Qantas launches Economy Plus, their new extra legroom seat product in February 2026, aimed at giving flyers more comfort and choice in the main cabin. Initially, the seats will roll out across its Boeing 737, Airbus A220 and A321XLR fleets. These operate on domestic, New Zealand and Pacific Island flights . Later in 2026, Economy Plus will expand to include selected Airbus A330 international services. Economy Plus is positioned as a step up from standard Economy, providing more legroom and early access to overhead bins. The seats are bookable at the time of flight purchase or later via Manage Booking or the Qantas app.
Economy Plus Benefits
Passengers who select Economy Plus will enjoy:
- Up to 40 % more legroom compared with standard Economy, giving extra space to stretch on board.
- Priority boarding, making it easier to settle in early.
- Priority access to overhead lockers, so carry-on bags are more likely to stay close by.
These enhancements aim to make longer flights, including trans-Tasman and Pacific routes, feel noticeably more relaxed without moving into premium cabins. We can expect, in the future, Economy Plus will be rolled out to the entire network.
Qantas Economy Plus Seat Maps PDF
Economy Plus Access (Pricing and Elite Status)
While Qantas hasn’t published an exhaustive fare schedule on its website, we can expect them to be in the below ranges. Qantas provided these as a guide, and we can expect these to change (higher or lower) based on demand. The prices are in Australian dollars and Qantas Points:
Route One-way| Cash | Qantas Points
Sydney–Melbourne | $30–$50 | 5,000–8,500 pts
Sydney–Perth | $70–$105 | 12,000–17,500 pts
Melbourne–Denpasar | $90–$130 | 15,000–22,000 pts
Melbourne–Auckland | $35–$55 | 6,000–9,500 pts
Frequent flyers with elite status receive complimentary access based on tier:
- Platinum One & Platinum members: free Economy Plus seats when booking.
- Gold members: complimentary access from 24 hours before departure, subject to availability.
The airline has not yet confirmed if Oneworld elite status holders would get complementary access. Platinum and Platinum One equate to Oneworld Emerald and Gold equates to Sapphire.
Selection remains possible up to check-in or via the Qantas app, and points bookings are supported for eligible members.
Conrado’s Thoughts
Qantas Economy Plus represents a meaningful upgrade in the carrier’s Economy cabin hierarchy, giving flyers a more comfortable travel experience without the full cost of Premium Economy or Business. With added legroom, priority perks, and elite status access benefits, it’s designed to appeal to both frequent flyers seeking extra value and leisure travelers looking for better comfort on short and medium-haul routes. As with all new products, exact pricing and availability will evolve, but initial details signal Qantas’s intent to stay competitive in the growing market for enhanced economy experiences.
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