Best Experience, Best Fares, Lowest Mileage Cost.
Last month we analyzed the best Premium Economy opportunities to
. This month we take our awards show to the South Pacific. And here they are (drumroll):
Let’s recap the show so far
Premium Economy has an A-list (PE Elite) and a B-list (PE Lite). The former refers to airlines that have created a separate cabin and an upgraded seat—among them, many international airlines as well as American and Delta—while the latter (United among them) are offering nothing more than a bit more legroom at the front of the economy cabin.
The Best PE Elite Airlines to South Pacific
Here’s a rundown—the seat and the cost to use miles or cash.
Air Canada
SEAT
Varies by aircraft: 18 to 20 inches wide, 38-inch pitch, 7- to 8-inch recline. 10.4- to 11-inch touch-screen (8.9 inches on the A330-333), adjustable headrest, foot bar, amenity kit (international flights), and upgraded meal service.
MILEAGE AWARD COST
135,000. Business Class is 25,000 miles more.
CASH
Varies by route. Vancouver-Sydney starts at US$1,850 versus US$5,344 in Business Class, and Vancouver-Brisbane costs US$1,851 (Business Class is US$4,952).Air New Zealand
SEAT
19.3 inches wide (with a 5-inch wide armrest), 41-inch pitch, 9-inch recline. 11-inch touchscreen monitor, leg and foot rest, adjustable winged headrest, amenity kit, and upgraded meal service.
MILEAGE AWARD COST
Varies by cost of ticket.
CASH
Fares start at $1,794 on Los Angeles-Auckland, versus $4,078 in Business Class, and on San Francisco-Sydney (connecting in Auckland) at $2,149, compared to $4,904 in Business Class.American
SEAT
19 inches wide, 38-inch pitch, 6-inch recline, 15.6-inch touch-screen monitor, foot, leg and head rests, amenity kit, and upgraded meal service.
MILEAGE AWARD COST
While it offers a PE Elite seat, AA currently does not offer Premium Economy mileage awards.
CASH
Varies by route: Los Angeles-Auckland (service ends in March) fares start at $1,603 versus $5,717 in Business Class; LAX-Sydney at $1,596 versus $4,895.Qantas (New Premium Economy Seat Offered on B787-9)
SEAT
22.8 inches wide, 38-inch pitch, 9.5-inch recline. 13.3-inch monitor, leg and foot rest, headrest with integrated pillow, amenity kit, and upgraded meal service. (First U.S. route to get the new seat is Los Angeles-Melbourne starting Dec. 15 on QF96 and QF95 flights.)
MILEAGE AWARD COST
Cost varies by route, as mileage program is based on flight distance. Los Angeles-Melbourne is 144,000 points in PE, and 192,000 points in Business Class.
CASH
Fares start at $2,246 on Los Angeles-Melbourne route, compared to $5,084 in Business Class.Virgin Australia
SEAT
19.5 inches wide, 41-inch pitch, 9-inch recline. 10.6-inch monitor, leg and foot rest, headrest, amenity kit, and upgraded meal service (Champagne cocktail and canapés served before take-off, and self-serve pantry with beverages and light refreshments).
MILEAGE AWARD COST
No U.S. mileage program offered.
CASH
Fares start at $2,196 on Los Angeles-Sydney, compared to $4,895 in Business Class, and on LAX-Melbourne start at $2,194 compared to $4,882 in Business Class.