American Airlines - Premium Economy: New York to Madrid

Cabin Class: Premium Economy

Route: New York to Madrid   

Meal: Special - Vegan (VGML) 

Aircraft: Boeing 777-200ER

It’s been a few years since first trialing American Airlines’ version of Premium Economy. This mini cabin between Business and Economy, a segment that’s grown in popularity in the last several years (though to be fair, it’s been 32 years since its debut on Virgin Atlantic), has become commonplace on most long haul carriers. In fact, those who’ve historically shied away from it are jumping onboard, capitalizing on its lucrative revenue generation. For instance, we’ve recently seen the likes of Emirates introduce—and arguably perfect it; and continue to roll it out to its fleet, while others follow suit, bolstering their respective offerings.

Recently we had the opportunity to pop back on American, from New York to Madrid, to see if we could spot any material updates. After all, they were the first US-based carrier to introduce the product in 2017. All told, things largely remain the same (which isn’t a bad thing per se). Some of our observations:

🧳: The Cabin: We were delighted to see a refreshed cabin featuring a modern, updated space complete with mood lighting, refurbished seat coverings, updated amenity kits, etc.
🧳: In-flight Entertainment (IFE): Though still functional and easy to navigate with more than plenty of options to keep one entertained, the apparatus itself and interface could use a refresh. It’s starting to show its age. This is an offering wide observation, so not necessarily only applicable to this cabin.
🧳: WiFi Connectivity: This is an area American could use a strategy change - the hefty $35 flight duration charge, with no access to complimentary messaging, is increasingly becoming an archaic notion.
🧳: Food and Beverage: A couple choices for Premium Economy, plus plentiful alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverage selections. The pre-ordered special meal (Vegan) was surprisingly good and a welcome departure from what can sometimes be uninspiring selections.

Overall, a mostly pleasant ride with some less competitive offerings though a pretty solid ride for the transatlantic hop.

Ibiza, Island of Beaty; A brief memo

Sure, Ibiza, one of the islands in the Balearic sea, has long been synonymous with hedonism and debauchery of all manner, and to be sure, it wears this designation well. But, did you know that it’s also a place of immense natural beauty, lush landscapes, stunning beaches, and immaculate sunsets? If you’re looking for an alternative, a place to simply relax and chill, eat delicious food, take in the bountifulness of nature, it’s certainly an excellent option. 

For bespoke itineraries, do not hesitate to get in touch. We’re at your service. 

Eleventh Fl. Suites: A Remarkable Stay in Cagliari, Sardinia

I had a most remarkable experience staying at the delightful B&B, Eleventh Floor Suites, in Cagliari. Roberta, its host, is quite a gem. She's one of those people whom one immediately feels connected to. She's a nurturer at heart, and this innate ability shines through in the way she's crafted a most comfortable and inspiring space. The B&B feels like home away from home owning to her care, its comfortability, and the delicious breakfast spread served daily. It was truly a blissful experience. 

With such perfection, it's really hard to fault it. In the spirit of having something constructive to add however, perhaps kettles for tea in the bedrooms could be just be a tad more convenient (note: this is present in the common lounge area as is coffee - espresso or drip, and ample snacks for those peckish moments).

When in Cagliari, there couldn’t be a better place to stay. For bespoke itineraries to Sardinia, do not hesitate to get in touch. We’re happy to help. Also check-out the full Sardinia feature in the On Location section.

Save 15% or more on your 2024 Summer Getaway!

Wheels-up, Up Front

Dinner Service Aboard British Airways Club World (Business Class)

Let’s face it, provided the means, one would be hard-pressed to find a reason to elect to fly in the back cabin vs. upfront where it’s much roomier with added luxuries and creature comforts.
With fully-flat beds in (in some cases) fully enclosed suites, gourmet chef-inspired meals, premium beverages, lounge access and so on, it’s no wonder these come w/ hefty price tags.
The savvy traveler however can oftentimes workout how to circumvent some of these hefty costs via leveraging alternative currencies (credit card points), to secure upgrades or pay for the entire trip outright (another topic entirely), so it certainly isn’t beyond reach.

Over the years we’ve had the opportunity to try some of these premium cabins - some we’ve enjoyed more than others (they certainly aren’t all created equal, so be mindful). To inspire a future trip, we’ve featured a handful here including Emirates, Etihad, British Airways, Swiss & Iberia.