projects / qantas premium economy
Year: 2017
Client: Qantas Airways Limited
The Qantas Premium Economy seat, designed for deployment on the airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, is customised for ultra-long-haul travel. Developed in collaboration with Thompson Aerospace in the UK, this seat represents a ground-up design exclusively for Qantas.
The brief was to create a class-leading product suitable for passengers on extended journeys of up to 17 hours, at the time the longest route operated in the world.
Thompson Aerospace and Caon Design Office worked closely to develop a unique z-shaped recline position, allowing even the largest passengers to rest comfortably. The seat's articulation, combined with the relative position of the seat in front, ensures ample space for passengers to extend their bodies.
Additionally, a unique ratcheting leg-rest was designed to function as both a foot-stool and a hammock for the lower limbs. Aesthetically, the seat features a wing-back design to maximise shoulder width, provide a sense of privacy, and accommodate mood and reading lights. The studio also developed bespoke plastics, leathers, and fabrics exclusively for this seat.
To date, two versions of the seat have been manufactured and are currently flying on Qantas’ 787 Dreamliners and A380 SuperJumbos.