Qantas rolls out A330 Economy Plus

Qantas is rolling out its Economy Plus seating across its Airbus A330 fleet, although high-tier frequent flyers can still look forward to a free upgrade on the workhorse twin-aisle jets.

Economy Plus comprises three practical benefits for the economy passenger:

• extra legroom, with the seats set further apart so there’s more room to stretch out (also making it easier to get in and out of your seat)
• priority access to the overhead bins directly above your seat: you won’t need to scramble to stow your carry-on bags
• priority boarding, which puts you in the same boarding group as business class passengers

That said, Qantas has not yet revealed how much extra legroom these prime A330 seats will have.

The economy-with-more category was launched in February this year across Qantas’ domestic Airbus A220, Airbus A321 and Boeing 737 jets, with the airline saying it has proven exceptionally popular.

Qantas is also adding Economy Plus to the ultra-long range Airbus A350 for non-stop flights from Sydney to London and New York – although some economy seats will have less legroom as a result.

Read more: Qantas A350 gets Economy Plus, and ‘economy minus’

Adding the Plus factor to the A330

Qantas says the A330s are “being reconfigured in time for September”, with between 50 and 58 Economy Plus seats depending on the specific A330 version.

Most A330-300s will have 56 Economy Plus seats, although the ex-Finnair jets (which carry an A330-300Y designator) see only 32 Economy Plus seats because these planes also have a sizeable premium economy cabin.

The A330-200s will have between 52 and 58 Economy Plus seats.

The upgraded A330-200LR jets boast larger sharper screens, Bluetooth and USB-C power.

That fleet includes ten upgraded A330-200LR models, which are also being fitted with all-new economy seats featuring larger and sharper 4K OLED seatback screens with Bluetooth audio and fast-charging USB-C power.

“With premium travel demand surging across Asia, we are committed to delivering the high standard of comfort our passengers have come to expect from Qantas,” says Qantas Asia boss Nick McGlynn.

How much will Qantas A330 Economy Plus cost?

As a benchmark, on Qantas A330 flights from Singapore to Australia, Economy Plus seats – which are available now for flights from 18 September – will start at S$105 (A$118), or 19,500 Qantas Points.

Qantas Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers receive complimentary access to Economy Plus from the time of their booking, during the seat selection stage – this also applies to all passengers travelling on the same booking.

Qantas Gold frequent flyers have to wait until 24 hours before departure for a shot at a free Economy Plus ride.

Their success will of course depend on availability – how many Platinums and Platinum Ones have swooped in, and how many regular passengers have paid for an upgrade to Economy Plus.

A330 Forward Seating

Qantas’ revised A330 seat maps show most Economy Plus seats are the paired AB and JK seats at either side of the cabin – yes, including the desirable window seats.

And of the A330’s two economy cabins, almost all of the first cabin is now cost-extra seating, from the additional legroom (and window views) of Economy Plus to the convenience of the Forward seating zones.

Qantas A330-300 seat map with Economy Plus.

On the A330-200, most of the front row of the first economy cabin – which typically offers good leg room between the seat and the bulkhead wall – will now be sold as Economy Plus Front.

Qantas A330-200 seat map with Economy Plus.

Qantas Frequent Flyer members with Gold or higher status will have free access to Forward seating.

For Silvers, Qantas notes that only “some seats" will be available free of charge when the booking is made, “and others 24 hours prior to flight departure (subject to availability)."

Also read: Qantas brings back Status Credit earn on Classic Flight Rewards