Qantas members can book under the airline’s new Economy Plus offering from today. The new program gives economy travellers up to 40 per cent more legroom on domestic and short-haul international flights, priority boarding, and priority access to overhead baggage space.
Qantas said on Monday that the first flights offering the new seating will take off on February 6 on Boeing 737, Airbus A321XLR and A220 aircrafts as the airline revealed the new pricing model. The flights operate across domestic flights and “popular short-haul international destinations including New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Bali”.
“Qantas Economy Plus seat availability varies by aircraft type, with the Flying Kangaroo’s 737 fleet reconfigured to offer 48 seats in the forward and mid-cabin areas, the A220 offering 20 seats, and the A321XLR providing 36 seats in select zones,” Qantas said.
However, from “mid-2026” this will also be expanded to the Airbus A330 fleet which up the offering on more international routes.
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How much does Qantas Economy Plus cost?
High-tiered frequent flyer members will receive complimentary access to Qantas Economy Plus from today.
“Platinum and Platinum One tiered members receive complimentary access to Qantas Economy Plus at the time of booking, while Gold members receive complimentary access from 24 hours prior to departure, subject to availability,” Qantas said.
Plus, if you’re travelling with an eligible member, you will also get complimentary access to the program.
That is up to eight additional passengers if they are on the same booking.
Qantas has given examples of its new Economy Plus seating plans. Source: Qantas
If you want to purchase Economy Plus benefits, the price varies depending on how far you are going.
From Sydney to Melbourne one-way, Qantas said it will cost “from $30 or 5,000 points”.
For a longer journey like Sydney to Perth, it’s from $70 or 12,000 points.
Melbourne to Denpasar jumps to $90 and 15,000 points, while Melbourne to Auckland is from 35 to 6,000 points.
“Qantas Economy Plus brings together extra legroom, priority boarding and priority access to overhead bin space; all the elements we know make a real difference to our customers when flying,” Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson said.
The Australian airline’s new Economy Plus seats will not only offer extra legroom, but also priority boarding and priority access to overhead baggage space. Photo: Qantas
“We’ve seen strong interest in Qantas Economy Plus from customers already, and we know it will be a great benefit for both our business and leisure travellers.”
Previously, extra legroom seats and exit row seats offered additional legroom that could be pre-paid on Qantas international flights and Qantas Australian domestic flights operated by E190, F100, B737, A220, A319, A320, and A330 aircraft.
The cost was between $25 to $280, depending on the aircraft.
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This new Qantas offering appears to be their response to Virgin’s Economy X, which also offers up to 40 per cent more legroom, priority boarding, priority check-in, and priority space in the overhead compartments.
Economy X is available on all domestic and international flights at an additional cost to travellers.
For example, booking an Economy X ticket from Sydney to Brisbane would be an additional $48, and from Melbourne to Bali, an extra $95.
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