Qantas has revealed its next generation Premium Economy seat, which will debut on the airline’s fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from October 2017.
The seats are wider and have more functional space overall. The seat has a unique recline motion. When the rear of the seat reclines, several sections shift to support the passenger as they move into a more relaxing position.
Other key features of Premium Economy on the Qantas Dreamliner include:
- A separate cabin of 28 seats, configured in a two-three-two layout to improve aisle access for middle passengers
- A seat that is almost 10 per cent wider than Qantas’ existing Premium Economy as well as increased recline
- A headrest that can be fitted with a specially designed pillow and a re-engineered footrest that increases comfort when reclining
- High-definition Panasonic inflight entertainment seatback screens
- Five individual storage compartments and two USB charging points per seat
- shared AC power and a personal LED light designed to minimise disturbance of other passengers.
Alan Joyce, Qantas Group CEO:
“The Qantas Dreamliner will by flying some of the longest routes in the world, including non-stop from Perth to London, so we’ve focused on making each cabin the most comfortable in its class.”
“Our Business Suite has been dubbed ‘mini First Class’ by some of our Frequent Flyers and our Economy seat for the Dreamliner has features that some reserve for Premium Economy.
“This new Premium Economy seat has serious wow factor. You have to experience how well it supports you when you recline to realise it’s completely different from anything else in its class.”
The new Premium Economy seat is based on a prototype by Thompson Aero Seating and heavily customised by Australian industrial designer David Caon.
The Qantas Dreamliner will seat 236 passengers across Business, Premium Economy and Economy.
The first of eight Dreamliners will be delivered in October this year with Qantas’ first international 787 services will take flight in December between Melbourne and Los Angeles.
Flights between Perth and London, which will directly link Australia and Europe for the first time, begin in March 2018.
N.B. Image credit: Qantas
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