Premium Economy On Qantas

[Ryan N]

I would have thought the bumps would be less obvious in the upper deck of the A380 due to its large size. Not sure if it is much different to a 747, but I remember being quite a smooth flight on the old old old Ansett 747 to HKG on the upper deck.

[Ryan N]

Just in terms of greater features over economy, here is what I have found so far.

* larger baggage limit (40kg compared to 30kg),
* priority boarding and disembarking,
* separate line at check in,
* business class meals,
* champagne/juice prior to take off,
* separate cabin,
* more legroom,
* wider seats (though only by an inch, isn't it?),

Is the amenity kit the same as economy or better? Have I missed anything else?

[Brendan Lawrence]

All of what you mentioned Ryan, plus:

* noise-cancelling headphones,
* same selection of wines as Business,
* same meals as Domestic Business (just to clarify Ryan's point - not same as International J) - served on china crockery with glassware and metal cutlery,
* personal welcome from Customer Service Supervisor,
* 3 crew dedicated to Premium and the small Upper Deck Economy cabin (A380),
* greater seat recline than Economy,
* extendable footrest,
* the seat and cabin has won Skytrax World's Best in class.

I think Premium Economy is the best value-for-money cabin on the aircraft - our customers almost always give great comments and feedback on their experience as they disembark.

Hope this helps!

[Matt_L]

Are the availability of PE seats very limited?
I did an on departure upgrade on QF32 ex Singapore to Sydney 2 years back and it cost $150 which I thought was well worth it..
I wouldn't pay 2x Y though!

[Ash W]

Originally Posted by Ryan N

I would have thought the bumps would be less obvious in the upper deck of the A380 due to its large size. Not sure if it is much different to a 747, but I remember being quite a smooth flight on the old old old Ansett 747 to HKG on the upper deck.

Nothing to do with the upper deck, but everything to do with location. The difference is on the A380 PE is at the BACK of the plane on the 747 you are middle to front.

Now as a kid do you remember playing on a seesaw? If so you would recall that sitting on the end you had a massive amount of movement up and down, but if you sat in the middle (with two kids on either side of course) the movement was minimal. Same too with aircraft, though two differences are the pivot point is further towards the front of the a/c, not smack bang in the middle and with an a/c you also feel left to right movements too, again being amplified down the back.

The worst a/c for feeling this are the longer a/c like the A340-600, A380 and 777-300's. Shorter a/c it isn't felt as much, simply because the movement isn't as much.

I have sat twice in Qantas PE on the A380 and once on Emirates economy on A380 right down the back and felt the movements. Maybe I am more sensitive to it, who knows, but simple fact is the back moves a lot more than being in the middle or even the front (due to the pivot being more forward)

[Kelvin R]

PE is no longer at the back of the A380 since the reconfigs have been completed. More Y seating is now there.

[Thomas Collins]

Ash - I think you may have inbuilt accelerometers...

You are ultra sensitive.

[Ash W]

Originally Posted by Kelvin R

PE is no longer at the back of the A380 since the reconfigs have been completed. More Y seating is now there.

It is futher forward for sure, by 3 or 4 rows but still at the back.

[Ryan N]

Another benefit on premium economy I've noticed is advanced seat selection, which cost $25 per sector in economy.

Also, if I have a confirmed booking in premium economy but registered for an upgrade to business class, am I able to check in at the business class counters at the airport?

[Danfeng Qian]

Is Premium Economy boarding after or along with Business class?
Booked on QF5 & 6.