Because of budgetary constrains, today's economy class seating sometimes feels a little inadequate. To address this, most airlines are now offering an interesting new seating class called 'premium economy'.  Premium economy seats are one step above coach yet not quite as ritzy as business class seats.  Generally, a premium economy ticket buys you a bit more legroom and a few extra perks such as priority check-in and/or additional storage space.  The fares vary greatly.  In some cases, you pay under $65 per extra inch of wriggle-room for your toes, whereas other airlines raise the price so close to business class it leaves you tempted to make the jump.  Some airlines, such as United, require you to purchase a yearly membership which enables you to book "premium economy" seating at the time of reservation. The following chart compares seat specifications by class, and also lists the 'goodies' each airline offers with their premium package.  As always, please verify information directly with the airline before booking a flight.  Perks and seat sizes are subject to change.

Airline	Seat Specs	Premium Perks
	Pitch Width Recline Economy 34" 17" 6" Premium 40" 18.5" 9" Business 76" 22" 180°	Priority check-in, power ports, additional storage space, leg rests. At three times the price of coach, premium economy is very expensive but comes with lots of perks, ample legroom, and generous recline.
	Pitch Width Recline Economy 34" 16.5" 7" Premium 38" 18.5" 7" Business 63" 20" 170°	Power ports, LAN ports (for internet access), additional storage space, leg rests. Costing roughly $200 per additional inch of legroom, ANA's premium economy is on the pricey side, but on long routes the extra four inches and added benefits are probably worth the splurge.
	Pitch Width Recline Economy 32" 18" 7" Premium 38" 18" 7" Business 60" 21" 160°	Priority check-in, access to business-class lounges, separate bathrooms, power ports, additional storage space, complimentary cocktails, upgraded meal service. The extras offered to BMI's premium economy passengers outclass those of any other carrier. With each additional inch costing less than $75, BMI's is also among the least expensive of all the premium economy classes, making its hard to navigate website worth the trouble.
	Pitch Width Recline Economy 32" 18" 5" Premium 38" 19" 7" Business 73" 20" 180°	Power ports, separate bathrooms. With a much better seat and these extras for a fare that's $3, 200 cheaper than business class, it's hard to argue.  Booking is easy to boot.
	Pitch Width Recline Economy 33" 18.3" 6.7" Premium 38" 18.5" 10.2" Business 47" 20.7" 136°	Separate bathrooms, individual seatback screens, upgraded meal service. The upgraded services, low cost for extra legroom ($86 per additional inch), and easy to use website make this a winner.  (A recent hot e-fare limited-time special was just $226 more than business).
	Pitch Width Recline Economy 32" 17.7" 5.3" Premium 37" 18.3" 7" Business 61" 20.4" 112°	Priority check-in and boarding, greater baggage allowance, complimentary pre-flight beverages, power ports, leg rests, bonus mileage. The seat is a big improvement over those in economy and the extras are considerable, but you pay for what you get; SAS's premium economy is more than twice the price of coach.
	Pitch Width Recline Economy 32" 18.5" 8" Premium 37" 20" 8" Business 58" 20" 180°	Nine-inch individual seatback screens, power ports, "passenger corners" with snacks and room to stretch. Since the cost is more than four times that of economy, you might as well go all the way and buy a business class ticket to enjoy of the best cabins in the sky.
	Pitch Width Recline Economy 36" 17.4" 7" Premium 42" 19" 7" Business 60" 20" 170°	Bonus Mileage.  This is a supreme value that Thai seems to want to keep a secret.  You won't find it on the carrier's website.  With the additional legroom costing just $84 per inch, this is unquestionably money well spent.
	Pitch Width Recline Economy 31" 18.3" 5" Premium 36" 18.3" 5" Business 55" 20" 150°	United's premium economy seats are sold on a space-available basis at the price of coach to those who enroll in its Economy Plus Access program (annual fee $299) and to its elite frequent fliers. Companions of Economy Plus Access members also receive the upgrade, making it an excellent value.
	Pitch Width Recline Economy 32" 17.5" 6" Premium 38" 20" 8" Business 59.5" 22" 180°	Priority check-in and boarding, pre-flight glass of champagne, separate bathrooms, leg rests, newspapers. With far roomier seats and many perks, Virgin's premium economy is well worth the relatively affordable leap from coach class.
	Pitch Width Recline Economy 31" 18.5" 7" Premium 37" 20" 8" Business 58" 20" 180°	Priority check-in and boarding, greater baggage allowance, complimentary cocktails, headsets. The seats on this budget carrier may not be the roomiest of all the premium economy class options, but the additional price per inch of legroom ($65) and the slew of extras make it a tempting offer.

Note: Pitch is the distance between one seat and the same point on the seat in front of it.