Will be on 747-400s, A380s

April 1 is the formal launch date for Qantas’ new premium economy class, giving long-haul travelers an option priced between economy and business class. The new cabins are being installed on the Australian carrier’s 747-400 fleet and will also be on its Airbus A380 super-jumbos when they are delivered. The first refitted 747 is already in service, operating between Sydney and London. Others will be introduced soon on flights between Sydney or Melbourne and London, Singapore, Bangkok, Johannesburg and Hong Kong. The new cabin has 32 seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration; the seats are 19.5 inches wide and they offer a nine-inch recline and 42-inch pitch. They come with an in-arm touch-screen video monitor and a multi-port jack. The cabin has a self-service bar and a special menu with premium wine service. The premium economy service also provides priority check-ion, a dedicated cabin crew, an extra hand baggage allowance and priority boarding and disembarkation, Qantas said.