While I want more legroom in premium economy, my girlfriend wants a softer seat. We took Air France's Premium Voyager and those shell seats were like rocks. I had to find and buy a seat cushion in Croatia for the trip back.
My understanding is that for most airlines, the premium economy section has the same seats (usually hard) as regular economy but more legroom. Is that correct? I'm particularly interested in our options with Lufthansa/United or KLM/Delta.

Unitd E+ is just more room, same seats.

BA was no problem in plus..Air Canada also..More leg room for sure. It would appear that the plus seats are the old Business ones and the new pods are the next step. Have not have had any problems for the last 4 trips overseas from
Canada in 2011 1ne 2012..

We fly on Delta a lot and I think the premium economy seats are just more leg room, not more cushy seats. Have only flown business class on KLM so can't comment on their premium economy.

Business seating, to me, doesn't have any difference in the softness from what I recall in economy on many airlines.

With United, the seats are the same type in E and E+.

KLM/Delta....same seats, a LITTLE more leg room. Almost always full (someone in the middle seat) whereas I often see standard coach seats with empties. I think the airlines manipulate the seating maps to make it look as though coach is full and you have no other choice just to make extra money from the Pre Econ seats.

The simple fact that I have to be concerned about seat softness (on a 10 hour flight) is one of the (several) reasons I'm not flying anywhere any more. Like a dinner companion said recently - "Well, guess flying is just a necessary evil." I replied - "Yes it is evil, but not necessary for me."

regards - tom