Review: Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner premium economy, Perth-London

Qantas has increased the pitch in Economy for the 787, but seems to have left it the same for Premium - meaning that there's hardly any difference in pitch between the two. But the big difference between the two classes is in seat width - Premium is 7 seats per row; Economy is 9.

And like other Premiums - this includes a hard, immovable armrest taking up lots of that perceived width!! No raising the armrest for a bit more space/sleep/recline comfort when the seat next you is empty.

Try Air New Zealand premium economy...I came back from Los Angeles on Saturday on their B787-9 in premium economy. It's nothing like QANTAS at all. I have used QANTAS premium economy a lot on their A380 and quite like it. But Air New Zealand sets the bar very high. Not possible for the person in front to encroach on your space because their seats are self-contained 'pods' with a very generous pitch. I could easily see why Air New Zealand consistently rates very well in Skytrax reviews. Also the dining on Air New Zealand premium economy was way better than my experiences on our QANTAS planes (but of course dining is subjective).

Nothing reflects Country Road either, just a form of advertising

You’ve obviously never flown Qantas Premium Economy

I for one prefer QF premium economy (and QF economy) as it both are far superior to EK economy especially the very cramped 10 across on the 777, okay for the Intra Asia regional flights but not 10+hr sectors.

I've flown both, and that comment just doesn't hold up.

That's like the comment about Qatar installing Y+ in their planes, CEO AlBaker said their Y seats were as good as Y+ on other airlines. Talk about laugh, just shook my head and laughed.

"Save yourselves the $$ and fly Emirates. Qantas premium economy is Emirates Economy."

I have flown EK and QF many times and EK economy always wins. More leg room, better food, much better drinks service (Bloody Mary comes with all individual ingredients and not just a pre mixed can), and I prefer the fresh lighter colour scheme.

Hi Worldwanderer...you should give Emirates one more chance...in business class long haul. It's uplifting, friendly and amazing how the trip goes when you're leaning on the bar having a drink, meeting new people. I concur with the skytrax public traveller survey which has put Emirates top of the list in Business class. Give it a go....you won't be disappointed, I'm sure!!

Totally agree with Alex. Yes, we all have different tastes and requirements when travelling, but I am definitely on the side of EK for long haul. Their balance just seems to work where QF just seems to make the lower limits - especially with their catering, bar service and of course the almighty seat arrangement.

The crew also are a big factor for the airlines and have been let me down on both EK and QF, but QF just seem to keep the standard lower on more occasions. So once again it is up to the seasoned travellerl to make the decision and this is where this forum makes for interesting reading when comparisons are made.

Happy flying!

Agree, Qantas have issues with consistency in Customer service and the food is pretty poor and lacking in volume in economy. I also dislike the way they serve you food in bits, rather than all on a tray and well presented like Emirates.

Alex...I concur.
Actually, when one looks at the results of Skytrax's public traveller surveys on many airlines, QANTAS hasn't rated well for many years; QANTAS could not in my view therefore be classed as a 'premium' airline.
The only thing QANTAS does well is premium economy...and only on their A380. I use this on QF7 and 8. Unfortunately though, their A380 cabin feels about as uplifting as the inside of a submarine...it's dull, dark and grey.
I fly often...in all classes, and my experience leads me to the same conclusion that skytrax's surveys all show, and that is Emirates overall offers the most highly regarded product.

While I don't necessarily agree with the consistent customer service comment, I agree about the volume of food issue, and it's not just in economy - I often feel half starved at the end of a J flight too. You can fill up on bread (which I don't eat) but the portions are tiny (and I'm a 5'5" small-ish woman so it's not like I'm demanding huge man-sized portions!)

When the ticket cost on Qantas is sometimes more then Emirates, my investment will be based on value for money.

AM - there's a "not" missing from your very last par.

If you compare with AC, CA, ER, SK, LH I might say that yes but not even with those... I have flown EK and their economy product is not even a shadow of what used to be... Even worst with 10 abreast in economy for the 777 and narrower seats in the 380 high density....and QF is much superior than many Asian and gulf carriers.yes QF don't fake smiles but Dam they are very good in service and kind and genuine Australian

Slightly ironic the sausage roll is served over the UAE...

Hi Skipp,

I'll agree with our previous statements that this is a good seat looking for some extra pitch to make it a great seat.

The designer of the seat explained that the net is better for taller people and the calf rest better for shorter. I'm approx 6" so I used the net.

"Australian BUSINESS Traveller" reviews Business class seating, not Economy. You'll need to find another website/blog for such reviews.

Business traveler, not business class traveler. Most people traveling for business these days are flying in economy.

We don't review international economy class. Plenty of mainstream websites and newspaper travel sections do this already. Our primary target audience are those who travel in premium cabins, which centre on business class flanked by first and premium economy.

@docsimonm - but as you point out, that was the old PE product. QF changed seats.

They also reduced the pitch from 42 inch to 38 on the new seat, I believe.

Hi flyingdr, thanks for your question. Service on this inaugural flight was excellent, but then again you would expect it to be with a hand picked crew that are excited to be on a historic flight. I've always found QF service to be friendly and casual, but not always perfect. I would not expect this to be any different on a standard QF9/10 flight.

Didn't have too many dramas. Yes, it can get busy at the end of a flight with people changing out of PJs and brushing their teeth etc, but it wasn't worse than any other recent flight I've been on.

In my opinion I'd take the 17 hour flight on a Dreamliner over a 13-14 hour flight on the A380. I didn't think I'd say that, but I've flown the Dreamliner a few times now and their strategies around jet lag works. I feel much better at the other end.

Hi SteveCF...I fly on B787 once every 3 weeks. (usually Air NZ or LATAM) and on A380 once every 10 weeks (QF7/8) and on Emirates A380 twice each year SYD-Birmingham or Manchester. I have flown twice on A350 (LATAM).
Lowering the cabin altitude from 8000ft to 6000ft does not affect passenger comfort (Clinical studies in UK have already established this). Aircraft travelling below 40,000ft will have a cabin pressure equivalent to about 7,000ft, so the difference is hardly noticeable.
It is cabin sound pressure level, wing stability and RATE at which the cabin pressure changes, that have the most significant effect on comfort. Airbus planes (A330, 340, 350, 380) slow the rate of pressure change down as the aircraft approaches its planned altitude. Sound pressure levels I have measured are generally lower in Airbus aircraft. B787 is the most quiet Boeing I have measured (68.4 dbA). A380 is the most quiet Airbus (57.3 dbA). Measured in economy sections immediately on the leading edge of the wing, centre of plane.
Moisture control is another aspect of comfort approached in a different way by different manufacturers. B787 maintains approx 10% to 15% relative humidity in the whole passenger cabin partly by circulating cabin air through the space between the hull and inner lining. (If you sit in certain window seats on a B787, you will hear noise from the recirc system). A350 provides about 20% to 25% relative humidity in First and Business. Economy section in an A350 still sits at about 18% relative humidity, depending on passenger load.
After reading all this, your comfort is further and considerably impacted by the seating class and position, the fluids you drink and the food you eat.

Thanks Private Pilot, Great information.

Ultimately I can only go by my experience hence stating my opinion after flying multiple aircraft type and carriers over the years. What Boeing and Qantas has put together for long haul worked very well for me and I think it's well worth trying the option rather than discounting altogether, which you're not saying, but providing instead some great science behind the product.

Thanks again.

I love the A380, but again, I suspect the majority of people flying economy don't even check what plane they are flying. If they are getting 90%loads on these flights, then at least for the time being, it indicates it's been a wise decision to start the direct LHR flights. Hopefully Paris and Frankfurt follow in the coming years.

I’m assuming why the loads are so big for the QF9/10 Perth - London route for the immediate future is due to a mixture of curious passengers trialling the route, combined with a lot of passengers who were transferred onto the new route by Qantas after originally booking themselves on the previous QF9 A380 aircraft (via Dubai).

AusBT is not designed to cater to the "majority" of travellers.

Agreed, but a fallacy that every businessman always travels in business, premium economy or (where it exists: becoming rare) in first class on flights.

Probs too hard for the CEO to go incognito, but I’m willing to give it a go if QF’s willing :)

QF provide portable foot rests for bulkhead seats on the 787.