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Flying premium on tui

8 replies

ducksfizz · 04/08/2025 07:06

Is it worth the cost? 9 hour flight to the Caribbean, return being overnight. With three kids, youngest age 3. I’ve currently selected economy extra leg room seats but wondered if anyone knows how this really differs in terms of space and comfort in premium?

OP posts:
Happyasapiginshit · 04/08/2025 09:32

I think a lot depends on the extra cost overall. We recently flew premium on TUI (2 adults and 2 young teens) and we thought it was worth it on the 10 hour flight, but it did end up being about £2k more on the overall cost. The benefits for us were:
•fast check in (although the normal line looked like it moving) and fast pass security (but that’s cheap to buy as an extra)
•lounge access at the departure airport (we’d usually eat breakfast at the airport, so that was a small saving)
•seats were spacious and comfortable. They were big enough that I didn’t feel confined or irritated if the person in front reclined, and I didn’t feel guilty when I wanted to recline. This was important for me because i feel stressed about reclining on someone and causing them discomfort.
•service was attentive throughout the flight, and the cabin crew were lovely.
•pretty constant bar service (not sure what non premium is like with TUI though)
•food was marginally better than your usual plane food, with better cutlery
•rituals amenities kit (on the outbound flight only, so keep hold of it!) was a nice touch
•bags first off
•you get to board first

The main benefit for us was the bigger seat, meaning we were more rested after the flight, and the jet lag wasn’t quite as bad. One of my dc is a very nervous flier, so part of us booking it was to make it a better experience for him, and it worked (no panicking and our most recent non-premium flight was easier for him after having a good experience).

worth noting that the entertainment is the same.

I did a bit of research beforehand, and one tip that kept coming up was to try to avoid rows 8&9 - if they change the aircraft to a smaller one, these rows get bumped to economy (although this didn’t happen on our flight)

on balance, I would do it again if the price wasn’t too prohibitive.

ducksfizz · 04/08/2025 13:57

Thank you that’s very helpful. Yes I think we’re looking at circa £2k too. We’re flying the Dreamliner so will investigate rows 8/9!

OP posts:
Happyasapiginshit · 04/08/2025 14:56

ducksfizz · 04/08/2025 13:57

Thank you that’s very helpful. Yes I think we’re looking at circa £2k too. We’re flying the Dreamliner so will investigate rows 8/9!

This was the Dreamliner too, overall a good experience and I’d book again

AvidJadeShaker · 04/08/2025 16:57

The seats are bigger and more comfortable and the pitch is bigger too. I would do it again with Tui if the price difference wants too big. I mainly upgraded for the footrest.

ducksfizz · 04/08/2025 18:12

We’re flying home late on Xmas eve so I’m kind of hoping it’ll be a quiet flight with room to jump into a premium seat but no doubt risky, wishful thinking!

OP posts:
AvidJadeShaker · 04/08/2025 18:19

ducksfizz · 04/08/2025 18:12

We’re flying home late on Xmas eve so I’m kind of hoping it’ll be a quiet flight with room to jump into a premium seat but no doubt risky, wishful thinking!

You may be able to pay for an upgrade when you check in.

EstherGreenwood63 · 04/08/2025 20:22

We paid for it to Thailand, flight only. Worth every penny for that length of time. Plus the slightly better service etc.

EstherGreenwood63 · 04/08/2025 20:27

Oh and I have flown Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, both were heaving...so..

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