When you’re booking a long-haul flight, the temptation to upgrade can be hard to resist- especially on an overnight trip to Europe. Before my flight to Paris, I decided to upgrade to AA Premium Economy to see if the added comfort justified the extra cost. After spending nearly 9 hours in the air, here is my honest experience and whether Id choose it again.

Why I Decided to Upgrade

I’m 5’10”, so my height was the biggest reason I decided to upgrade. After I booked my flight, American Airlines sent me an offer through their app to move from economy to Premium Economy for a little over $400. It wasn’t something I had originally planned to do, but for an overnight flight to Paris, I figured I’d give it a try.

The upgrade also included priority boarding and priority baggage, which was a nice bonus before I even stepped onto the plane.

First Impressions

My seat was in a two-seat row by the window with another passenger in the aisle seat. The first thing I noticed was the extra width. While I don’t spill over into the next seat in economy, I’ve always felt a little cramped when I’m shoulder-to-shoulder with another passenger.

That feeling completely disappeared in Premium Economy.

The seat was noticeably more comfortable and reclined much farther than a standard economy seat. It almost had me convinced I might actually fall asleep…almost. 😂 Unless I’m heavily medicated, I simply do not sleep on airplanes, no matter how comfortable the seat is.

Another pleasant surprise was that when the passenger in front of me reclined, it didn’t affect my comfort at all. I never felt like they were in my personal space.

The Little Extras

The footrest ended up being one of those features I didn’t know I’d appreciate until I used it. It was nice to be able to elevate my feet during such a long flight.

Waiting at my seat was a welcome kit that included upgraded headphones, a blanket, skincare items, a sleep mask, and a pair of socks. There was also a pillow that was about the size of a family-size box of Cheerios. 😅 It wasn’t luxury-hotel quality, but it definitely beat the tiny pillows I’m used to.

Service

Honestly, I didn’t notice much difference in the flight attendants themselves. I think American’s crews do a good job regardless of which cabin you’re sitting in. The biggest difference is simply that they’re taking care of fewer passengers, so service naturally feels a little more attentive.

I did enjoy a couple of screwdrivers during the flight, even though they still weren’t enough to convince me to sleep.

The Moment That Sold Me

There was one unexpected moment that really showed me how much additional space Premium Economy gives you.

At one point during the flight, I got up to use the restroom and somehow managed to drop my phone without realizing it. When I returned to my seat, I couldn’t find it anywhere. I was actually able to bend over, crouch down in the footwell, and reach underneath my seat until I found it.

There’s absolutely no way I could have done that in a standard economy seat.

That little incident really put the extra space into perspective.

Was American Airlines Premium Economy Worth the Extra Cost?

For me, yes.

Nothing about the experience disappointed me. Between the wider seat, additional legroom, generous recline, footrest, priority boarding, priority baggage, and simply not feeling packed into the cabin, the upgrade made the journey to Paris much more enjoyable.

It’s hard not to love the feeling of being toward the front of the plane. It sets the tone for the trip before you even land. Instead of feeling like a sardine packed into a can, I arrived feeling much more relaxed and ready for the adventure ahead.

If you’re taller, have a larger frame, or simply want to make a long international flight more comfortable without paying business-class prices, I think American Airlines Premium Economy is definitely worth considering.

As for me? I’d absolutely pay for the upgrade again.

Quick Take: IMO the upgrade is always worth it, especially with a flight longer than 4 hours.

Forward Always, Shannon

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