If you’ve ever found yourself wedged into a middle seat, desperately hoping the person in front of you doesn’t recline… good news: Qantas has just launched Economy Plus, and it’s designed to make flying noticeably more comfortable without breaking the bank.
It was first announced last year and is rolling out from 2 February 2026. the new seat option brings extra space, smoother boarding, and perks that make your trip feel just that little bit more premium — all while keeping you in Economy
What exactly is Economy Plus?
I guess the best way to think of it is “Economy, but better.” While you are in Economy, you get:
- Dedicated seating zones, with Up to 40% more legroom
- Priority boarding
- Priority access to overhead lockers
It’s available right now on the Boeing 737, Airbus A220, and Airbus A321XLR — the workhorses of Qantas’ domestic and short‑haul international network.
From mid-2026, Qantas Economy Plus will expand to the airline’s Airbus A330 fleet, covering more international routes, including destinations across Asia.
What does it cost?
Pricing depends on where you’re flying, but here are a few starting points:
- Sydney → Melbourne: $30-$50
- Sydney → Perth: $70-$105
- Melbourne → Auckland: $35-$55
- Melbourne → Bali: $90-$130
That said, there seems to be some variation depending on exactly which seat you choose.
What about Frequent Flyers?
Qantas didn’t forget its most loyal travellers. Depending on your status, you may be able to get the upgrade for free:
- Platinum One & Platinum: free Economy Plus seats right at booking
- Gold: free seats from 24 hours before departure (subject to availability)
- Travelling with others? People on the same booking get access too.
Qantas have provided a handy table to break this all down (including the Forward seat options)
Economy Plus Seating
Boeing 737
Qantas have provided the following seat map for the 737. As indicated, the front half of the aircraft is pretty much either Economy Plus or Forward seating. This makes them available at a charge (except for Platinum members).
There are 48 Economy Plus seats on the Boeing 737. The front row has a 51-52 inch seat pitch. Further back, the main Economy Plus seats have a 34 inch pitch, while the exit rows have a 38 inch pitch
Airbus A321XLR
In comparison, the A321XLR is kitted out with 36 Economy Plus seats. The front row comes with a 39 inch seat pitch, the exit rows have a 38 inch pitch, while the remaining Economy Plus seats have a 34 inch pitch.
Airbus A220
The smaller A220 will be fitted with 20 seats in Economy Plus. These have similar legroom to the A321XLR – 39 inches for the front row, 38 inches for the exit row, and 34 inches for the main seats.
Priority Features
While legroom is the big advantage, it is not the only advantage of Economy Plus. Additional perks include priority boarding (as part of group 2) and ‘priority access’ to the overhead lockers.
Final Words
As I said when it was first announced, it all sounds familiar. Indeed, it is similar in many ways to Economy X on Virgin Australia.
That said, Qantas Economy Plus feels like one of those upgrades people will quickly adopt. While it offers more comfort, Qantas seems to have put it at a price point that makes sense.
