Qantas Economy Plus Launching Feb 2026

[mbe1510]

It would be closer if they removed free alcohol from Y and kept it for Y+.

Personally I think this is more to combat VA.

I saw Qantas' trading update, and it noted that SME demand has been strong compared to the top end of town.

There is probably more competition with Virgin for SMEs than big business which Qantas pretty much has locked up, so extra legroom is a great way to attract SMEs who may not have the budget for business class but want to elevate their experience.

 

[Doctore1003]

Will this be on *all* 737, 220, 321 flights or “select”?

Would be very annoyed to find this not available transcon.

 

[WilsonM]

Will this be on *all* 737, 220, 321 flights or “select”?

Would be very annoyed to find this not available transcon.
View attachment 480218

It'll be refurbed 737s, and all A220s and A321s I reckon - the A220s and A321s have the seats already, while the 737s need a refurb first.

 

[DejaBrew]

Just looking at the seat pitch table again and thinking more on @justinbrett's point re: seat blocks, I'm wondering whether "Economy Plus - Front Row" will remain exclusive to P1s until T-24? That would arguably be the best of both worlds (i.e. P1s can retain some "exclusive" perks whilst WPs/SGs gain new status perks)

 

[exceladdict]

Why do simple questions and answers need to be so difficult?

Heaven help the infrequent flyer looking for a straightforward answer or anyone whose first language is not English.

English as a first language only gets you so far, you need to be brought up speaking Qanglish to have a chance

If anything, this product increases the likelihood of scoring additional legroom seating for most passengers by simple virtue of the fact that there are more seats. It also affords additional value to purchasing the seating as it grants priority boarding and overhead locker access, which would be a "win" for most non-status folks.

My preferred Y seat is an aisle somewhere in rows 5-7 with a shadow. I feel like this will increase the likelihood of this except on full flights

 

[DejaBrew]

So should we be expecting new branding on the headrests as part of the refurb'd cabins or was this just for the benefit of the press release? New headrests for all existing A220s + A321s in service as well?

 

[Doctore1003]

What happens if one person in the booking is WP and the other bronze? Do both get free seats?

 

[DejaBrew]

What happens if one person in the booking is WP and the other bronze? Do both get free seats?

Probably not if it continues to work the way it does today.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Fairly easily - economy seats on adjustable rails afaik.
Maybe there are actually some 31" rows on a QF 737 and they are just shifting it all to the front.
I can't see them deleting a row.

Moving the seat is easy. More work~cost for the drop down oxygen masks, air con vents, overhead lights, call button and seat wiring

 

[justinbrett]

Moving the seat is easy. More work~cost for the drop down oxygen masks, air con vents, overhead lights, call button and seat wiring

Aren’t they installing new lockers in the refurb?

 

[ish]

English as a first language only gets you so far, you need to be brought up speaking Qanglish to have a chance


My preferred Y seat is an aisle somewhere in rows 5-7 with a shadow. I feel like this will increase the likelihood of this except on full flights

Yes, that was my worry… as long as I don’t lose my shadow in the first few rows of Y, I’m happy!!!

 

[Doctore1003]

It'll be refurbed 737s, and all A220s and A321s I reckon - the A220s and A321s have the seats already, while the 737s need a refurb first.

The first refurbed 737 isn’t due til 2027

 

[moa999]

Aren’t they installing new lockers in the refurb?

Yes but that's not meant to start until 2027.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-to-embark-on-major-upgrade-of-737-cabins/

 

[elanshin]

I suspected this was coming when i looked at the 321xlr configuration and there was this weird extra set of extra leg Room after the emergency exit rows.

Surprising they're choosing this announcement to include the 737s right now. Lotta people going to be disappointed this doesn't exist on the majority of the 738s.

 

[justinbrett]

Yes but that's not meant to start until 2027.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-to-embark-on-major-upgrade-of-737-cabins/

I don’t believe Y+ will be available until the aircraft has been refurb’d. Or perhaps it will just be limited to row 4 and exit rows.

 

[DejaBrew]

Surprising they're choosing this announcement to include the 737s right now. Lotta people going to be disappointed this doesn't exist on the majority of the 738s.

Any idea how many would already have this (if any)? Guessing there won't be much availability for Economy Plus on flights to NZ in the near future.

 

[elanshin]

Any idea how many would already have this (if any)? Guessing there won't be much availability for Economy Plus on flights to NZ in the near future.

0 is my guess right now. Just rebranding exit row seats and emergency exits. (So 4 and 13/14). It'll only be the refurb planes. But i cant imagine they can refurb 42x 738s that quickly once they start in 27 and the non refurbs are still going to stick around for a bit as well.

So realistically we're at least 2 or 3 years away from calling the majority of the 738 fleet from having this.

 

[DejaBrew]

So realistically we're at least 2 or 3 years away from calling the majority of the 738 fleet from having this.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. So like you say, will be some disappointed folks (especially those doing the trans-Tasman run).

 

[elanshin]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. So like you say, will be some disappointed folks (especially those doing the trans-Tasman run).

I'm sorry you had to run to NZ so many times but you're now being demoted to the same as all the other platinums on the 738s ... Or maybe you'll keep row 4?

 

[Himeno]

As a WP I’m impressed and like the idea. I’ve got WP with both VA and QF so this makes VA a even less attractive given Economy X was a major benefit of VA.

It's just a rebrand of something they already had, taking inspiration from their overseas partners, and charging more for it (unless you happen to have high enough status).