- Australian airline Qantas has introduced Economy Plus seats across its domestic and short-haul international fleet.
- The new cabin product offers extra legroom seating, priority boarding and priority access to overhead baggage space.
- From 6 February 2026, Qantas Economy Plus seating will be available on Boeing 737, Airbus A321XLR and A220 aircraft. It will operate across the national carrier’s domestic network and short-haul international destinations such as New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Bali.
- Prices range from $30 one-way on the popular Sydney to Melbourne flight up to $90 one-way on the Melbourne to Denpasar route.
There’s something strangely primitive about the battle for space on an economy flight. From the elbow-locked wrestle for armrest supremacy to the tug-of-war between knees and back that inevitably occurs each time someone tries to recline their seat, the economy cabin is the kind of urban battleground where no one is willing to take the high road. But alas, our national carrier is putting an end to one of travelling’s greatest contests…the overhead bin.
Qantas has announced its new Economy Plus seats are now available to book, offering travellers a suite of expanded perks. The new cabin product, which was announced last year, offers up to 40 per cent more legroom, priority boarding and, perhaps most importantly, first dibs on the overhead baggage space. Forget tussling with your Row 14 neighbour, with Qantas Economy Plus you can get in early, sliding wheels first into a leisurely journey before anyone else can snag your luggage spot. Talk about modern luxury, right?
Qantas Economy Plus
Qantas Economy Plus is a new seating option in Economy designed to give travellers more comfort and choice. Landing between Economy and Premium Economy classes, Economy Plus offers a slightly upgraded cabin experience without the unnecessary luxury amenities, targeting regular flyers who want an improved take on the bare essentials. The expanded offering comes with several in-flight benefits, including:
- 40 per cent more legroom
- Priority boarding
- Priority access to overhead baggage space
From 6 February 2026, Qantas Economy Plus seating will be available on Boeing 737, Airbus A321XLR and A220 aircraft. It will operate across the national carrier’s domestic network and short-haul international destinations such as New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Bali. Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson said Qantas Economy Plus would deliver additional flexibility for customers and benefits for frequent flyers when travelling.
“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,“ Svensson said. “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.“
Qantas Economy Plus Price
Prices for Qantas Economy Plus seats vary across front, main and exit row seating, and by route, in addition to fare price. At the moment, four pricing tiers have been made available, including:
| Route | One Way Price | One Way (Points) |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney – Melbourne | From $30 | From 5,000 |
| Sydney – Perth | From $70 | From 12,000 |
| Melbourne – Denpasar | From $90 | From 16,000 |
| Melbourne – Auckland | From $35 | From 6,000 |
The good news is that if you are already a high-ranking Qantas club member, you can enjoy the new cabin class right away. Qantas has confirmed that 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. Customers travelling on the same booking as a member eligible for Qantas Economy Plus will also receive complimentary access.
If you are wondering where on the aircraft the new Qantas Economy Plus seats are located, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Seat availability varies by aircraft type, with the airline’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 has already confirmed that from mid-2026, Economy Plus will expand to the airline’s Airbus A330 fleet, covering more international routes, including destinations across Asia. That’s another big win for high-tier members, who are set to score complimentary access to Qantas Economy on those journeys as well.
Admittedly, the new Qantas Economy Plus offering isn’t a huge step up, but it is a nice addition to the fleet. As someone who travels frequently and is over 6′3″, any additional legroom is always welcomed, and for as little as $30, you can’t really go wrong. Is it business class? Absolutely not, but it is the practical man’s upgrade.
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Qantas Economy Plus FAQ
Qantas Economy Plus is a new seating option in Economy designed to give travellers more comfort and choice. The expanded offering comes with several in-flight benefits, including 40 per cent more legroom, priority boarding and priority access to overhead baggage space.
Prices range from $30 one way on the popular Sydney to Melbourne flight up to $90 one way on the Sydney to Denpasar route.
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. Customers travelling on the same booking as a member eligible for Qantas Economy Plus will also receive complimentary access.
