Qantas Premium Economy (merged thread)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
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Qantas Premium Economy (merged thread)
Hello people,
I know QF have Premium Economy coming in from February - has anyone heard when it's going to be bookable?
When I call the UK line, they tend to faint and repeat the "February" mantra, apart from one person who said she thought it would be on sale from "November".
Obviously I can wait to November to book travel in July, but I was wondering when it'll be on sale. I'm banking on it being of a similar price to the current BA WT+ on the SYD-LHR route (no doubt slightly more expensive as QF seems to be on this route).
Anyone?
I know QF have Premium Economy coming in from February - has anyone heard when it's going to be bookable?
When I call the UK line, they tend to faint and repeat the "February" mantra, apart from one person who said she thought it would be on sale from "November".
Obviously I can wait to November to book travel in July, but I was wondering when it'll be on sale. I'm banking on it being of a similar price to the current BA WT+ on the SYD-LHR route (no doubt slightly more expensive as QF seems to be on this route).
Anyone?
#2
Join Date: Jan 2006
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In another thread there was talk that no planes are yet fitted with Y+. 3 747s are offline now but it seems unlikely that they are being equipped at the moment as the discussion also said that final plans are not yet complete.
I would not be surprised if February start is put back
I would not be surprised if February start is put back
#3
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When NZ added premium economy it wasn't available for sale until quite late - for they wanted to ensure enough a/c were converted to support a route with acceptable (to them) risk of switching to an a/c that hadn't converted.
Thus there was a period after it first came out when some lucky status pax got premium economy seats for economy fare.
Thus there was a period after it first came out when some lucky status pax got premium economy seats for economy fare.
#4
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Programs: Virgin Australia Velocity Gold
Posts: 1,425
Qantas' new Premium Economy product is expected to go on sale within the next 3 weeks. I believe the decision has not yet been made as to which 747-400 will get the new product first, but it's already known it will be a Kangaroo configured 747-400 (14F/50J/315Y).
Cheers
Cheers
#6
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Programs: Virgin Australia Velocity Gold
Posts: 1,425
You raise a very valid question. Let me explain further.
Qantas would indeed require at least 3-4 planes to operate Y+ on QF1/QF2.
Basically what will happen is Qantas will upgrade 2 (likely figure) 747-400s during JAN/FEB/MAR08 and will fly them with a F/J/Y config. The aircraft will fly non-specific routes and select passengers will be allocated seating in the Economy Plus cabin (remembering it will be sold as all Y).
By around APR (and while the aircraft with Y+ are already flying) Qantas will have a further 1 to 2 aircraft upgraded to include Y+. Qantas will then decide on a set Y+ launch date and will start offering Y+ from that date onwards.
So while Y+ fares are due to go on sale within weeks, travel in the Y+ cabin (as a Y+ passenger) probably won't be available till April or May 2008.
That's how I see things panning out anyway. The actual rollout may be slightly different.
So there will be some lucky Y/C passengers who will get to fly in the Y+ cabin (again, this will be sold as Economy at that point in time - so normal Y class food and checkin etc) in the next few months (part of the soft launch).
Hope that explains things?
Cheers
#7
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Location: Dublin, Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci
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Lots of confusion at QF. I've been told -
* I don't know
* Premium Economy? That's BA.
And yesterday -
* Pricing is expected to be released this month, but it won't be bookable until next year, probably April.
... and we wait (and I hold off booking my flights).
* I don't know
* Premium Economy? That's BA.
And yesterday -
* Pricing is expected to be released this month, but it won't be bookable until next year, probably April.
... and we wait (and I hold off booking my flights).
#8
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 91
Qantas Premium Economy Goes on Sale Today - Nov. 13
On November 13, seats in Qantas' new international Premium Economy cabin went on sale.
Qantas Executive General Manager, Mr John Borghetti, said seats in the airline's new Premium Economy cabin would be available on select B747-400 services from:
Sydney to London via Singapore and Bangkok from April 1, 2008;
Sydney to Johannesburg from April 1, 2008;
Melbourne to London via Singapore and Hong Kong from May 16, 2008; and
Sydney to Hong Kong from August 3, 2008.
Premium Economy return fares from Sydney (including taxes, levies and charges) will start from:
Hong Kong - AU$1999
Johannesburg - AU$4217
Singapore - AU$2189
London - AU$4567
Bangkok - AU$2552
More details available at http://en.carnoc.com/list/5/5001.html
Qantas Executive General Manager, Mr John Borghetti, said seats in the airline's new Premium Economy cabin would be available on select B747-400 services from:
Sydney to London via Singapore and Bangkok from April 1, 2008;
Sydney to Johannesburg from April 1, 2008;
Melbourne to London via Singapore and Hong Kong from May 16, 2008; and
Sydney to Hong Kong from August 3, 2008.
Premium Economy return fares from Sydney (including taxes, levies and charges) will start from:
Hong Kong - AU$1999
Johannesburg - AU$4217
Singapore - AU$2189
London - AU$4567
Bangkok - AU$2552
More details available at http://en.carnoc.com/list/5/5001.html
#9
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Programs: Virgin Australia Velocity Gold
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Last I heard fares were to be released on 15NOV, seems they decided to start selling the product earlier. Thanks for posting ForeverCCA. Here's the Qantas.com press release with a few more details:
Seats in Qantas' new international Premium Economy cabin went on sale today.
Qantas Executive General Manager, Mr John Borghetti, said seats in the airline's new Premium Economy cabin would be available on select B747-400 services from:
- Sydney to London via Singapore and Bangkok from 1 April 2008;
- Sydney to Johannesburg from 1 April 2008;
- Melbourne to London via Singapore and Hong Kong from 16 May 2008; and
- Sydney to Hong Kong from 3 August 2008.
Premium Economy return fares from Sydney (including taxes, levies and charges) will start from:
- Hong Kong $1999
- Johannesburg $4217
- Singapore $2189
- London $4567
- Bangkok $2552
Mr Borghetti said Qantas' Premium Economy seat was designed by renowned Australian designer Marc Newson in association with Recaro, manufacturer of seats for the likes of Aston Martin, Audi and Porsche.
He said the airline's Premium Economy would offer:
- a brand new 19.5 inch wide seat;
- generous seat recline and leg room (up to 40 inch pitch);
- 8.4 inch in-arm touch screen video monitor;
- Neil Perry inspired menu with premium wines;
- ergonomic cushioning and an adjustable headrest; and
- noise cancelling headsets.
"Our service will also include priority check-in, dedicated cabin crew, an additional hand baggage allowance, and priority boarding and disembarkation," Mr Borghetti said
"Qantas will offer 32 Premium Economy seats on its B747-400 aircraft in a two-four-two configuration, and the product will also be available on select B747-400 services to the US from late 2008.
"The Qantas A380's spacious state-of-the-art interiors will include 32 Premium Economy seats in every aircraft in a two-three-two configuration."
Qantas will take delivery of its first A380 in August 2008, with services to commence in the last quarter of 2008.
Qantas Executive General Manager, Mr John Borghetti, said seats in the airline's new Premium Economy cabin would be available on select B747-400 services from:
- Sydney to London via Singapore and Bangkok from 1 April 2008;
- Sydney to Johannesburg from 1 April 2008;
- Melbourne to London via Singapore and Hong Kong from 16 May 2008; and
- Sydney to Hong Kong from 3 August 2008.
Premium Economy return fares from Sydney (including taxes, levies and charges) will start from:
- Hong Kong $1999
- Johannesburg $4217
- Singapore $2189
- London $4567
- Bangkok $2552
Mr Borghetti said Qantas' Premium Economy seat was designed by renowned Australian designer Marc Newson in association with Recaro, manufacturer of seats for the likes of Aston Martin, Audi and Porsche.
He said the airline's Premium Economy would offer:
- a brand new 19.5 inch wide seat;
- generous seat recline and leg room (up to 40 inch pitch);
- 8.4 inch in-arm touch screen video monitor;
- Neil Perry inspired menu with premium wines;
- ergonomic cushioning and an adjustable headrest; and
- noise cancelling headsets.
"Our service will also include priority check-in, dedicated cabin crew, an additional hand baggage allowance, and priority boarding and disembarkation," Mr Borghetti said
"Qantas will offer 32 Premium Economy seats on its B747-400 aircraft in a two-four-two configuration, and the product will also be available on select B747-400 services to the US from late 2008.
"The Qantas A380's spacious state-of-the-art interiors will include 32 Premium Economy seats in every aircraft in a two-three-two configuration."
Qantas will take delivery of its first A380 in August 2008, with services to commence in the last quarter of 2008.
#11
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,419
Agree it looks ridiculous for LHR and JNB in particular. When you can get F for not much more it seems crazy to pay those prices for what is not much better than regular economy (but double the fare).
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 949
Interesting that Pacific Config aircraft will have 40 seats, yet the A380 will only have 32, like the Kangaroo Config. Is this a sign that Qantas will now serve the Kangaroo route with A380 first. Or will Qantas release a new configuration, say with an all Business upper deck and 40 Premium Economy seats downstairs between First and Economy. I read a article last week where Geoff Dixon was talking about premium demand for airlines such as QF, BA, CX, SQ etc being at record highs. So maybe a 14/88/40/262 (roughly) A380 is not out of the question for Qantas.
The Qantas Premium Economy product seems good - the layout of the food from images seems to look like Domestic Business Class as opposed to Economy. Priority check-in and boarding lane, but I assume a lot of Premium Economy Flyers would be Premium Frequent Flyers anyway. Maybe when flying Qantas Silver/Qantas Club will no longer be offered Business Class check-in and instead Premium Economy check-in when flying overseas?
The Qantas Premium Economy product seems good - the layout of the food from images seems to look like Domestic Business Class as opposed to Economy. Priority check-in and boarding lane, but I assume a lot of Premium Economy Flyers would be Premium Frequent Flyers anyway. Maybe when flying Qantas Silver/Qantas Club will no longer be offered Business Class check-in and instead Premium Economy check-in when flying overseas?
Last edited by Platinum A332; Nov 12, 2007 at 7:37 pm Reason: Post cut off
#15
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