Qantas rolls out next-generation economy seat
Get up close with Qantas’ new economy seat, which adds USB-C charging but drops the video screen.
By David Flynn, June 27 2025
Qantas passengers will soon find themselves sitting in a new-design economy seat as the airline steps up an extensive fleet modernisation program.
The airline promises the seats will elevate comfort with their “extra comfort seat cushioning” and a six-way adjustable headrest.
Qantas' new A321XLR economy class.
They’ll also provide each passenger with dual USB-A and USB-C power sockets for charging up their phones, tablets and other personal tech devices.
But there’s no seat-back video screen.
Instead, passengers will be able to stream content from Qantas’ library of movies and TV shows onto their phone or tabletop over the plane’s Wi-Fi – or use the fast free Internet connection to access live content on platforms like Netflix and Spotify.
Qantas' new A321XLR economy class.
Each of the seats – supplied by German company Recaro and styled by Australian designer David Caon – includes a built-in ‘device holder’ which folds out from just above the tray table, where passengers can perch their tablet or smartphone.
Qantas' new A321XLR economy class.
USB power outlets are conveniently located next to the holder; the USB-C socket has a solid 60w output that’s sufficient for most laptops.
Qantas' new A321XLR economy class.
More than 10,000 of these economy seats will be rolled out on jets covering domestic and short-range international routes.
The spearhead of this will be a stream of new Airbus A321XLRs, the first of which arrives in Sydney on July 2 as Qantas begins to retire its oldest Boeing 737s workhorses.
Qantas is also looking at fitting the same seat to more than half of its Boeing 737 fleet in an extensive upgrade program set to begin in late 2026.
The A321XLRs and 737s will also share the same new-look business class as Qantas moves to standardise its seats for a more consistent passenger experience.
Qantas' new A321XLR business class.
The same business and economy seats are already flying on regional QantasLink Airbus A220 jets (and before you ask, there are no seatback screens in business class either).
Qantas' new A321XLR business class.
They’re from the same family as the Recaro economy seats selected for the Qantas Airbus A350, which from early 2027 will be making non-stop flights to London and New York – however, those seats will come with a 13.3” screen which can stream Bluetooth audio to a passenger’s own headphones.
Qantas' new A350 economy class.
Although Qantas declined to comment on the decision to remove screens from its new economy seats, the primary driver would be to reduce weight and fuel consumption.
Each setback screen and associated electronics – including power units and wiring looms – can easily come in around 1kg or more.
Based on an average of 160 economy seats (not even allowing for business class) this results in a saving of at least 160kg per plane, and thus at least 160kg per flight.
(Seats without screens have a lower up-front purchase cost, too, although this is a one-off.)
And being sans screen removed the issue of frustrating tech faults which can sometimes lead to the entire IFE system being rebooted.
Qantas' new A321XLR business class.
Of course, passengers are less convinced – even though many people travel with a smartphone, tablet or laptop these days, and often rely on that device for their own inflight entertainment.
(In our experience, removing seatback screens is as divisive an issue as allowing pets in the cabin, or the trend to non-reclining business class seats).
Qantas' new A321XLR economy class.
The Qantas A321XLR economy seats will offer the same legroom as a Boeing 737, being set at a 30” pitch, although Qantas has added several ‘extra legroom rows’ to the A321XLR, beyond the usual front row and emeregncy exit row.
Qantas' new A321XLR economy class.
Qantas notes that the A321XLR economy seat is wider than that of the 737 – but the difference is negligible, at barely 1cm.
Also read: Unlock the best Qantas seats for free with the ‘T-24’ hack
21 Jun 2022
Total posts 10
I can still remember watching live television on Virgin back in the day, now that was cool. To think that 20 years later IFE has gone that far backwards where you have to use your own (overheated) device to stream anything. At some point in the near future and with customer feedback, I hope QF can change direction on this. I hope so :(
15 Sep 2021
Total posts 16
Way to go Qantas!
Just another cutback to make a trip less enjoyable. Squinting at my iPhone for several hours just doesn’t do it for me.
Maybe we will be asked to bring our own folding chair along too in the not too distant future as they will no longer provide seats either. Wow think of the savings there (that won’t get passed on)
19 Aug 2011
Total posts 57
That fuel saving equates to about A$200-600 fuel saving per flight depending on duration ie about 1 passenger. Interesting risk for an all service airline race to the bottom
24 Apr 2017
Total posts 83
wow, they look extremely thin, can't be much padding in the backrest, or the seat, and what have they got for armrests? Matchsticks 1mm wide??
23 Feb 2015
Total posts 263
On a recent trip we found my daughter’s old (2016) but still very functional and fit for purpose iPad wouldn’t connect to the Qantas wifi. First wifi network I have experienced with a minimum iOS to access it. We very much missed the seat back screen on that flight!
02 Mar 2019
Total posts 7
This company ..seriously. I just can't anymore. 30inches of legroom, no tv and very very overpriced airfares.
But yet...what choice do people have? Practically that or Virgin.
I'm looking forward to the day another airline comes in and sets up a proper full service carrier. Rex had given us hope Qantas would increase its offering because it was essentially 3 carriers with the same product and Qantas cost 4 x their airfares.
Aegean Airlines - Miles & Bonus
16 Jul 2019
Total posts 34
This is typical of offerings in Europe, Africa and parts of the US.
Only Turkish have TVs on their narrowbody aircraft in Europe (assuming you agree that Turkey is in Europe).
I can see the weight / maintenance benefits but it assumes that wifi will be working and this often isn't the case. It also makes the experience not that far off Jetstar on hard product and en par with Virgin. But with competition scarce, doesn't surprise me.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Feb 2011
Total posts 18
Not true.... United and Delta have fleetwide seat back video. American is the only major in the US actively removing Seat Back Video..... oh who's the ex American Airlines exec on the Qantas Board
03 Mar 2023
Total posts 61
Parts of the US? United, Delta, JetBlue, Air Canada have seatback entertainment. Air Canada even had it on regional jets. Only American Airlines is bucking the trend. And of course LCCs.
15 Sep 2016
Total posts 8
A real backward move here Qantas, this is definitely not how to increase your market share! Where are you are getting your "what passengers want" advice from....? Likely not from customers.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 402
Another mediocre “improvement” from Qantas. Sorry Qantas, but I don’t want to watch your entertainment on my phone sized screen. This race to the bottom is pathetic.
03 Aug 2020
Total posts 31
1 step forward ... 2 steps back. I wonder if Qantas will one day surprise everyone and come up with something that really is "eow"
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Mar 2013
Total posts 135
I know Qantas never crashed, but imagine for a moment the spectacle of 160 iPads in free-fall…
28 Jun 2025
Total posts 2
I have been on the A220 and that seat is comfy, I like where the USB ports are, up and accessible, I typically only access movies or music on longer flights anyway, say NSW to WA and beyond
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Jun 2019
Total posts 2
Gen Z here! I hate to tell this crowd, the reality is we prefer to consuming content on our devices these days… and if was Qantas who are designing seats for 20+ years… We’re the generation who’ll be flying the most…
28 Mar 2018
Total posts 41
Last year, I flew 60 times and only used the screen on intercontinental flights. Give me WIFI over years old TV shows.
It's people like me who aren't using the screens that are also part of the "problem".
Indeed, on most 737 flights, the majority of people I see seem to be using their own screens.
BTW, I'm an older guy who is into his 6th decade of flying Qantas. I'll happily join the younger generation on this change.
18 Sep 2018
Total posts 19
ChatGPT tells me the average male height in Australia is 175.6 cm which needs a minimum seat pitch of 30-31 inches, so it seems Qantas is already up to 2.54cm too short. I am in the unfortunate position of being 1.88 cm which needs a minimum seat pitch of 32 inches.
As for people suggesting I should pay more to fly in an exit row (nonA321XLR) I've tried it, I'm not a fan and I definitely wouldn't pay for the exit row experience with no floor storage, I assume no tablet holder, and a flimsy table that steals seat width.
QFF
16 Nov 2014
Total posts 16
watch content easily on the "fast and free internet"- how is that going to handle 140 pax all at once?? (good luck!)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 Jun 2023
Total posts 1
When they say these will be used on "domestic and short-range international routes" they mean domestic and trans Tasman, which begs the questions what distinguishes the Qantas product from Jetstar on these routes? Why would anyone pay a premium for QF?
03 Mar 2023
Total posts 61
Wow. No screens even in business? Can't wait to spend Qantas prices on business class and squint at a phone for 5 hours over the Nullarbor.. Never thought I'd see the day airlines like United and Air Canada offered more than Qantas on domestic flights. Both have seatback IFE. Qantas has a hide to charge what it does, particularly in business class.
28 Mar 2018
Total posts 38
Save weight and fuel but more I see potentially more personal tablets and increased risk of fire.
16 Oct 2012
Total posts 64
Surely a decision driven by accounts, who become the new go-to people for shaping customer service and engagement… in this case they save expenditure on hardware, installation, ongoing maintenance, and fuel - then dress it all up as better for passengers. To be fair to QF, they are hardly Robinson Caruso in this nickel and dimming mindset. VA Mk2 has become disappointingly adept at it too. Sadly, this is the new post-pandemic, bean-counter prioritised world. One where customer satisfaction gets only lip service when lined up against financial returns.
25 Feb 2024
Total posts 5
I have never been so uninspired in all my life.
13 Dec 2018
Total posts 2
30inch pitch ? and here i was thinking QF is a premium carrier.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 402
Somehow seats were more comfortable 25 years ago. Think Ansett's dark blue, thickly padded, fabric seats. We've regressed all in the name of "enhancements".
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