Qantas Economy Plus Launching Feb 2026

[J-P]

PE

Y+

W

I think I prefer W. Single letter like Y or J.

Does W represent the same thing as the W in WP?

 

[dairyfloss]

Does W represent the same thing as the W in WP?

It’s more like ‘Wannabe J’

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Does W represent the same thing as the W in WP?

Correct, Premium Economy can also be considered World class (well except on Qantas, I suppose).

 

[Doddler]

This is exactly what a Frequent Flyer program should be doing. It is rewarding those who Frequently Fly with the airline and thus have status.

Seems very sensible

If only.

I remember being a lowly Silver with Northwest Airlines back when I was living in the USA. I got *guaranteed* free business class upgrades if there was an empty seat up front on any domestic flight after the plats and golds had been upgraded. Maybe 1/4 flights I got an upgrade. *That’s* how you recognise your frequent flyers. Even as a poor postdoc I would pay extra to fly NWA over other airlines.

 

[WilsonM]

If only.

I remember being a lowly Silver with Northwest Airlines back when I was living in the USA. I got *guaranteed* free business class upgrades if there was an empty seat up front on any domestic flight after the plats and golds had been upgraded. Maybe 1/4 flights I got an upgrade. *That’s* how you recognise your frequent flyers. Even as a poor postdoc I would pay extra to fly NWA over other airlines.

This is still technically the case for many airlines, including the big 3, in the US at the moment. 'Unfortunately', most of the US airlines have gotten alot better at coaxing PAX to upgrade with cash/miles, and with the proliferation of status (due to CCs, as well as knowledge), upgrade chances for higher tier members in US programs has declined significantly - so much so that some bloggers claim upgrades are barely a benefit.

Free Economy Plus to status PAX is a definite benefit to them.

Correct, Premium Economy can also be considered World class (well except on Qantas, I suppose).

There are worse PE products than what QF has...

 

[PineappleSkip]

Does W represent the same thing as the W in WP?

I reckon it sits two letters in front of Y, which makes sense to me.

IME some of the biggest Ws of the type you refer to are in the smallest seats, with the lowliest status.

Cheers skip

 

[Kefci2000]

Is says from Feb 2026, although my forward bookings show nothing, does that mean they won’t be bookable till Feb 2026?

Oh yes and I can book Bulkhead and Exit rows immediately on AY and JAL but not QF

 

[openseat]

Before MCE on AA, there was MRTC (more room throughout coach) in the late 90s/early 2000s. It was much more democratic - everyone got more room. Of course such a thing couldn't be done now with product tiering strategies to trick customers that they are buying themselves into some sort of prestige with this sort of upselling.

 

[elanshin]

Is says from Feb 2026, although my forward bookings show nothing, does that mean they won’t be bookable till Feb 2026?

Oh yes and I can book Bulkhead and Exit rows immediately on AY and JAL but not QF

I read that as the system change comes online in Feb 2026, not for the flights.

OW is a mixed bag. There's a thread somewhere where madrooster goes over benefits on each OW airline for seat selection.

 

[bullerdude]

That's already somewhat changed. The 321XLR is split so only 2 rows are bigger up front (6/7) the others are immediately after the emergency exit rows behind the wing.

This being the case, gold may still have the benefit of selecting upfront standard rows, at least on the 321.