If you’re flying to Australia from the UK, US or Europe, there’s a good chance Qantas is on your shortlist. Australia’s national carrier has one of the most iconic reputations in aviation — the “Spirit of Australia,” the flying kangaroo, the safety record that’s become aviation legend. But does the economy class product live up to the name when you’re crammed into row 52 for 17 hours? I’ve flown Qantas economy on multiple long-haul routes and this is my honest, warts-and-all review.
The short version: Qantas economy is genuinely good. It’s not the best in the sky, but it’s comfortably above average, and the little Australian touches — the food, the crew, the entertainment — make the journey distinctly pleasant.
📋 TL;DR — the quick version
- ✅ Seats are reasonably comfortable with decent pitch (31–32 inches on 787s and A380s).
- 🎬 Entertainment is excellent — one of the best in-flight systems on long-haul.
- 🍽️ Food has improved significantly and is above average for economy class.
- 👥 Crew are warm, attentive and distinctly Australian in the best way.
- 💰 Price can be high — Qantas economy is often more expensive than competitors for the same route.
- 📱 Wi-Fi is available but patchy and not particularly fast.
- 🛏️ Sleep is possible but the seats don’t recline far — bring a good neck pillow.
✈️ The aircraft: what you’re flying on
Qantas’ long-haul fleet is primarily made up of Airbus A380s (used on Sydney/Melbourne to London, Los Angeles and Singapore), Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners (used on many medium and long-haul routes including Perth-London direct), and Boeing 737s for shorter domestic hops. For most travellers flying to or from Australia internationally, you’ll be on either the A380 or the 787-9.
Both are excellent aircraft — the 787 in particular has genuinely better air quality, higher cabin pressure (equivalent to 6,000 feet rather than the usual 8,000) and larger windows than older wide-body aircraft. This matters on a long flight: many passengers report feeling fresher and less dehydrated on 787 routes. The A380 is enormous, with three classes of service and a distinctive double-deck configuration. Economy is on the main deck at the back, and the sheer size of the aircraft makes it feel stable and quiet even in turbulence.
💺 The seats: what’s the legroom really like?
Qantas economy seats on the A380 have a pitch of 31–32 inches, which is average for the industry. It’s not cramped, but it’s not spacious either — if you’re over 6 feet tall, you’ll want to consider an exit row. On the 787-9, the configuration is 3-3-3 in economy, which means the middle seat in the centre section. Avoid the centre middle seat at all costs on a 17-hour flight.
Seat width is around 17–18 inches, which is standard but far from generous. The recline is limited — roughly 4 inches — which is enough to take the edge off but won’t let you sleep flat. The headrests are adjustable and can be bent inward to support your head from both sides, which makes sleeping considerably easier than a fixed flat headrest.
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🎬 Entertainment: the highlight of the experience
The Qantas in-flight entertainment system is genuinely excellent. The touchscreen is responsive and the content library is extensive — hundreds of movies, TV shows, documentaries, podcasts, music albums and even audiobooks. The interface is intuitive and easy to use, which matters when you’re bleary-eyed at 3am over the Indian Ocean.
If you’re planning further afield, our guides to Emirates Economy Class Australia Review are well worth a look.
The screen size in economy is around 11–13 inches depending on the aircraft, which is large enough to actually enjoy a film. Noise-cancelling headphones are provided (not premium quality, but functional), and there are USB and USB-C charging ports at every seat, plus a power outlet under the seat. One particular highlight: Qantas has a moving map feature that shows the flight path in real time, with information about what you’re flying over. It’s a small thing, but watching yourself pass over the Himalayas or cross the Timor Sea makes the journey feel more like an adventure.
🍽️ Food and drink: better than you’d expect
Qantas has invested heavily in its food programme in recent years, and it shows. Economy meals are actually good — not just edible, but genuinely tasty. The airline sources Australian produce where possible and the menus have a distinctly Australian character: think lamb, barramundi, and pavlova for dessert.
On a typical long-haul flight, you’ll receive two full meals plus a snack service. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, gluten-free and children’s meals are all available — order these at least 48 hours before departure via Manage Booking on the Qantas website. Wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks are included and served throughout the flight, with Australian wines featuring prominently.
One tip: Qantas has a “Snack Bar” service on A380 flights where you can help yourself to snacks between meal services. It’s tucked away near the galley and includes fruit, chips, biscuits and drinks. Worth knowing about if you wake up hungry at midnight.
👥 The crew: Australian warmth at 40,000 feet
The Qantas cabin crew are, in my experience, consistently excellent. There’s a warmth and lack of pretension to Australian service culture that comes through clearly in the air — you’re not being served, you’re being looked after by someone who genuinely seems pleased to help. Requests are handled efficiently and cheerfully, and the overall tone is relaxed and friendly without being unprofessional.
On a 17-hour flight, the attitude of the crew matters enormously. I’ve flown with airlines where the staff seem to resent being there, and it casts a shadow over the whole journey. Qantas doesn’t have this problem — and that matters more than almost any other single factor on a very long flight.
🛏️ Sleeping: can you actually rest?
This is the honest answer: sleeping in Qantas economy is possible but challenging. The seats recline only slightly, the cabin can be noisy, and the lighting is controlled by the crew rather than individually — which means the lights may come on for a meal service just when you’ve finally fallen asleep.
To maximise sleep: bring a quality neck pillow, an eye mask, earplugs or good noise-cancelling headphones, and dress in layers so you can adjust to the temperature. The 787 Dreamliner’s lower cabin altitude makes a genuine difference to how you feel after sleeping. Exit row seats (which cost extra to book in advance) are worth the fee on a very long flight — the extra legroom allows you to stretch out properly.
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💰 Is Qantas economy worth the price?
Here’s the honest truth: Qantas economy often costs more than Singapore Airlines, Emirates or Qatar Airways for the same route and dates. Whether it’s worth the premium depends on what you value. If you value crew quality and the Australian experience, yes — Qantas is worth a modest premium. If you’re comparing a $200 price difference for a comparable seat and similar entertainment, consider Singapore Airlines instead (whose economy product is marginally better across the board).
If the price difference is $500 or more, I’d recommend the cheaper competitor. The gap between Qantas economy and Singapore or Emirates economy is notable but not transformative. Book it when the price is competitive, use points if you have them, and remember: you’re flying to Australia. Check our guide to the cost of travelling Australia to budget the rest of your trip once you land.
🏆 Final verdict
Qantas economy is genuinely good. The food is excellent, the entertainment is top-tier, the crew are wonderful, and the aircraft (especially the 787 Dreamliner) make the journey more comfortable than older widebodies. It’s not the best economy product on this route (that remains Singapore Airlines), but it’s warm, Australian and reliably enjoyable. Book it when the price is competitive, and wherever you sit, remember: you’re flying to Australia. It’s worth every hour.
For more Australia travel inspiration, read our guides to how long to spend in gold coast, Perth in one day, gold coast vs Cairns, the best time to visit gold coast, things to do in Tasmania, and things to do in Perth.
