Why premium economy matters to corporate programmes
On a growing list of routes, it has earned its way onto the corporate travel policy as a legitimate alternative to J. The question travel managers used to ask about PE, whether it was credible at all, has been replaced by a sharper one: on which routes does it actually do the job?
The Best Premium Economy Experience award, part of the Travelling for Business Awards 2026, recognises the carrier whose PE product corporate travel buyers actually recommend. The category exists because the segment now matters: premium economy load factors and yields have moved decisively in recent years, and the airlines investing in dedicated cabins, separation, catering uplift, ground priority, are increasingly visible in GBTA research.
Eligible carriers must offer a discrete premium economy cabin with a marketed product separate from extra-legroom economy. Public benchmarks from Skytrax cabin ratings and APEX passenger ratings inform the panel’s view alongside submitted evidence and reporting in Travelling for Business magazine.
The credibility question, when does PE actually replace business class on policy, and where is the airline pricing itself in or out of corporate consideration, is the editorial spine of the award. This category sits alongside Best Long-Haul Airline and Best Business Class Experience; carriers entering all three are typical, and each award is judged independently.
The 2026 panel includes corporate buyers who specify PE in policy. Sponsorship opportunities are open – see the sponsorship page.
The premium economy award is judged through one question: does this product credibly replace business class on policy? Seat dimensions and pitch are the baseline, but the meaningful test is the catering uplift over economy, meal quality, beverage range, service cadence. Cabin separation and the consistency of crew service set the perceived value. Ground experience matters too: priority check-in, baggage and boarding decide whether the product feels premium before take-off. Above all, judges look at value on key routes, when does PE earn its place on the travel policy, and where is the airline pricing itself in or out of corporate consideration?
Airlines operating a Premium Economy cabin on scheduled services.
Entries open: 1 June 2026
Shortlist announced: 15 August 2026
Winners announced: 22 October 2026
Free to enter. Editorially judged. Five minutes to submit.
Need to send large files? Email awards@cbmeg.co.uk with the category name in the subject.
One sponsor. No competing brands. Once secured, the category closes. Investment from £7,500.
