TominScotland flew Qantas Premium Economy, on a A380-800 (19/08/2012 11:08)

This was my first experience of QF's widely praised Premium Economy product so I was looking forward to the experience. I transfered from BA domestic in T5 with the bus and was soon in the BA First Lounge in T3, a very pleasent space if not aesthetically pleaseing as its counterpart in T5. Being a Saturday, my connections timing gave me plenty of time to relax and work there as the Lounge rapidly filled up in anticipation of four BA and two QF long-haul flights.

I made my way to Gate 1 in plenty of time for the flight and only had a short wait before passengers were called forward, PE immediately after Business through the airbridge to the upper deck. PE is in a small cabin at the rear of the upper deck and, with just 32 seats, is a peaceful space. It was by no means full, either, so I had a free seat next to me in the 2-3-2 configuration.

The seats remind me of old-style business class in some airlines - an adequate footrest and a goodly but by no means flat recline. Legroom is very generous and would allow window and centre seat passengers to step over neighbours withour disturbance. Row 38 near the back is the emergency exit and looks by far the best option. As it was, I was in 35F, the second row of PE.

Some passengers complain about young children on flights - two young lads with their parents sitting near me made the trip for me as they waited for departure - "Are we blasting off soon, Mummy?'. It was priceless and they and one other youngster in the cabin were perfectly behaved throughout the flight.

We were offered Australian sparkling or juice/water on boarding and a simple amenity set was on seats together with very comfortable noise reduction headphones, a thick blanket and pillow. Menus, detailing Supper (starter, two interesting but not particularly healthy choices and dessert) and breakfast - Continental or cooked, were handed out soon after our on-time take off. Service was relatively swift after take-off and the two dedicated PE cabin staff plus the CSD made a point of greeting each passenger by name and enquiring about connecting flights and other requirements. Nicely done!!

Meal service is accompanied by a table cloth, real napkin and quality cutlery which makes meals and experience rather than something just to tolerate. I had the very tasty chicken pie and vegetables main and this was cleared in time for me to try the IFE system which has a good sized screen but is rather disappointing in the choices available and not a patch on Emirates.

I then settled down to sleep and managed close to 8 hours with just a comfort break in the middle. Qantas PE passengers have access to an extensive night-time menu of hot snacks (panninis), plentiful fresh fruit (a real bonus) and other less healthy options but I satisfied byself with a pear.

I woke some 2.5 hours out of Singapore and soon afterwards breakfast service commenced. This was somewhat odd in that, even though i was in the second row to be served, the Continental option was no longer available once they had served the for passengers ahead of me....... That said, the scrambled eggs and bacon looked first class so I surrendered to the alternative!!

We touched down in Changi on time and I disembarked to find the BA/QF First Lounge and the pleasure of a shower before my connecting flight.

QF's PE experience exceeded by expectations, having travelled with a number of other airlines in this cabin. With the exception of the availability of breakfast options, I could not fault what is a real value-for-money alternative to Business Class.

SpeedbirdAbz flew Qantas Premium Economy, on a A380-800 (13/07/2012 12:30)

After arriving in Australia via Qantas Economy and having a perfectly pleasant journey, I wondered if I had thrown my money away on my upgrade to Premium Economy on the way back.

As has been said before, this is definitely a Business Minus product rather than an Economy Plus.

Faultless, friendly service from all the crew in the two legs SYD/SIN/LHR up in the Premium Economy cabin at the rear of the upper deck on the A380. The cabin services director came round us all one by one and introduced himself and the crew who would be looking after us for the flight, addressing us all by name. That was a great touch for a Premium Economy cabin - I hardly remember that in BA Club.

Business Class meals served of great quality, choice of wines, comfortable seat with a greater recline than I had expected, and the usual Qantas terrific entertainment system made this a fantastic journey. Plenty drinks offered through the whole flight plus of course the self-serve bar is great for stretching legs and grabbing a snack if required.

10 out of 10 Qantas, a fantastic product.

frustratedflyer flew Qantas Premium Economy, on a A380-800 (21/02/2010 12:24)

Probably the best Premium Economy product I have tried. Was in seat 34B at the front of the cabin - a good seat. If you prefer windows 34A has a locker similar to but smaller than the ones found upstairs on a B747. Probably the best seats are in row 38 as they have more legroom than row 34 with the bulkhead. 38J & K have the emergency exit in front and 38D,E & F have also got a lot of space in front of them to allow access to the emergency exits. Service was good, food superb for a premium economy class and the IFE one of the best around although some people had a few problems mine worked throughout.