I’ve flown Vistara frequently since 2018, mostly in business class using points and vouchers. This trip was meant to be another business-class journey, but an upgrade didn’t materialize at the airport, so I traveled on a Premium Economy ticket instead. Below is a concise account of the booking, ground experience, onboard service and my overall verdict.
Table of Contents
- Booking
- Ground Experience
- Check-in
- Lounge
- Flight Experience
- Covid Protocol
- Food
- Seat
- Bottomline
Booking
I booked Premium Economy using points with the plan to upgrade at the airport using additional points. A recent points promotion helped reduce the out-of-pocket cost. My friend’s booking was via a voucher and was not confirmed for business class, which is why we considered upgrading both bookings together. That plan didn’t work out.
| Flight | Air Vistara UK 721 |
| Route | Delhi (DEL) – Guwahati (GAU) |
| Seat | 5B (Premium Economy) |
| Revenue Ticket | ~6,000 INR |
| I Paid | ~450 INR (Points Redemption) |
Ground Experience
Check-in
The airport upgrade attempt failed. When I asked to upgrade based on prior travel history and points balance, the agent declined. They offered a paid upgrade for about 10,000 INR per person, which I politely refused. So I kept the Premium Economy ticket I had already been issued for my connecting flight.
Lounge
With the Vistara lounge closed at the time, I used the Delhi T3 Plaza Premium lounge via a credit-card access benefit. The lounge was busy but we were seated quickly. On departure there was a sizable queue waiting to enter, reflecting how crowded airport lounges remain.
The Plaza Premium lounge has a segregated business-class section accessible to Business Class passengers and Vistara Gold/Platinum members. I no longer hold Gold or Platinum, so I didn’t use that area. If lounge access matters to you, consider options that include tier benefits or a premium card that grants lounge entry.
Flight Experience
Covid Protocol
Onboard everyone received a face shield, mask and a small sanitizer as part of the airline’s Covid precautions, similar to the setup in business class. As I was seated in 5B, a middle-premium seat, I was also provided an additional disposable gown for extra protection per the protocol for center seats.
Food
Meal choices matched business class: veg or non-veg. I chose vegetarian and my friend took the non-veg option. The presentation was similar to the business offering, but the temperature differed — the Premium Economy meal arrived noticeably colder compared with the very hot meals served earlier on the business-class flight that day.
Small touches were pleasant — the corn was flavorful, though I would have preferred it hot. The sandwich was acceptable but not outstanding. In-flight tracking showed we were cruising at roughly 1,000 km/h according to the companion app, a fun detail for aviation enthusiasts.
Seat
Premium Economy typically offers slightly more legroom and leather upholstery, but on this flight the difference between economy and Premium Economy was minimal. The center seat felt cramped, and I didn’t get the benefit of a roomy first-row seat, which is where Premium Economy can truly make a difference. If you can secure a front-row PE seat, the extra comfort is worthwhile; otherwise the gains are modest on short domestic routes.
Bottomline
I’d been curious about Vistara’s Premium Economy for a while, and this trip finally gave me the chance to try it. Premium Economy is an upgrade over standard economy, but its value depends on circumstances: the front-row PE seat, the flight duration, and normal (non-pandemic) service conditions make the premium most worthwhile. On this flight the benefits were muted — food temperature and a cramped middle seat reduced the advantage.
Experience may vary on wide-body aircraft where Premium Economy configurations can be more distinct, but availability on domestic Indian routes is limited. If you’ve flown Vistara Premium Economy, share your impressions in the comments — different routes and seat positions can lead to very different experiences.