KLM Premium Comfort Vs Delta Premium Select

There have been a few discussions in this thread about Delta’s Premium economy offering “Premium Select”. I know Premium economy is newer to US carriers so I wanted to give some insight into my experience flying both Premium Select and partner airline, KLM’s Premium Comfort.

Last year I flew Premium Select from LAX to SYD and the experience was okay. I paid $1900 CAD for my ticket and then did a paid upgrade for my wife and of $1000USD each to treat her to premium economy on such a long flight. The seat is comfortable, very similar to domestic FC. Good recline, large IFE screen, and a leg rest (which my wife thought was awkward but I loved it). However the service and food were essentially economy. We got the same meal as economy, just presented a bit nicer. There was a small amenity kit provided but beyond that, I’d describe it as economy but with a nicer seat.

Just yesterday I flew KLM from AMS to DXB in Premium Comfort class. I paid a total of $1800 CAD roundtrip from YYZ-DXB and did a $290 CAD upgrade to Premium Select on the AMS-DXB leg. When compared to Delta’s Premium Select cabin, KLM blew it away. It felt like I was in business class, just without the lie flat. We had a separate menu with three entree choices, ice cream for dessert (rather than a simple cookie handed out in Economy), and our second snack-type meal was different than economy as well. We had proper metal cutlery and FAs dedicated to our cabin. It was an awesome experience, especially for such a cheap upgrade.

This “business lite” experience was similar when I flew “Premium” on Westjet in September from NRT-YYC. Dedicated FAs, three entree choices, proper cutlery, etc. So it seems other carriers are just really surpassing Delta when it comes to premium economy.

Long story short, if you want to try Premium Economy and KLM offers the same trip as Delta such as DTW-AMS or ATL-AMS, I’d definitely go with KLM over Delta every time. Premium Select would be okay for me if the pricing wasn’t egregious. But on many flights, the PS price is 2-3 times what economy is but it’s not 2-3 times as good. It’s maybe 20% good…er But KLM has me sold on their premium economy option. I’ll definitely be doing upgrades at check in if my budget allows.

Those who have flown PS, did you feel you got the value you paid for and how does it compare to other Premium Economy flights you’ve taken?