If you’re tired of flying basic economy, premium economy and business class fares offer a range of extra perks and luxuries.
Once you fly business class, it’s hard to go back. With premium economy and business classes, airlines are making it easier to treat yourself to seats that are a little more roomy and comfortable, plus other small luxuries that make the added fare price worth every penny. If you have a flexible fare budget but don't know whether to splash out on premium economy versus business class, compare the differences here.
Premium economy vs. business class
Feature | Premium economy | Business class |
|---|---|---|
Seat size | Wider than economy with extra legroom and recliner | Larger recliner seats, often lie-flat or fully flat beds |
Seat configuration | Similar layout to economy | More spacious layouts, direct aisle access on many aircraft |
Food & drinks | Upgraded meals compared to economy, often served on real dishes | Restaurant-quality meals, multi-course service, premium alcohol options |
Entertainment | Larger screens or better headphones compared to economy | Larger screens, higher-end headphones, sometimes enhanced content options |
Baggage allowance | Increased allowance vs. economy, often up to two checked bags | Usually two or more checked bags, heavier limits |
Check-in & boarding | Priority check-in and sometimes priority boarding | Dedicated check-in counters, priority boarding, fast-track security |
Lounge access | Usually not included | Included access to airport lounges |
Service level | Slightly more attentive than economy | Highly personalized service with lower passenger-to-crew ratio |
Price | Mid-range, typically no more than 2x economy fare | High-end, often 3–6x economy fare or more |
Amenity kits | Sometimes included on long-haul flights | Standard, often premium branded kits |
Privacy | Limited | Increased privacy, sometimes with partitions or suites |
What is premium economy?
Premium economy is a dedicated section of the economy cabin, usually located at the front. It offers a comfortable travel experience without a major change in fare prices. The primary upgrade is the seat itself, which is wider and has more legroom than standard economy seats. Depending on the airline, premium economy usually comes with several upgrades, often including more carry-on and checked bag allowances, priority boarding, and complimentary in-flight food and beverages.
What is business class?
Business class offers a luxurious travel experience in a separate cabin. Amenities and perks vary by airline, but they generally include all the benefits of premium economy, plus private pods with lie-flat seats and privacy screens, personal stowage space, and extra space to work or relax.
Passengers often receive complimentary food, beverages, and entertainment options exclusive to the business cabin, all provided with personalized flight attendant service. At the airport, guests may have access to exclusive lounges.
What’s the difference between the perks in premium economy and business class?
Premium economy and business fares share some similarities, such as priority screening and boarding, checked baggage, and complimentary refreshments, but their differences are significant. Premium economy is essentially an upgrade from standard economy, and while it's notably more comfortable, it doesn't match the luxury amenities of business-class fares.
What’s the price difference between premium economy and business?
Fare differences between premium economy and business class vary, but there are usually large gaps between prices. Premium economy costs 30% to 100% more than economy, and once you factor in the cost of checked bags, that difference becomes even less. Business class, however, can cost several times more than standard economy fares.
WestJet vs. Air Canada premium economy
WestJet and Air Canada offer premium economy as a step up from economy with similar core inclusions, including extra legroom, upgraded meals, two checked bags, and priority airport services. On long-haul flights, both airlines have a dedicated premium economy area with comparable seating layouts and spacing.
Air Canada premium economy fares are available across a wider range of long-haul routes and aircraft. WestJet’s premium economy experience is available on both wide-body and narrow-body aircraft under the same premium branding.
Feature | WestJet premium economy | Air Canada premium economy |
|---|---|---|
Cabin configuration | Mix of dedicated cabin (787) and front section on 737 | Dedicated premium economy cabin on widebody aircraft |
Seating | Extra legroom and wider seats, specs vary by aircraft | Wider recliner seats |
Inflight entertainment | Varies by aircraft | Seat-back screens standard on long-haul aircraft |
Meals and beverages | Complimentary meals/snacks and drinks on eligible flights | Complimentary meals/snacks and drinks on eligible flights |
Baggage allowances | Two checked bags included | Two checked bags included |
Airport perks | Priority check-in, security, and boarding | Priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling |
Lounge access | Not included | Not included (unless via status or purchase) |
Points eligibility | WestJet Rewards earning (varies by fare) | Aeroplan points earning, typically higher accrual rates |
Additional perks/amenities | Additional perks/amenities | Amenity kit on long-haul, larger pillows/blankets |
WestJet vs. Air Canada business class
WestJet is newer to business class offerings, but it's largely similar to Air Canada. The biggest distinction between WestJet and Air Canada business classes is availability.
WestJet offers a single, consistent business class exclusively on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring lie-flat pods. Air Canada operates multiple business class configurations across a wider range of aircraft, so the experience varies by route, from full lie-flat pods on long-haul flights to recliner-style seats on shorter routes.
Feature | WestJet business class | Air Canada business class |
|---|---|---|
Cabin configuration | Only on Boeing 787, single consistent cabin | Multiple cabin types across aircraft |
Seating | Lie-flat pods with privacy screens | Mix of lie-flat pods and recliner seats, depending on route |
Inflight entertainment | Seatback screens on 787 | More standardized system across fleet |
Meals and beverages | Multi-course meals and premium drinks | Multi-course meals with broader menu options |
Baggage allowances | Included with higher limits | Included, varies by fare |
Airport perks | Priority services included | Priority services across more routes and airports |
Lounge access | Partner or third-party lounges | Maple Leaf Lounge access |
Points eligibility | WestJet Rewards earning | Aeroplan points plus broader partner earning |
Additional perks/amenities | Mattress pad on long-haul, amenity kit, turn-down service | Amenity kit, bedding on long-haul, upgraded kits on select routes |
Which airlines have the best business class?
Skytrax, a consumer aviation agency, awards outstanding airlines annually with a spot on its list of the World’s Best Airlines. It’s like the Oscars, but for flights instead of blockbusters.
Here is the 2025 top 10 Best Business Class list:
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Frequently asked questions: Premium economy vs. business class
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