Condor Premium Economy Review
I’ll be honest – the first time I paid extra for Premium Economy, I felt like a fool. “It’s basically still economy,” a friend had said, rolling his eyes. But somewhere over the Atlantic, around hour six of an eleven-hour flight, as I stretched my legs into actual empty space while the economy cabin behind me folded into pretzels, I knew I’d made the right call. Probably should have led with this, honestly: Premium Economy exists in that strange middle ground where skeptics see it as a rip-off and converts see it as essential. After flying Condor’s version several times, I lean firmly toward the convert camp.
Seating
The seats are the primary selling point, and Condor delivers here. We’re talking about 36 inches of pitch compared to the cramped 30-32 inches in standard economy. That might sound like a minor difference until you’ve experienced both on a transatlantic flight. Six extra inches means your knees aren’t embedded in the seat ahead of you when the passenger reclines.
The seats themselves are wider, feature adjustable headrests, and include footrests – a small touch that makes a surprising difference in comfort over long hauls. Enhanced recline means you can actually lean back without feeling like you’re performing some awkward yoga pose. Lumbar support is built in, which my lower back appreciates more with each passing year. That’s what makes these seats endearing to us frequent flyers – they acknowledge that human bodies weren’t designed to sit rigidly upright for half a day.
In-Flight Amenities
The experience begins at boarding with a welcome drink. It’s a small gesture, but it sets the tone. Amenity kits include the basics – toothbrush, eye mask, socks, earplugs – nothing revolutionary, but genuinely useful for overnight flights.
Meals represent a meaningful upgrade. The food isn’t Michelin-star quality, but it’s noticeably better than economy fare, served on actual plates with metal cutlery instead of wrapped plastic. Pre-ordering special meals accommodates dietary restrictions, and the portions feel appropriately sized rather than comically small.
Each seat gets a personal high-definition screen loaded with movies, TV shows, music, and games. Noise-canceling headphones help you actually hear whatever you’re watching. The entertainment library is deep enough that even on the longest flights, I haven’t exhausted the options that interest me.
Luggage Allowances
Premium Economy travelers get two checked bags up to 23kg each. For those of us who overpack chronically or travel with gear, this alone can justify the upgrade cost. The carry-on allowance is also generous, meaning you can bring everything you might need during the flight without playing Tetris with a tiny personal item.
Service Quality
Flight attendants in Premium Economy generally have fewer passengers to manage, which translates to more attentive service. Requests get addressed quickly. Drinks get refilled without heroic efforts to catch someone’s attention. It’s not first-class pampering, but it’s substantially better than the survival-mode service that crowded economy cabins sometimes produce.
On the ground, expedited check-in and priority boarding mean less time standing in lines. You board early enough to actually find overhead bin space – a minor luxury that regular economy passengers increasingly can’t take for granted. Priority deplaning saves time on arrival.
Airport Lounge Access
Some routes and ticket classes include lounge access, though it’s not standard. When available, lounges offer a quiet retreat from the terminal chaos – comfortable seating, complimentary food and drinks, Wi-Fi, sometimes showers. Worth checking when you book whether your specific fare includes this benefit.
Value for Money
Here’s the honest calculation: Premium Economy costs more than economy but significantly less than business class. For short flights, the upgrade probably doesn’t make sense. For anything over six hours? The comfort improvements genuinely matter. Arriving less exhausted has real value, especially if you need to function upon landing.
I think of it as paying for sleep and sanity. Whether that’s worth the premium depends on your budget and how much discomfort affects you. For me, on long-haul flights, the math works out in Premium Economy’s favor.
Customer Feedback
Reviews generally praise the seating comfort, meal quality, and attentive service. Complaints typically involve variability – some routes and aircraft deliver better experiences than others. Condor seems to take feedback seriously, making adjustments based on passenger input. That responsiveness matters in an industry where customer complaints often vanish into corporate voids.
Premium Economy won’t transform flying into a spa experience. But it significantly reduces the physical toll of long flights, and for many travelers, that improvement justifies the investment.
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