American Airlines Premium Economy: Madrid to Chicago Review

My week exploring southern Spain ended with a flight from Madrid to Chicago on American Airlines Flight 125—a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. It was also my first opportunity to experience American Airlines’ Premium Economy cabin on a transatlantic flight.

Would it live up to its reputation?

After more than eight hours in the air, I had my answer.

Spain still had one more lesson to teach me.

During my week exploring the sherry region around Jerez, I picked up enough bottles of sherry that most of my clothing ended up serving double duty as protective packing material.

By the time I reached the American Airlines check-in counter at Madrid-Barajas Airport, my suitcase weighed about 28 kilograms (62 pounds), well above the 23-kilogram (50-pound) baggage allowance.

The check-in agent smiled and suggested I remove a few items to avoid an overweight baggage fee.

I laughed and explained that leaving any bottles behind wasn’t really an option. I also joked that Iberia had shown me a little mercy a couple of days earlier.

She smiled, explained that American Airlines still had to charge something, then found a way to reduce the fee to about €28. It wasn’t expected, but it certainly was appreciated.

After checking my bag, I had enough time to browse the duty-free shops before heading to the gate. A few last-minute purchases joined me for the trip home.

Getting to the aircraft took an unexpected turn.

Boarding didn’t begin with a jet bridge.

Instead, passengers boarded buses that transported us to the Dreamliner parked on a remote stand before climbing mobile stairs to enter the aircraft.

It’s an airport operation rather than an American Airlines decision, but it was less convenient than boarding directly from the terminal.

Travelers with mobility concerns should contact the airline before departure to discuss available assistance if a remote stand is used.

Premium Economy passengers boarded with Group 4, giving me plenty of time to settle into Seat 9J.

The cabin fit this flight well.

The first thing I noticed was the additional space.

Premium Economy offers only a few extra inches of legroom compared with Main Cabin Extra, but the wider seat, greater recline, leg rest and footrest made a much bigger difference over an eight-hour flight.

The 2-3-2 cabin layout is another advantage. Couples can reserve the two-seat sections by the windows, while groups of three can sit together in the center. My aisle seat, 9J, was part of one of those two-seat sections.

I reclined my seat during the flight and appreciated the added comfort.

The experience also reminded me that seat recline comes with a little responsibility. The passenger seated directly in front of my seatmate remained deeply reclined for much of the flight. From my aisle seat, I could see how much it reduced her space during meal service and when she needed to step into the aisle because the fixed center console doesn’t move.

Premium Economy provides more room than the Main Cabin, but courtesy toward the passenger behind you still matters.

The quieter Dreamliner cabin made it easy to relax. The seatback entertainment system offered a large selection of movies, TV shows and music, while the larger screen, noise-reducing headphones, power outlet and USB charging kept the hours moving comfortably.

I kept the items I needed under the seat in front of me for easy access, while my duty-free purchases fit neatly in the overhead bin.

The meal and amenities met expectations.

I requested a low-fat, low-cholesterol meal before departure, and it met my expectations. Before landing in Chicago, the crew also served a lighter meal that was just enough before arriving home.

American Airlines supplied a pillow, blanket, noise-reducing headphones and an amenity kit with travel essentials. Those extra touches made the flight more comfortable without feeling over the top.

The trip ended with every bottle intact.

After landing in Chicago, I made my way through passport control and customs before heading to baggage claim.

My suitcase took a little longer to arrive, but fortunately every bottle of Spanish sherry made the journey safely.

Was American Airlines Premium Economy worth it?

Yes.

For me, American Airlines Premium Economy hits a sweet spot between Main Cabin and Business Class. The wider seat, additional personal space and upgraded service made the flight noticeably more comfortable than Main Cabin without the price tag of Business Class.

See how American Airlines’ long-haul cabins compare before you book.

I’d book American Airlines Premium Economy again.
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Suggested reading:

• Iberia Business Class Review
• The Sherry wines of Jerez, Spain

Featured image: American Airlines Premium Economy seats. Courtesy image