Qantas will temporarily remove Premium Economy from its Sydney-Hong Kong flights next year.
All Qantas flights to Hong Kong between 29 March and 10 June 2019 are currently scheduled to be operated by Airbus A330s. These aircraft do not have a Premium Economy cabin. As a result, Qantas is not selling any seats in Premium Economy to Hong Kong between these dates.
I was searching SYD-HKG flights next year and I noticed from April the flights QF127/128 and QF 117/118 were both A330 flights. I rang the QF Call desk and they confirmed this was correct and not just a system glitch.
Obviously this will mean the 747 is being removed on this route – yet it will also mean the removal of Premium Economy. In my experience it was rarely full but that was one of the positive things about it.
Qantas operates two daily flights from Sydney to Hong Kong. The earlier of the two flights, QF127 and QF128, are typically operated by either Boeing 747 or Airbus A380 aircraft. These feature Economy, Premium Economy and Business class seating. (The A380 also features 14 First Class seats which are sold as Business.) The other daily service, QF117/118, is usually operated by an Airbus A330 featuring only Economy or Business Class.
The reason for the aircraft downgrade to an Airbus A330 is unclear, but it could be to allow for Qantas’ A380 cabin upgrades. It could also be due to Qantas retiring its Boeing 747 fleet.
Qantas flies Airbus A330s on most of its Asian routes. Singapore and Tokyo are the only other Qantas destinations in Asia where Premium Economy is available.
If you wish to fly to Hong Kong during April, May or June next year, Cathay Pacific Premium Economy is still available.
Join the discussion on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum: Qantas to scrap Premium Economy to HKG from April 2019 [only A330 scheduled]
