Neos is an Italian budget airline — and as the video puts it, they don’t have a business class. What they have instead is “Premium”: effectively a premium-economy cabin. We flew it from Milan Malpensa Terminal 1 to New York JFK Terminal 1 on a Boeing 787, and here’s what the experience was actually like.
What “Premium” gets you on the ground
At MXP, Premium includes fast track through security and lounge access. One thing to know: for USA-bound gates there’s only one lounge option, and it was very crowded on a Saturday.
Also note the lounge is after exit passport control, so budget your time: leave room for passport control and don’t get stuck shopping in duty free beforehand.
Boarding comes with priority for Premium/Group 1 (gate B55 on our flight). Boarding itself wasn’t perfectly smooth — we were stuck on the jet bridge for a bit while the queue moved.
The 787 premium cabin: 2-3-2, legroom, and a screen surprise
The aircraft is a Boeing 787, and the Premium cabin is laid out 2-3-2. First impressions were good — there’s lots of legroom.
One quirk: there are no seatback monitors. The entertainment screens pull out of the armrests instead. They hand out cheap disposable earbuds — nothing fancy, but they do the job. There’s also a small, basic amenity kit. And the best perk of the whole flight: free Wi-Fi included for the entire flight, via a voucher card handed out on board.
Food and drink: honest verdicts
Drinks started before takeoff with prosecco or orange juice. One caveat for the long haul: no complimentary soda — just juices and wines.
The meal service began with a salmon starter, though there were no options for vegetarians or kids. For the entree, the chicken option was served (they had pasta for the vegetarians).
A cheese platter followed, and then the verdict the video doesn’t sugarcoat: dessert was the only good part of the meal. Coffee came after dessert — served with creamer, not fresh milk. A small snack was served before landing.
Seat comfort: levers, leg rest, real recline
The seats have levers for both recline and the leg rest, and the recline is genuinely decent — a good amount to actually get some rest on the overnight crossing.
Bottom line
On-time arrival into JFK, and the video’s verdict: “I’d fly them again at premium economy prices.” That sums it up — Neos Premium isn’t business class and doesn’t pretend to be, but as a premium-economy product with lounge access, free Wi-Fi, and a comfortable seat, it’s a fair deal at the right price.
