Dreading this long-haul flight, I had the best surprise

The airline: Qantas

• Route Sydney to London, flight QF1
• Frequency Daily
• Aircraft Airbus A380
• Class Premium economy
• Flight time 22 hours, 30 minutes. We take off 40 mins late but arrive on time in London.

Checking in

Just quietly, and as entitled as it sounds, I’m dreading my long-haul flight in premium economy. As a Brit based in Sydney, I travel home regularly, usually in business class. I don’t care that much about the food or wine or lounges but being able to sleep, arriving fresh not zombie-like at the other end, is a massive drawcard.

Check in is remarkably quiet and quick on a Thursday afternoon. Credit: Trudi Jenkins

With prices skyrocketing in recent years, however, I’m keen to see if premium economy is the just-right Goldilocks option – cheaper than paying for a flat bed but more comfortable than 22 restless hours in economy.

The airport is surprisingly quiet on a Thursday afternoon and I’m checked in and through security and passport control in 25 minutes. I’ve got two different neck-pillow options (one inflatable) in my carry-on bag but not much else to cushion the blow of not being up the front of the plane.

Baggage

A total of 40 kilograms in premium economy, with no single piece weighing more than 32 kilograms (higher total limits apply if you’re a Silver or above Qantas Frequent Flyer).

The loyalty scheme

Qantas is a member of the oneworld alliance that includes Cathay Pacific, Finnair and Qatar. Qantas frequent flyers will earn 31,000 Qantas points and 300 status credits in premium economy on this route (return).

The seat

Premium economy seats come with headphones, basic amenity kit, pillow and blanketCredit: Trudi Jenkins

I’m in 32D, an aisle seat, and immediately panic about how I’m going to sleep with no window to rest my head against. At least I’m towards the front of the middle section (row 2) of the 2-3-2 premium-economy zone, which is upstairs and quieter. We’re close enough to the bathrooms behind business but removed from the noise of the galley at the back.

The David Caon-designed seat feels comfy and well thought-out; it’s 22.8 inches (58 centimetre) wide with a 38 inch (96.5 centimetre) pitch – 6 inches (15 centimetre) more than the economy seats.

I spend the first (eight hour) leg of the flight watching movies and eating an early dinner. After a hot shower and peppermint tea in Singapore (as a current platinum member I can access the first-class Qantas lounge), I return to the same seat, and steel myself for what I’m sure will be an interminable 14 hours.

I turn down another three-course meal, take an antihistamine, and pop on the eye mask and ear plugs from the amenity kit. The provided pillow is in the small of my back, my feet are on the footrest; I recline the seat, tuck the wool blanket around my shoulders and rest my head on one of the headrest “wings”. It’s around 1am Sydney time.

What feels like moments later, I wake up, check the flight-path info and am stunned (and overjoyed) to discover I’ve slept for nine hours straight. My neck pillows are still in the overhead locker.

Entertainment + tech

The David Caon-designed seats are surprisingly comfortable with a generous entertainment screen.Credit: Trudi Jenkins

There’s a good selection of movies and box sets, though it does seem as though Netflix et al have brought an end to the excitement of catching up on recent-release films – there’s certainly not the broad choice of blockbusters there once was. There’s no Wi-Fi on the flight, something that feels like a pleasant (if enforced) break from emails and Slack messages, although I do use the USB port to keep my phone fully charged for arrival.

Service

The service is fairly perfunctory but efficient. Tray tables are cleared relatively quickly after a meal service. Once the lights are dimmed for sleep, the attendants seem to mostly disappear too. But I press the button once or twice to get a cup of tea, and it’s delivered promptly.

Food

A generous dinner on the first leg kept me going most of the 22-hour flight.Credit: Trudi Jenkins

This is another pleasant surprise. I’m not expecting much but the dinner service on the leg to Singapore is impressive. Braised lamb with polenta; Greek salad; freshly sliced bread; cheese and biscuits; carrot cake and a Lindt ball. Kungpao chicken or zucchini and chickpea ragout are the other mains available. The American next to me says Qantas food is “leaps and bounds” ahead of anything he’d get on a US carrier. In premium economy, there is also sparkling wine when you board, and a good selection of drinks.

Dinner keeps me full for the rest of the flight to London though a second dinner (or is it lunch, who knows?), and a range of snacks such as prawn pad Thai or pumpkin quiche, lamingtons, fruit and cookies are offered. The English breakfast two hours before arrival is underwhelming with flaccid sausages and flabby bacon (though the scrambled eggs are nicely soft, not rubbery). Maybe British Airways would do a better job of this.

Sustainability

Qantas has committed to net zero emissions by 2050 by “investing in more efficient aircraft and sustainable aviation fuel, minimising waste and single-use plastics, and investing in high-integrity carbon offset projects”.*

One more thing

Boarding at the gates in both Sydney and Singapore is a bit of a schemozzle – there are separate pathways for business and premium economy passengers but everyone just merges into one big queue.

The “lanes” at the boarding gate are pretty much ignored.Credit: Trudi Jenkins

The price

From about $5227 return, Sydney to London via Singapore. For comparison, a business-class flight is from about $11,400.**

Verdict

I’m a convert – despite loving a flat bed, it’s highly unlikely I’ll fork out for a business-class flight again. I don’t even miss the pyjamas.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

The writer flew as a guest of Qantas.

*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org

**Fares are based on those available for travel three to four months from the time of publication and subject to change.

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