A Double Whammy: Qantas Lauches Economy Plus and A220 Flights from Brisbane

On 2 February 2026, Australia’s flag carrier Qantas (QF) has launched a historic milestone in its fleet renewal strategy by deploying its Airbus A220‑300 aircraft on its first international scheduled flight between Brisbane Airport (BNE) and Wellington Airport (WLG), New Zealand. This trans‑Tasman service marks the A220’s transition from domestic and regional routes into Qantas’ international network, as it replaces the Embraer E190 and Boeing 737s it operated on this route.

Alongside the A220 deployment, Qantas, which only a month ago unveiled food that is indigenous and locally produced, has also unveiled its new Economy Plus product, which offers passengers increased legroom and priority services across multiple aircraft types. Introduced in early February 2026, Economy Plus is now available on the A220 as well as on Boeing 737 and Airbus A321XLR aircraft, with further expansion planned to Airbus A330s later in 2026.

Qantas’ A220: First International Service

On 2 February 2026, QantasLink operated the first A220‑300 international flight from Brisbane to Wellington, a route that will be served up to three times weekly. This initiative is part of a broader fleet renewal program encompassing more than 200 new aircraft orders aimed at boosting efficiency, reliability, and passenger comfort.

During the occasion of Qantas’ first international service using the A220, Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan Graaff said that operating the aircraft type on international services out of Brisbane is “a win for the city and for residents living under flight corridors“:

“This next-generation aircraft is significantly quieter and fuel efficient, giving travellers a more comfortable and sustainable way to fly. For communities under flight paths, that means quieter arrivals and departures, bringing a noticeable reduction in the day-to-day impact of aircraft noise.”

The A220 demonstrates several advantages over older regional aircraft, including reduced noise footprint and up to 25% less fuel burn per seat. The aircraft has a maximum seating capacity of 137 passengers, featuring 10 Business Class seats in a 2‑2 configuration and 127 in Economy with a 2‑3 layout — an arrangement designed to balance comfort and operational efficiency.

QantasLink Chief Executive Officer Mark Dal Pra described the introduction of the Airbus A220-300 as a significant milestone in the airline’s fleet renewal. He said customer feedback on the aircraft had been highly positive and highlighted its suitability for Brisbane and a range of trans-Tasman and Pacific routes due to its size and operating economics.

Qantas’ Airbus A220-300 features a 137-seat two-class cabin, comprising 10 Business Class and 127 Economy seats. Business Class offers a 2-2 layout, 37-inch pitch, 23.9-inch-wide seats, calf rests, wireless charging, and enhanced storage, while Economy uses a 2-3 layout with 30-inch pitch, 18-inch-wide seats, USB charging, and tablet holders.

Qantas’ Economy Plus Cabin Enhancement

Coinciding with the A220’s international launch, Qantas has introduced Economy Plus, a new cabin product aimed at providing extra personal space and service perks for economy passengers.

Economy Plus is now operational on Boeing 737, Airbus A220, and Airbus A321XLR aircraft on routes within Australia and to select international destinations such as New Zealand and Pacific islands.

Advantages of Economy Plus include:

• Up to 40% more legroom than standard Economy seating.

• Priority boarding and overhead locker access.

• Dedicated seating zones near the front of aircraft.

The product is also designed to reward frequent flyers; Platinum One and Platinum members receive complimentary access at booking, while Gold members gain access 24 hours prior to departure subject to availability.

Here are the pricing details of the A220 on some of the most popular rotes of Qantas:

• Sydney to Melbourne: AU$30–50 one way, or 5,000–8,500 Qantas Points

• Sydney to Perth: AU$70–105 one way, or 12,000–17,500 Qantas Points

• Melbourne to Denpasar: AU$90–130 one way, or 15,000–22,000 Qantas Points

• Melbourne to Auckland: AU$35–55 one way, or 6,000–9,500 Qantas Points

For bookings made before 6 February 2026, original seat selections will be honoured even if those seats are later reclassified as Economy Plus, though voluntary changes may trigger fees.

The airline also notes that selecting seats before check-in opens offers the widest choice, as Economy Plus and Forward seats become restricted to eligible Frequent Flyers once check-in begins 24 hours prior to departure.

Bottom Line

Qantas’ deployment of the Airbus A220‑300 on its first international service between Brisbane (BNE) and Wellington (WLG) marks a significant shift in its network strategy, driven by fleet renewal and passenger experience improvements. Alongside the introduction of the Economy Plus product, these developments enhance Qantas’ competitive position on trans‑Tasman and short‑haul international markets.

Markus Svensson, Qantas Domestic CEO said that Qantas Economy Plus would deliver additional flexibility for customers and benefits for frequent flyers when travelling:

“Qantas Economy Plus brings together extra legroom, priority boarding and  priority access to overhead bin space; all the elements we know make a real difference to our customers when flying. We’ve seen strong interest in Qantas Economy Plus from customers already, and we know it will be a great benefit for both our business and leisure travellers.”