Qantas A220 economy class review
This compact jet offers free Wi-Fi and plenty of extra legroom seats, but it’s BYO entertainment...
By David Flynn, November 13 2025
Part of an overdue modernisation of the Qantas fleet, the Airbus A220 is quickly becoming the nimble workhorse of the regional QantasLink fleet.
It’s already replaced the rattling and now-retired Boeing 717 on key intercity routes along Australia’s east coast, and from February 2026 will spread its wings to New Zealand.
Qantas expects to have 29 QantasLink A220s in its hangars by the end of 2027.
Economy passengers on the QantasLink A220 can look forward to a light and bright cabin design, large windows and overhead lockers, and fast free Wi-Fi.
But they won’t get seatback video screens, which Qantas is largely removing across its new domestic fleet.
Qantas A220 economy class review
The QantasLink A220 has 127 relatively comfortable economy seats.
The Qantas A220 economy class cabin.
Each seat is 18” wide and covered in a breathable woollen weave fabric.
Unlike the more familiar Boeing 737, the A220’s economy cabin is arranged in a 2-3 layout.
The Qantas A220 seatmap.
This puts two seats at the left side of the plane, while across the aisle on the right are three seats.
The immediate upshot: not only are there fewer of the dreaded middle seats, but these pairs (which Qantas denotes as the A and C seats) are ideal for couples travelling together.
The 2-3 layout of the Qantas A220 economy class cabin.
Qantas A220 Economy Plus extra legroom seats
Most of the A220 economy seats have a standard 30” pitch and offer sufficient wiggle-room for passengers, especially at knee-level.
But the first six rows on the left side of the plane are extra legroom seats boasting a more generous 34” pitch.
Here’s how the legroom compares between those dozen seats (on the left) versus the standard A220 economy seat legroom (on the right).
Qantas A220 economy: extra legroom vs standard legroom.
So if you want a bit more space to stretch out on your next Qantas A220 flight, look to choose the A or C seat in rows 4 through 9.
Of course, you’ll be paying extra on top of the standard airfare: expect around $30-$60 depending on how long the flight is.
From early 2026 these seats, along with the emergency exit at row 12, will be part of Qantas’ new Economy Plus option, which will add the practical perks of priority boarding and ‘priority access’ to the luggage bins directly above your seat.
Row 4 is particularly notable for legroom. Being the first row of economy, it sits directly behind the A220s business class cabin.
The two cabins are separated by a small ceiling-hung divider...
The Qantas A220's cabin divider.
... which also serves up plenty of legroom for row 4 passengers, although the architecture of the business class seats still gets in the way.
The extra legroom in 4D is offset by the mounts of the business class seat in front.
As previously mentioned, the Qantas A220 doesn’t come with inflight entertainment (IFE) screens.
The Qantas A220 lacks inflight video screens.
In their place is a smartphone/tablet holder which flips down from the seat in front.
BYO inflight entertainment on the Qantas A220.
Next to this are USB-C and USB-A sockets.
There's also an AC power socket shared between every two economy seats.
Qantas A220 economy passengers have access to AC power outlets.
And of course, every A220 passenger can access fast free Wi-Fi, which in our experience averages 10-15Mbps: sufficient for most streaming, Web browsing, email and so on.
The Qantas A220 experience
Like Dr Who’s TARDIS, the A220 cabin seems bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside.
There’s a surprising sense of openness and space which belies the plane’s compact dimensions.
The A220’s windows add to this: in addition to being taller than those of the Boeing 717 they’re set higher in the fuselage, with the net effect of bringing more natural light into the cabin.
The choice of soft relaxed colours in the economy seats contributes to the sense of ‘lightness’ in the cabin, as does the way the deep overhead bins curve up towards the ceiling.
The A220’s overhead bins have room enough for one standard-sized roller bag per passenger, and they swing down lower than you might expect, making it easier to load and unload those bags.
And it’s hard to understate how quiet the A220 is: even on take-off, it’s not much louder than a 717 at cruise altitude.
In short, there’s really nothing not to love about flying on the A220, especially if you’re used to the Boeing 717.
The only real shortcoming is the lack of seatback video screens, but that’s an easy workaround, especially when you can tap into free Wi-Fi.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 402
I'm not sure why Qantas has opted for a bland, grey and beige interior for its new aircraft. It looks completely underwhelming when walking on board. These 'upgraded' slimline seats are also tiny with massive gaps between each seat. I'm sick to death of airlines marketing their new seats as better than the ones they replace, when they have less padding and feel like sitting on an ironing board.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2022
Total posts 2
Frustrating they're not keeping extra legroom seats available to all free-of-charge within T-24
23 Feb 2017
Total posts 26
BYO entertainment. A book? RC
10 Sep 2018
Total posts 9
Thanks for the article David. I was an American Airlines platinum member for a long time and then benefit I actually enjoyed the most was booking extra room seating for free at the time of booking for my family of five. Made travelling in economy so much easier with a couple of extra inches of room.
Do you know what the Qantas policy is for booking these seats for free for ones self and or family?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 Aug 2017
Total posts 29
No mention of the inadequate / sub standard catering on the A220s (was essentially non-existent on a recent HBA - SYD flight.
Also the seats are already showing wear and signidicant staining. Hard to balance light / open interiour and also appear clean.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 402
I agree. The catering I received recently on a HBA-SYD flight leaving around midday was a biscuit. I've been on plenty of QantasLink A220 flights now and none of the head-rests have worked properly, they all slide down to the lowest possible position and stay there.
10 Feb 2012
Total posts 12
I just flew Business class in 1B to Canberra. The sad result is no over bin availability for row 1, due to staff having those lockers. You pay for business class and at least expect an overhead bin. I had to use Row 2/3. I thought the airbus introduction was to increase overhead luggage space. Also Ended up only having a bottle of water. No meal choice, just some pastry that no one wanted. At least the flight attendant asked, if we wanted a meal and a drink before take off. Allows then time with such a short flight. Felt for the crew with such a short flight. But seriously, where is the space.? I only had a small laptop bag. I had to go to row2/3?? So much for business class. Such a waste of money for nothing.
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