Qantas Premium Economy: Today seats in Qantas’ new International Premium Economy Cabin went on sale. Seats will be available on Qantas’ Premium Economy Cabin on select Boeing 747-400 aircraft on the following routes:
· Sydney to London via Singapore and Bangkok from 1 April 2008;
· Sydney to Johannesburg from 1 April 2008;
· Melbourne to London via Singapore and Hong Kong from 16 May 2008
· Sydney to Hong Kong from 3 August 2008.
Qantas’ Premium Economy return fares from Sydney (Including taxes, levies and chages) will start from:
· Hong Kong AU$1999
· Johannesburg AU$4217
· Singapore AU$2189
· London AU$4567
· Bangkok AU$2552
Qantas Executive General Manager, Mr John Borghetti said Qantas’ Premium Economy Seat was designed by renowned Australian designer Marc Newson in association with Recaro, manufacturer of seats for the likes of Aston Martin, Audi and Porsche.Qantas’s Premium Economy seat will offer:
- A brand new 19.5 inch wide seat;
- Generous seat recline and leg room (up to 40 inch pitch);
- 8.4 inch in-arm touch screen video monitor;
- Neil Perry inspired menu with premium wines;
- Ergonomic cushioning and an adjustable headrest;
- Noise cancelling headsets.
- On-demand control, which allows you to start, pause, fast forward, or stop any of our 400 AVOD program choices whenever you like. Choices include 60 movies, 200 TV programs (including destination guides), 20 Radio Q channels, 150 CDs, Moving Map and 10 interactive games
- Personal telephone in every seat,^
- Reply text messaging in every seat,^
- Laptop 110v AC Power outlets, which do not require an adaptor (with the exception of UK plugs).
The Qantas Premium Economy Seat
"Our service will also include priority check-in, dedicated cabin crew, an additional hand baggage allowance, and priority boarding and disembarkation," Mr Borghetti said "Qantas will offer 32 Premium Economy seats on its B747-400 aircraft in a two-four-two configuration, and the product will also be available on select B747-400 services to the US from late 2008. The Qantas A380's spacious state-of-the-art interiors will include 32 Premium Economy seats in every aircraft in a two-three-two configuration."Qantas will take delivery of its first A380 in August 2008, with services to commence in the last quarter of 2008.
The Business Travel Gurus Opinion and Comment on this news
This announcement will be welcomed by both the budget conscious Business Travellers and Economy travellers looking for a little more comfort. It’s great to see Qantas follow in the footsteps of British Airways and other carriers, I am sure Qantas Premium Economy will benefit both Qantas’ bottom line along with passengers growing demand for a more comfortable flight.
On further hunting around on the Qantas website I found the following additional information
- Premium Economy passengers would be allowed two pieces of cabin baggage (standard max 7 per piece) the same as what is allowed for Business and First Class Passengers.
- Checked baggage allowance is the same as for current Economy passengers (20Kg)
- Premium Economy Passengers will receive a 10% Frequent Flyer Cabin Bonus
- Qantas Premium Economy passengers earn Full economy Status Credits
- Premium Economy can only be upgraded to Business Class and not to First Class
- Award bookings can be made on Qantas’ new International Premium Economy Cabin Points required are outlined in the table below.
- Points required to upgrade from Discount Economy, and Fully Economy to Premium Economy, and Premium Economy to Business Class take a look at the Qantas Frequent Flyer Upgrades page.
| Destination |
Points Required –one way |
Points Required - return |
| Bangkok to London |
63,000 |
126,000 |
| Hong Kong to London |
63,000 |
126,000 |
| Melbourne to London |
96,000 |
192,000 |
| Melbourne to Hong Kong |
45,000 |
90,000 |
| Singapore to London |
45,000 |
126,000 |
| Sydney to Bangkok |
45,000 |
90,000 |
| Sydney to Johannesburg |
63,000 |
126,000 |
| Sydney to Hong Kong |
45,000 |
90,000 |
| Sydney to London |
96,000 |
192,000 |