Hey travellers, Qantas is mixing things up! The airline recently announced the launch of a new seating option called Economy Plus. Essentially, Qantas is taking its extra-legroom seats and bundling them into a special package, aiming to generate extra revenue from offering more comfort. You can expect this new offering to be available starting in February 2026.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson believes this option will be popular with both corporate and leisure passengers.
What Does “Plus” Actually Mean?
First and foremost, it means more space. If you usually fly standard economy, you are likely used to about 30 inches of legroom (or “pitch”). Economy Plus seats will average between 35 to 40 inches of pitch, depending on which type of aircraft you are on.
These packages include the most spacious ‘extra legroom’ seats, such as those found at the exit rows. For example:
• On the Boeing 737, the first row of economy (row 4) will offer a massive 51–52 inches of space. Other additional Economy Plus rows on this jet will have 34 inches of space.
• On the Airbus A220, the first row (row 4) will give you 39 inches of space, while other additional rows will have 34 inches.
• Exit rows across these various aircraft generally feature 38 inches of space.
Perks That Matter
It’s not just about stretching out your legs. Qantas is tackling two frustrations common in domestic travel. The Economy Plus package also comes with practical perks like priority boarding and, crucially, ‘priority access’ to the overhead luggage bins located above your seat.
Securing overhead bin space has become a bigger issue as more people travel only with carry-on bags to avoid the risk of checked luggage going missing. Now, cabin crew will be tasked with making sure only Economy Plus passengers are using the Economy Plus bins.
These new seats will be installed on the Qantas Boeing 737, the Airbus A321XLR, and the Airbus A220 jets. These planes are primarily used for domestic routes but also cover short-range overseas routes, like those heading to New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Depending on the specific aircraft, Qantas will offer anywhere from 20 to 48 Economy Plus seats.
• The workhorse Boeing 737s will have 48 Economy Plus seats.
• The Airbus A321XLR will feature 36 Economy Plus seats.
• The Airbus A220 will offer 20 Economy Plus seats.
If this sounds familiar, you’ve got a good memory! This strategy is the same recipe used by Qantas’ rival, Virgin Australia, with their Economy X product, which they launched back in May 2017. It’s a popular type of offering used by many other international airlines.
What About the Price?
How much extra will this comfort cost you? Qantas hasn’t shared the specific price yet, noting that the cost will vary depending on the length of the flight. As a comparison, Virgin Australia’s similar product, Economy X, starts at an additional $50 for shorter hops like Sydney-Melbourne, and runs up to $95 for flights like Melbourne-Bali.
Freebies for Frequent Flyers
If you are a loyal Qantas customer, you might get to enjoy Economy Plus for free!
Qantas promises that members at the Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyer levels will receive Economy Plus at no cost. Qantas Gold members can also snag the seats for free, but only starting 24 hours before the flight departs, which is when check-in opens (known as the T-24 mark). This “recognizes our most loyal frequent flyers with expanded benefits”.
