Qantas is introducing Premium Economy on board its fleet of 20 Airbus A380 aircraft, due for delivery from August 2008.
The aircraft will be configured with 450 seats – 14 in First, 72 in Business, 32 in Premium Economy cabin and 332 in Economy.
The new Premium Economy cabin, located on the upper deck of the aircraft behind the Business cabin, will offer extra width and recline, more legroom and a fully adjustable, in-arm, digital wide screen television monitor.
Customers will be offered menus by Neil Perry’s Rockpool Group, premium wines, superior tableware and soft furnishings.
Qantas had also begun updating the interiors of its international Boeing 747-400 fleet with some of the elements designed for its A380 aircraft, including introducing a Premium Economy cabin from February 2008.
In the new A380 Business cabin, there will be a private lounge on the upper deck of the aircraft featuring leather sofas, a self-service bar, large video monitor with laptop connectivity and a feature display cabinet
In Economy cabin, four self-service bars will be introduced enabling passengers to help themselves to refreshments throughout the flight.
The Panasonic Inflight Entertainment System will have over 100 on demand movies, in-seat access to email and the internet as well as wireless connectivity for customers with their own laptop.
By Bev Fearis
