There is one big difference between business class and premium economy

Is it worth upgrading from premium economy to business class on Singapore Airlines? We investigate.

I consider it an anti-superpower – I cannot sleep on a flight, no matter what. And yes, that includes being tucked into a sheepskin-lined, full-flat bed in first class. So is it worth upgrading from premium economy to business class for me?

Regardless of the fact I cannot sleep through a long-haul flight, for me it’s about the whole on-board experience – the meal upgrade, the wider seats with more leg room and, yes, even the ability to lie flat to watch movies, read my book and listen to podcasts. After all, comfort is comfort on a 13-hour flight, whether you’re awake or asleep. I flew premium economy on Singapore Airlines' A380-800 from Sydney to Singapore, then upgraded to business class for the inaugural Singapore to Brussels leg on its A350-900 to see if it’s worth the thousands of dollars or points purge to get comfy at 35,000 feet.

The Airport Experience

The check-in queue for premium economy at Sydney International Airport was no different to the economy class one, but neither line was long with three hours to go before departure. I spent my pre-flight time browsing shops and treated myself to avocado toast with a poached egg for breakfast at The Bistro by Wolfgang Puck.

The experience was vastly different at Singapore’s Changi Airport, where I checked in to the SilverKris Business Class Lounge several hours before my 11.55pm flight to Brussels. As I had spent the day exploring Singapore in all her humid glory, the best part about the lounge was having a shower in a roomy bathroom stocked with all the necessary toiletries, including a hairbrush (a relief as I had accidentally packed mine into checked luggage).

The SilverKris Lounge is large, with several eating spaces, covering everything from nuggets and chips to made-to-order laksa, as well as serve-yourself alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and a full bar.

The premium economy seat is noticeably wider than economy, but it’s the leg room that sets it apart. Picture: Supplied.

Seat And Cabin

For my premium economy flight, I was seated in a middle seat in the middle section – a 3-4-3 configuration – which meant I did not have aisle access. I don’t know about you, but this rings immediate anxiety bells for me at the prospect of spending the next eight hours limiting coffee and water intake for fear of having to wake the stranger next to me for repeated trips to the bathroom. The premium economy seat is noticeably wider than economy, but it’s the leg room that sets it apart. The foot rest was so far away, I had to point my toes to reach it – what a luxury. And while I didn’t feel that the seat reclined enough for proper comfort, the calf rest made a huge difference.

There were also plenty of cool slots to pop your phone, bottled water and bits and pieces, as well as several USB ports and a power socket for charging.

No matter how you look at it, there’s no comparison between a reclined seat and a full business class pod that includes a seat that reclines to various degrees and converts to a flat bed. But while the option to lie down was great, I found the cushioning too hard, which I feel added to my inability to sleep, and the leg space of the bed narrows to one corner of the pod – not ideal for those taller than my five feet.

For dinner, I had a smoked salmon and boiled egg salad. Picture: Mercedes Maguire.

Culinary Experience

A fancy new addition to premium economy and higher is the ability to choose your meal from the Book the Cook options up to 24 hours before departure. I enjoyed a Singapore Sling before a cold soba noodle salad with yuzu dressing and smoked salmon, classic beef Bourguignon with creamy mash and broccolini, and apple crumble with vanilla sauce.

A few hours before landing, a dinner of smoked salmon salad, pork fricassée with lentils, and chocolate orange cake was served – and unlike the usual in-flight dessert options served up in economy, this one was entirely edible. In business class, meals are served in courses over a white linen tablecloth with porcelain crockery and accompanied by premium drinks including Piper-Heidsieck Champagne.

For dinner, a smoked salmon and boiled egg salad was followed by a classic Singaporean chicken rice and ice-cream from the bulging dessert trolley. Breakfast was a croissant, fresh fruit and scrambled eggs with sauteed spinach, sausages, baked beans and potato rosti – all delicious.

The only real reason you will spend thousands more for business class is to lie down flat. Picture: Supplied.

The Verdict

Premium economy and business were neck-and-neck when it came to food, entertainment and service. But let’s face it, the only real reason you will spend thousands more is to lie down flat. Even if you don’t sleep a wink.

Entertainment

The movie, TV, music and podcast selections were extensive but the same for premium economy and business class; the difference was that in the former you enjoyed it from a 13.3-inch screen, while in the latter, from an 18-inch monitor and sitting or lying a lot further back.

The Cost

Premium economy

Singapore Airlines flies from Sydney to Singapore four times daily from $2200 return.

Business class

Singapore Airlines flies the new Singapore to Brussels route four times weekly from $5840 return.

The writer was a guest of Singapore Airlines.

Originally published as There is one big difference between business class and premium economy