2026. The rollout is expected to be completed in 2027. Virgin Atlantic’s fleet is made up of A330s, A350s, and Boeing 787s. The older A330-300s are being replaced by new A330neos, with the older aircraft expected to retire by 2027. After that, Virgin will have an all-modern fleet.
The Airlines That Offer Plenty Of Premium Economy Seats On US Flights To Europe
While premium economy isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, it certainly represents an important market on the transatlantic corridor.
Delta Air Lines
38-inch pitch Recaro CL3710 seats
As premium economy seating becomes more and more popular, Delta is offering more Delta Premium Select offerings. It has even introduced premium economy on select domestic routes, such as JFK-LAX flights. Delta already offers free fast Wi-Fi offered by T-Mobile, which is being expanded to its entire fleet. Delta Premium Select debuted in 2017 and is now available on most of Delta’s transpacific and transatlantic routes, as well as some routes to Latin America. Delta is notable for having a 1,000-strong mainline fleet and is transitioning to an all-Airbus widebody fleet. Its remaining 767-300ERs are being phased out, although it will continue to operate its 767-400ERs for some time.
On its fleet of Airbus A350s, Collins MiQ premium economy seats are configured as 2-4-2, having a 38-inch seat pitch, a seat width of 18.5 inches, and a 13.3-inch touchscreen display. Customers enjoy what is expected of the class, including noise-cancelling headsets, a plush blanket, an adjustable footrest, a leg rest, and the option to re-select their desired first service entrée. At the airport, passengers holding a premium economy ticket are eligible for Sky Priority service, which includes a dedicated check-in and baggage service.
Notably, Delta’s premium economy seats are almost the same as the first-class seats found on its regional Airbus A220s. That said, not all the services are the same; for example, first class (Delta One) passengers can expect better wine choices. It should be noted that the experience can vary, depending on aircraft type. The foot and leg rest, 13.3″ in-flight entertainment screen, and noise-cancelling headphones are not available on the 757-200, 737-800, and 737-900ER aircraft. Boeing 757s are used on some transatlantic routes.
United Airlines
38-inch pitch Collins Aerospace MiQ seats
United Airlines has some great premium economy options. It is one of just four US-based airlines offering transatlantic flights (the others being American, Delta, and JetBlue). Like BA and Virgin, passengers are able to enjoy priority check-in and boarding while also being able to check in two bags. On the other end, passengers can expect priority bag handling and be among the first to receive their checked bags after the flight.
On the aircraft, passengers have noise-reducing headphones, meals, free alcoholic drinks, in-seat power, a 13-inch screen, and an improved amenity kit. They can get a free pre-arrival meal before landing and select from a range of beers, wines, liqueurs, and soft drinks. United Premium Plus on its Boeing 787-9s features Collins Aerospace MiQ seats configured 2-3-2. These come with a seat width of 18.7 inches, a seat recline of up to six inches, and a seat pitch of 38 inches.
Notably, the A350’s internal cabin width is a little wider than the 787’s. The old A350 production standard had a cabin width of 18 feet and five inches, while the new production standard has an internal width of 18 feet and nine inches. This gives the aircraft five to nine more inches in width. But that is not enough to fully compensate for another row (2-4-2 premium economy configured A350s). In other words, the narrower 787 configured 2-3-2 will have more room per passenger than the A350 configured 2-4-2.
American Airlines
38-inch pitch Collins Aerospace MiQ seats
Premium economy fares are available on American Airlines Boeing 777-300Rs, 787-9s, Boeing 777-200ERs, and the Boeing 787-8s that fly internationally and to Alaska. The services and benefits (e.g., priority check-in, two checked bags) common to the airlines above are also offered by American in this class. American adds, “Flying with AAdvantage status? You can enjoy even more benefits like extra bag allowances, lounge access and more.“
American Airlines Boeing 787-9 premium economy seats come with Collins Aerospace MiQ seats configured 2-3-2. They have row pitches of 38 inches, a seat width of 19 inches, and a seat recline of eight inches, while the touchscreens are 11.5 inches. American Airlines started rolling out the first of its refreshed cabins in 2025. The premium seats in this new configuration retain the same dimensions, although the screens are larger (13.3 inches) and the Collins seats are replaced by Safran Z535i recliner seats.
Separately, American Airlines is the final US airline to do away with first class as it transitions to its new cabin interiors. The giant airline’s widebody fleet is exclusively made up of Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft, although it has not placed any orders for the upcoming 777X. By contrast, Delta operates an Airbus widebody fleet composed of A330s and A350s, although it also has legacy 767s that are being phased out. United also has an all-Boeing (767, 777, 787) widebody fleet, but has A350s on order.