We size up the newest entrants to the premium-economy field to find out what they deliver and which ones are— and aren't—worth the splurge

ICELANDAIR 757
Seat Specs
Pitch: 31.9" (Economy); 33.1" (Premium Economy); 39" (Business)
Width: 16.9" (Economy); 18.9" (Premium Economy); 21" (Business)
Recline: 21° (Economy); 21° (Premium Economy); 21° (Business)
Sample Round-Trip Fare
Boston-Reykjavik
$747 (Economy); $1,153 (Premium Economy); $2,212 (Business)
Extras
Premium Economy: Dedicated check-in; greater baggage allowance; access to airport lounges; upgraded meal service; power port; foot rest; complimentary wine, beer, headsets, blankets, and pillows
Business: Amenity kit; noise-canceling headset
Bottom Line:
Not a great deal. For double the coach fare, the extra inch of legroom seems stingy, though free wine may take the sting out of the tight quarters.

JAPAN AIRLINES 777
Seat Specs
Pitch: 31.2" (Economy); 38.4" (Premium Economy); 61.2" (Business)
Width: 17.6" (Economy); 19.2" (Premium Economy); 19.6" (Business)
Recline: 121° (Economy); 120° (Premium Economy); 171° (Business)
Sample Round-Trip Fare
San Francisco-Tokyo
$1,069 (Economy); $2,194 (Premium Economy); $6,853 (Business)
Extras
Premium Economy: Dedicated check-in; access to airport lounges; amenity kit; additional snacks; noise-canceling headsets; power port; leg rest
Business: Upgraded meal service; sleeper seat; 15.4-inch video monitor
Bottom Line:
You'll be paying nearly double the price of coach, but it's worth it for the extra stretching room, especially on marathon flights like this 14-hour one.

OPEN SKIES 757
Seat Specs
Pitch: 52" (Premium Economy); 73" (Business)
Width: 20.6" (Premium Economy); 20" (Business)
Recline: 140° (Premium Economy); Flat-bed (Business)
Sample Round-Trip Fare
New York-Paris
$1,550 (Premium Economy); $3,205 (Business)
Extras
Premium Economy: See "Top-Flight Service"
Business: Access to airport lounges; upgraded amenity kit and meal service
Bottom Line:
Prem Plus is a standouta business-class experience at fares that often fall below other airlines' premium economy.

QANTAS A380
Seat Specs
Pitch: 31" (Economy); 38"-42" (Premium Economy); 80" (Business)
Width: 17.8" (Economy); 19.5" (Premium Economy); 20.5" (Business)
Recline: 6" (Economy); 9" (Premium Economy); Flat-bed (Business)
Sample Round-Trip Fare
Los Angeles-Sydney
$1,116 (Economy); $6,345 (Premium Economy); $15,057 (Business)
Extras
Premium Economy: Seats on upper deck; amenity kit; upgraded meal service; leg rest; noise-canceling headsets
Business: Sleeper seat with lumbar massage; upgraded meal service; premium wines; 12.1-inch video monitor; upper-deck lounge area; self-service bar; pajamas
Bottom Line:
At more than twice the price of coach, it's pretty pricey, but considering the length of the flight, Qantas's premium-economy class is a great value. Moreover, if you book a ticket on the A380, it's a chance to fly on the world's biggest plane on one of its first U.S. routes. Both the A380 and the smaller 747 have the same great extras.