updated opinions on Qantas Premium Economy

[maz1]

At the moment I have two Premium Economy seats from LAX to MEL in OcI've not seen any more become available since I scored these quite a while ago.

I'm wondering if anyone has flown in these seats lately, and if so, how was it?

or, should I use more QFF points to upgrade to Business?

thanks in advance

 

[ashleyn]

At the moment I have two Premium Economy seats from LAX to MEL in OcI've not seen any more become available since I scored these quite a while ago.

I'm wondering if anyone has flown in these seats lately, and if so, how was it?

or, should I use more QFF points to upgrade to Business?

thanks in advance

I'm sure everyone will tell you if you can afford $ or points for J then do it. The jump up from Y+ to J is a quantum leap. Having said that, if your budget can only stretch to Y+, you won't be disappointed in my experience in comparison to basic Y.

 

[maz1]

Thanks for the advice and the prompt reply

 

[ellen10]

I have previously flown Premium economy long haul and was happy with the product.
However last year i flew Business class to LA and then premium economy to New York and was disappointed in Premium Economy, no extendable foot rest etc. etc.

But I think I was spoilt because I loved Business class.
So yes I think you will enjoy Premium economy as long as you have not flown Business class beforehand.

Unless you have status I think it will be very hard to use points for business class.
Good luck.

 

[Sdtravel]

I have been Y+ sever times to the US with QF.
Loved it. Got some good sleep and love the QF service. Personal greetings most of the time. A380 has side storage on the window (although J does to if we are comparing). I have QP membership so that helped.
Ive also done J on a points upgrade from JFK to SYD. Also great. I got 5B (or A don't remember ) has extra storage next to the seat. Although its a single seat and it sounds like you are traveling with someone.

Friend of mine has a few gripes though. Thinks the meal service is slow. I just say its personal since they lay a table cloth and serve you individually. He is just used to Y where its get it out fast and move on. To each their own.

I guess im a little biased as i always enjoy flying QF but i do think it's worth it.
Have been CX Y+ which is more economy plus than business minus like QF if that makes sense.
CX don't have a personal service in Y+. No dedicated FA (they expect J FA's to come down which doesnt happen except for meals) you are stuck waiting for anything. Meal service is economy style. Get it done fast so FA can get back to their own cabin.
Perhaps CX has improved. Who knows.

 

[Lowjhg]

If you have flown domestic QF Business class, you'll be amazed at how similar the products are to international Premium Economy. Very top notch product in the realm of PE offerings in comparison to the other carriers that offer it. QF is simply J- whilst the others are literally Y+. If you do drink alcohol, the PE wine list is identical to the J wine list, other than the champagne of course. PE gets an Australian sparkling, though still a top notch sparkling product!

 

[Matt_Sullivan]

SDtravel has it right that QF v CX is business minus v economy plus. I am based in HK and regularly fly CX (Diamond) and only occasionally QF. Just did QF premium down to Sydney and was impressed with the quality of the wine (and interesting, family winery choices:Tulloch Hunter Shiraz, Best's Pinot), food and service. All superior to CX, whose wine is nowhere near that good even in business. Sometimes I think CX Y+ only exists to stop us upgrading from economy to business and to provide a little upgrade to Diamonds flying Y. It's not a great product in and of itself. QF is pretty good though

 

[Matt_Sullivan]

As an interesting contrast, yesterday I flew QF J SYD to HKG and then connected to CX J to CGK (long story behind that routing). Anyway, QF again well ahead on wine, and ahead on food, service on par, but man do I really prefer the CX J seat over the QF J seat. I just can't get comfortable in that QF seat -- to the extent I wouldn't spend the extra money on QF to go Y+ to J, but would on CX

 

[kelvedon]

I flew QF J SYD to HKG and then connected to CX J to CGK (long story behind that routing).

You'll do well here!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

At the moment I have two Premium Economy seats from LAX to MEL in OcI've not seen any more become available since I scored these quite a while ago.

I'm wondering if anyone has flown in these seats lately, and if so, how was it?

or, should I use more QFF points to upgrade to Business?

thanks in advance

Seat choice makes the big difference. If you can score a bulkhead you can use a full sized cabin bag on the floor in front of you to create a fully horizontal legrest. Makes sleeping much easier. Plus you don't have someone in front. The recline on the PE seats is generous - if you get stuck behind a recliner it is difficult to get out to access the aisle.

 

[Mike65]

I fly this semi regularly in either of Y or J, only once Y+ (which I wasn't that impressed with). If you can, I'd definitely try for the points upgrade to J. One of the best value use of points.

 

[get me outta here]

MEL, your comment re the bulkhead leg room is interesting, does it apply to plain Y though on a 747 - QF 127 SYD-HKG?

Seat choice makes the big difference. If you can score a bulkhead you can use a full sized cabin bag on the floor in front of you to create a fully horizontal legrest. Makes sleeping much easier. Plus you don't have someone in front. The recline on the PE seats is generous - if you get stuck behind a recliner it is difficult to get out to access the aisle.

 

[JohnK]

Seat choice makes the big difference. If you can score a bulkhead you can use a full sized cabin bag on the floor in front of you to create a fully horizontal legrest. Makes sleeping much easier. Plus you don't have someone in front. The recline on the PE seats is generous - if you get stuck behind a recliner it is difficult to get out to access the aisle.

Especially if you have mobility issues.

Bulkhead premium economy would be the preferred option otherwise 43H is just as good as any other premium economy seat. You can keep the food and the wine.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

MEL, your comment re the bulkhead leg room is interesting, does it apply to plain Y though on a 747 - QF 127 SYD-HKG?

i dunno to be honest. I know most economy bulkheads don't have enough room for the bag-as-a-leg rest, there might be more room on QF bulkheads?

 

[get me outta here]

John and MEL, we got row 43, but it is not PE on QF 127. I will not be popular if I put her in a squashed leg room seat.

Especially if you have mobility issues.

Bulkhead premium economy would be the preferred option otherwise 43H is just as good as any other premium economy seat. You can keep the food and the wine.

 

[JohnK]

John and MEL, we got row 43, but it is not PE on QF 127. I will not be popular if I put her in a squashed leg room seat.

Don't worry and trust me. Row 43 economy with bulkhead with cut-out in front is perfect.

Row 60 bulkhead has less legroom but I may still choose this seat to avoid chronic recliners.

 

[get me outta here]

But didn't you say no recliners in front of row 43 due to bulkhead, so why would you decamp to row 60?

Don't worry and trust me. Row 43 economy with bulkhead with cut-out in front is perfect.
Row 60 bulkhead has less legroom but I may still choose this seat to avoid chronic recliners.

 

[JohnK]

But didn't you say no recliners in front of row 43 due to bulkhead, so why would you decamp to row 60?

If row 43 aisle not available at time of booking. Exit row too expensive.

 

[clazman]

Agreed with CX PE is economy plus and CX J is more comfortable than QF J

 

[maz1]

I have previously flown Premium economy long haul and was happy with the product.
However last year i flew Business class to LA and then premium economy to New York and was disappointed in Premium Economy, no extendable foot rest etc. etc.

But I think I was spoilt because I loved Business class.
So yes I think you will enjoy Premium economy as long as you have not flown Business class beforehand.

Unless you have status I think it will be very hard to use points for business class.
Good luck.

mmm-- yep, we have flown business before- and i was lucky enough to get business going over to LA (although with American, which i believe isn't the most fabulous) and, sadly, I don't have status, so, it looks like we're going to have to take premium economy and thank our lucky stars it isn't just plain ol' econ ;0