Australia’s national carrier has unveiled a major cabin shake-up that could change how millions fly domestically and across the ditch.
Qantas Airways officially launched Economy Plus, introducing a new paid cabin class positioned between standard Economy and Business. The move brings Qantas in line with global competitors who have offered similar products for years.
The new seating option rolls out across the airline’s domestic network and short-haul international routes from February 2026.
What Economy Plus Actually Delivers
The product centres on three core benefits that address common passenger pain points.
Standard Economy seats provide 30 inches of pitch, but Economy Plus bumps that to 34 inches across most rows. Exit rows stretch even further to 38 inches, while Boeing 737 front rows reach up to 52 inches.
Additional legroom sits at the heart of the offering
For context, that front row measurement exceeds the 37-inch pitch found in Qantas Business Class on the same aircraft.
Priority boarding grants Economy Plus passengers earlier access to the cabin, potentially securing overhead bin space before the rush begins. Priority access to overhead lockers is explicitly guaranteed as part of the package.
The airline has not yet announced pricing for Economy Plus seats. Passengers can purchase access with cash or Qantas Points when the product launches.
Frequent Flyer Benefits Create Clear Winner
Qantas structured Economy Plus to reward its most loyal customers through complimentary access based on tier status.
- Platinum One and Platinum members receive complimentary Economy Plus seating at the time of booking on all eligible flights.
- Gold members access Economy Plus seats for free when online check-in opens 24 hours before departure, subject to availability.
The airline reports over 21,000 forward Economy seats are selected by Frequent Flyers weekly, demonstrating strong demand for preferred seating options.
Fleet Coverage Spans Three Aircraft Types
Economy Plus will feature on aircraft operating the majority of Qantas domestic routes plus select international services to New Zealand and Pacific Islands.
The three aircraft types include:
- Airbus A321XLR
- Airbus A220
- Boeing 737
Two A321XLR aircraft began domestic operations in September 2025, with a third arriving before year end. New deliveries of both A321XLR and A220 aircraft come factory-fitted with Economy Plus seating.
Existing Boeing 737s enter reconfiguration from December 2025 to add the new cabin class. The carrier operates 75 Boeing 737 aircraft aged between 11 and 23 years.
A comprehensive 737 cabin refresh program begins later, with the first fully refurbished aircraft returning to service in 2027. All 42 jets slated for full refurbishment should complete by 2030.
Industry Context Shows Qantas Playing Catch-Up
Virgin Australia pioneered premium Economy seating in the Australian domestic market with Economy X launching in 2017.
That product similarly offers extra legroom, priority boarding, and dedicated overhead space. Reports suggest Virgin Australia plans to add meal vouchers to Economy X, potentially maintaining a competitive edge.
The broader airline industry has embraced tiered Economy products globally. Air New Zealand offers 41-inch pitch seats, while Taiwan’s EVA Air provides 42 inches in premium Economy configurations.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson framed Economy Plus as customer-driven evolution rather than competitive response.
“This is an evolution of our Economy offering and delivers more choice for our customers while recognising our most loyal frequent flyers with expanded benefits,” Hudson stated in the official announcement.
She emphasised corporate and leisure travellers would find the product appealing when it launches.
Fleet Renewal Program Drives Timing
The Economy Plus rollout coincides with Qantas’ historic fleet renewal initiative, which includes 48 next-generation A321XLR aircraft and 29 A220s on order.
This represents the largest fleet transformation in the airline’s history, positioning it to compete more effectively on fuel efficiency and passenger comfort metrics.
The carrier’s strong financial performance supports the investment. Qantas posted an underlying profit of $2.4 billion in FY 2025, marking its second-highest annual profit on record.
Market Impact Remains Uncertain Without Pricing
Industry observers note the success of Economy Plus hinges entirely on pricing strategy when announced closer to launch.
If priced too aggressively, passengers may opt to upgrade directly to Business Class on shorter routes where fare differences narrow. Pricing too low could cannibalise standard Economy revenue without sufficient margin improvement.
The percentage of Economy Plus seats installed suggests Qantas expects strong take-up. Some aircraft configurations allocate over 30 percent of total Economy capacity to the premium seating product.
This contrasts with international long-haul carriers, who typically dedicate 10-15 percent of Economy to premium seating options.
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What Happens Next
Qantas seat selection systems update from February 2026 to display Economy Plus availability. Passengers can reserve seats when booking or anytime before check-in through the Qantas app and website.
The airline plans to announce pricing closer to the February launch date, allowing time to gauge market response and finalise revenue management strategies.
Economy Plus represents the latest move in Qantas’ broader strategy to enhance customer experience across its network while maximising revenue per passenger.
Whether it succeeds depends on execution, pricing, and customer perception of value delivered.
Table 1: Qantas Economy Plus Cabin Class Benefits
The move signals continued investment in the domestic and short-haul market, where competition remains intense and margins depend on ancillary revenue streams like premium seating.
Travellers should watch for pricing announcements in coming months to determine whether Economy Plus delivers genuine value or simply repackages existing exit row seating at premium prices.
