When it comes to air travel, striking the perfect balance between comfort and affordability is a priority for many travelers. Understanding this need, Qantas, Australia’s leading airline, offers a solution that meets both demands: Qantas Premium Economy. This class of service serves as a middle ground between the standard economy experience and the luxury of business class, providing passengers with an enhanced travel experience without the steep price tag of business class.
With extra legroom, upgraded meals, and personalized service, Qantas Premium Economy is designed for those looking to elevate their journey while keeping costs in check. It’s a thoughtful option for travelers who want a bit more comfort without fully committing to the extravagance of business class.
What is Qantas Premium Economy?
Qantas’ Premium Economy class is the perfect option for travelers looking to enjoy a more comfortable and upscale experience without the hefty price tag that comes with business class. Positioned between economy and business, it offers an elevated level of comfort, making it ideal for those who want more space and better amenities but don’t need all the bells and whistles of a full business class experience.
Photo: Qantas
With features like wider seats, extra legroom, and enhanced meal service, Qantas Premium Economy provides a significant upgrade from traditional economy class, allowing passengers to enjoy a more relaxed journey at a price point that’s more accessible.
The Flying Kangaroo first introduced the Qantas Premium Economy cabin on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner back in 2017, and it quickly became a popular choice among travelers. The airline later expanded this offering to its Airbus A380 fleet, further enhancing the premium travel experience. Looking ahead, Qantas plans to offer 40 Premium Economy seats on its upcoming Airbus A350 fleet.
Qantas
- IATA/ICAO Code
-
QF/QFA
- Year Founded
-
1920
- CEO
-
Vanessa Hudson
Unlike the Dreamliner and A380, which feature more unique “cradle” seats, the A350 will offer a more traditional seating style, but still with all the comfort and amenities that make Premium Economy a standout option.
What to expect in Qantas Premium Economy
Qantas’ premium economy cabin offers a more private and intimate flying experience compared to the larger economy section. With up to 40 seats on the Boeing 787 and 60 on the Airbus A380, these cabins create a quieter, more exclusive environment for passengers looking for extra comfort. The upcoming Airbus A350 will continue this trend, featuring 40 premium economy seats to maintain that sense of space and privacy, setting it apart from the hustle and bustle of economy class.
Photo: Qantas
Here’s what you can expect:
|
Feature |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Dedicated cabin |
Premium economy cabins on Qantas flights are smaller and more private than the economy class section – with up to 40 seats on the B787 and 60 seats on the A380. |
|
Spacious seating |
One of the main draws of Qantas Premium Economy is the enhanced seating. The seats are notably wider and offer increased legroom compared to economy class. |
|
Priority boarding |
Passengers flying in premium economy benefit from a dedicated check-in counter, priority boarding lane, and disembarkation process. |
|
Enhanced dining |
Qantas takes the dining experience up a notch in premium economy, offering higher quality (and larger portioned) meals. |
|
Elevated entertainment experience |
The premium economy seats come with large, high-definition touchscreens and noise-canceling headphones, offering an upgraded in-flight entertainment experience. |
|
Creature comforts |
Qantas provides premium economy passengers with a stylish Napoleon Perdis branded amenity pouch containing essentials. |
As shown in the table above, the seating in premium economy is one of the biggest upgrades. Passengers enjoy wider seats — 21 inches (53.3 cm) on the 787 and 19.5 (49.5 cm) inches on the A380 — along with significantly more legroom at 38 inches (96.5 cm) on both aircraft.
Related
Premium Economy: A Great Value Addition Or A Waste Of Space?
While 95% of my flights have been in economy, I’m fortunate to have flown first class (Air France A380) and business (quite a few times for different jobs, including on Emirates’ A380s and 777-300ERs, JetBlue’s Mint on the A321LR, and, pre-war, Aeroflot’s 777-300ER).
I’ve only flown premium economy once: on Norse Atlantic’s inaugural London Gatwick-New York JFK service. It was a good experience. The world has 4.6 million premium economy seats for sale this month—just 0.9% of all seats are in the cabin.
What do you think about premium economy? Is it worth the floorspace dedicated to it? In your experience, does it add sufficient benefit (whether hard product or soft product) compared to standard economy? Is it overrated? Do you think there are more passengers trading up or trading down, or does it vary depending on the route, length of haul, etc.? Let us know your opinions!
These seats are designed for comfort, featuring adjustable headrests, revamped footrests, and a variety of recline settings, making it easy to settle into a cozy position during the flight. Whether you’re flying short or long haul, the extra space and thoughtful seating design can make all the difference.
Premium economy passengers also benefit from a range of priority services that streamline their journey. From the moment they arrive at the airport, travelers have access to dedicated check-in counters, priority boarding lanes, and a quicker disembarkation process, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.
Onboard, Qantas steps up its dining game with meals that are not only of higher quality but also served in more generous portions, often on fine china. On select international flights, passengers can also help themselves to snacks and drinks at the self-serve bar.
Related
Which Airline Has The Best Premium Economy Class?
Premium economy class varies significantly across airlines. For some, it just means a seat with slightly more legroom. Other carriers might include a unique meal service or a slightly different design element in the front of the economy cabin to give it a more elegant feel. The perks provided with premium tickets also vary significantly in value.
Quite a few carriers have invested significantly in their premium economy products. Carriers like Emirates have retrofitted portions of their fleets to accommodate the growing demand, while others, such as Alaska Airlines, have ordered incoming planes to feature more premium seats. Other carriers find the extra cabin inefficient and double down on creating an exceptional main cabin or use the space for more upper-class capacity.
Given the cost difference between a premium economy and an economy or buisness class ticket, which airlines provide the most value for the upgrade?
For in-flight entertainment, Qantas provides Premium Economy passengers with large high-definition touchscreens, paired with noise-canceling headphones, offering a more immersive entertainment experience. Creature comforts are also a priority, with a stylish amenity kit by Napoleon Perdis that includes essentials like an eye mask, socks, and a dental kit. To add to the comfort, each seat comes with a soft cotton pillow and a cozy wool blanket, ensuring a restful flight.
Why fly Qantas Premium Economy?
Choosing Qantas Premium Economy ultimately comes down to what you prioritize in your flying experience. If having extra legroom, upgraded dining, a quieter cabin, and a more comfortable, relaxed atmosphere are important to you, then opting for Premium Economy could be well worth the investment. For travelers seeking a balance of comfort and value, this class offers a great middle ground between economy and business class.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for the full luxury experience — think lie-flat beds, exclusive lounge access, and personalized service — Qantas’ business class might be more up your alley. For long-haul flights, the added perks of business class can make a big difference, especially if comfort and privacy are top priorities.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
That said, Qantas Premium Economy provides an appealing middle ground for those who want a more elevated travel experience without the hefty price tag of business class. With its spacious seating, upgraded dining options, and thoughtful amenities, it strikes the perfect balance between comfort and cost, offering a touch of luxury at a more affordable rate.