British Airways Premium Economy for Singaporeans

The experience of flying in economy has changed significantly. In recent years, many airlines have decreased legroom, added more seats per row, and reduced amenities. While business class is beyond the budget of many, premium economy presents a more comfortable alternative. British Airways' World Traveller Plus is often considered a strong contender in this class.

This section will review the BA World Traveller Plus, covering its onboard features, how it differs from economy, and tips for securing cost-effective tickets.

Find out more: Which credit card is best to buy airline tickets and hotels in 2025?

British Airways premium economy cabin is known as World Traveller Plus. 

World Traveller Plus is a separate cabin located closer to the front of the aircraft. It also offers wider seats and increased legroom compared to economy. Passengers enjoy priority boarding, a larger baggage allowance, two included meals, complimentary alcoholic beverages, noise-cancelling headphones for the entertainment system, and an amenity kit.

The other cabin classes offered by the airline are economy (Euro Traveller and World Traveller), business class, and first class.

Discover: How to score the best economy class seats

The primary advantage of British Airways premium economy over the economy class comes down to the increased seat comfort.

Compared to economy, British Airways premium economy offers more space. This is particularly beneficial for taller passengers, as they get 7 inches more legroom.

In addition to enhanced recline, British Airways premium economy seats feature a fold-out legrest and a fold-down footrest for added comfort.

The cabin layout includes a wide, fixed armrest between each seat. While this decreases individual seat size, it eliminates the common armrest-sharing disputes.

Depending on the aircraft, the British Airways premium economy cabin is configured in either a 2-3-2 or 2-4-2 arrangement. This is convenient for couples travelling together, allowing them to secure a pair of seats by the windows.

Each seat here is equipped with a large, vibrant 12-inch touchscreen offering a wide selection of entertainment. This represents a significant improvement from previous British Airways cabin offerings.

Below the entertainment screen, a storage tray is provided for personal items like phones, passports, or boarding passes, offering a convenient alternative to storing these items in pockets during the flight.

Find out more: Scoring cheap flight tickets: When to book international flights

In addition to the enhanced seating, British premium economy offers improved food and beverage service compared to economy.

This upgraded service begins before takeoff. Passengers are offered pre-departure drinks served in actual glassware. While sparkling wine is available during the flight, it is not offered as a pre-departure beverage.

Once airborne, World Traveller Plus passengers are set to receive two meals and complimentary bar service.

Shortly after takeoff, flight attendants offer passengers a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Furthermore, a choice of wine is typically provided with the dinner service.

Passengers in World Traveller Plus do not receive printed menus. Instead, flight attendants verbally present the meal options as they pass through the cabin. British Airways typically offers two choices — one vegetarian and one meat-based dish.

Meals are usually accompanied by a salad, a packaged bread roll, a dessert, and a selection of wines, generally including two red and two white options.

While the first meal is a hot dish that meets the standards of premium economy, the second meal is often a cold, pre-packaged offering. This second meal, while adequate, is not as good as the first.

Beyond the improved seating and dining, British Airways premium economy class also provides enhanced amenities and additional benefits, such as priority boarding. Here’s our review of the benefits.

World Traveller Plus amenities

Upon boarding, World Traveller Plus passengers typically find a small pillow, blanket, and a sealed package containing noise-cancelling headphones and an amenity kit at their seats.

The British Airways premium economy amenity kit usually includes a wide range of items like socks, eye masks and more.

Additional benefits of British Airways World Traveller Plus

• Increased Baggage Allowance: Premium economy passengers generally receive a more generous checked baggage allowance, which may make it worth the extra cost for many passengers.

• Boarding: British Airways World Traveller Plus passengers are given priority boarding.

• Universal Power Outlets: While the new BA economy cabin upgrade provides USB power outlets, World Traveller Plus seats still offer two universal power outlets between each pair of seats, in addition to a USB outlet.

As expected, flying in British Airways premium economy (World Traveller Plus) costs more than economy but less than business class.

For example, a fare search for a round-trip flight from Changi to London showed the following:

• 10:40 p.m. departure:

• Economy S$574

• Premium economy S$1,821 was almost triple the price of economy 

• Business class was still significantly more at S$5,437

A flight departing 40 minutes later at 11:20 p.m. had a slightly different price breakdown:

• Economy fare: S$480

• Premium economy: S$1,377 (premium economy was less than triple the cost of economy)

• Business class: S$2,985 (still more expensive)

For the return flight, the prices were:

• Economy: S$681

• Premium economy: S$1,809

• Business class: S$3,440

Choosing the more affordable outbound premium economy option resulted in a total round-trip cost of S$3,186, compared to S$1,161 in economy. 

The cheapest round-trip business class option would cost S$6,425.

1. Leverage credit card travel benefits

Many credit cards in Singapore offer travel-related perks that can indirectly reduce your flight costs. These include:

• Cashback or air miles: Some cards offer cashback on flight purchases or allow you to earn air miles that can be redeemed for future flights, effectively offsetting the initial cost.

• Travel insurance: Credit card travel insurance can save you money by covering unexpected events like flight delays or cancellations, reducing the need to purchase separate insurance policies.

• Airport lounge access: While not a direct flight discount, access to airport lounges can provide complimentary meals and drinks, saving you money on airport expenses.

By strategically using your credit cards, you can potentially lower your overall travel expenses and make the premium economy ticket more affordable.

2. Purchase your flight on an online portal

To potentially save on your British Airways premium economy fare, consider booking through a platform that offers flight promotions. Check SingSaver's page on the best credit card flight promotions and discounts in 2025 to explore current deals.

Find out more: Kris+ guide: How to (still) maximise miles with the best credit card pairings after its nerf

3. Sign up for a British Airways credit card

British Airways American Express® Cards offer potential savings and benefits for British Airways travel.

A key benefit is the Companion Voucher, earned by spending £15,000 each membership year on the card. This voucher allows you to either bring a companion in economy on the same flight or, if travelling solo, receive a 50% discount on the Avios price when booking a British Airways, Aer Lingus, or Iberia Reward Flight. (Note: Taxes, fees, and carrier charges apply per person.)

To be eligible for this card, applicants generally need to:

• Be aged 18 or over.

• Have a current UK bank or building society account.

• Have a permanent UK home address and phone number.

• Have no history of bad debt.

• If self-employed, have been working for more than one year.

If you have British Airways Avios points, you can also redeem them for award flights. Here's an example of a flight from Singapore to London redeemed using Avios points.

Comparing the pricing, an off-peak economy ticket costs 40,000 Avios + S$220 in taxes. Premium economy costs 55,000 Avios + S$400 in taxes. Do note that the taxes and fuel surcharges on award tickets can be significant and need to be accounted for.

Using our earlier example of a S$1,377 premium economy fare, redeeming Avios for this seat would yield a value of 1.78 cents per mile (S$1,377 - $400 / 55,000). If the cash fare was higher for your flight, redeeming Avios for the award ticket would be more advantageous.

Another factor to consider is British Airways' distance-based award chart. The Avios cost of your flight will vary depending on the distance between your origin and destination.

World Traveller Plus on British Airways provides a more comfortable and rewarding experience compared to economy. The key advantages include larger seats with increased legroom and reclining, improved meal and drink service, and extra perks like priority boarding and a higher baggage allowance. Moreover, frequent flyers can earn more miles and elite status credits.

How to make the most of your rewards

Choose an air mile credit card that aligns with your needs. Here are some of the top air mile credit card recommendations for 2025 in Singapore.

• Best for online shoppers: Citi Rewards Card

• Our pick for contactless users: UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Card

• Ideal for category spenders: UOB Lady's Solitaire Card

• Flexible spenders: UOB Lady's Card

• Best for luxury perks: American Express Platinum Credit Card

• Our pick for affluent travellers: Citi Prestige Card