British Airways’ premium economy deal is rated worst in poll by Which?… but where does your favourite airline rank?

It’s the country’s prestigious flag-carrying airline, but British Airways has the worst premium economy and business-class cabins, according to a survey.

Which? surveyed more than 2,000 passengers and asked them to rate airlines on their customer service, food and drink, value for money, boarding, seat comfort, entertainment, cleanliness and cabin environment.

Passengers who had flown premium economy on British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines and TUI Airways gave British Airways a score of just 58 per cent, the lowest of the four.

The airline was given three stars for boarding, food and drink, seat comfort and in-flight entertainment and just two stars for value for money. 

Virgin Atlantic topped the premium economy table with a score of 79 per cent.

Which? surveyed more than 2,000 passengers and asked them to rate airlines on their customer service, food and drink, value for money, boarding, seat comfort, entertainment, cleanliness and cabin environment

Passengers who had flown premium economy on British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines and TUI Airways gave British Airways a score of just 58 per cent, the lowest of the four

As part of its survey, Which? analysed the prices of long-haul flights and found that, on average, premium economy was 99 per cent more expensive than economy.

Flying business, meanwhile, costs about five and a half times more than economy, turning a £700 economy ticket into one that can cost nearly £4,000. 

The consumer champion also asked passengers to rate business-class cabins on Qatar Airways, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Air Canada and Emirates.

British Airways came bottom again, with a score of 62 per cent, and was criticised for its short-haul business-class seats, some of which have just 30in of legroom. Qatar Airways scored 84 per cent.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: ‘While the name conjures a certain image of luxury, it’s often unclear whether “premium economy” is quite as premium as it promises – and crucially, whether it’s worth the hefty price tag. 

‘Our research found a real variation in standards between airlines. While (some) wowed travellers with excellent customer service and top-notch facilities, passengers were left underwhelmed by others.’

British Airways said: ‘We’ve been investing in our premium customer experience and our own customer satisfaction scores – which offer much more detailed insight than Which? – have risen sharply.’