Despite having visited Australia in 2024, my experience flying as a passenger with Qantas Airways for the first time in years was earlier in 2025 for a domestic late afternoon flight of two hours and 20 minutes from Brisbane to Melbourne aboard a Boeing 737-800 airplane with winglets in the economy class cabin.
Flying As a Passenger With Qantas Airways For the First Time in Years — and The Verdict Is…
Qantas Airways is the official flag carrier of Australia. QANTAS is an acronym of Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Services, which is the original name of the airline, as it originally served Queensland and the Northern Territory. The airline was founded on Tuesday, November 16, 1920 — and you can read more details about the founding of Qantas Airways in this article.
After a harrowing 54 hours over four days of trying to get from Atlanta to Brisbane via Dallas-Fort Worth with a diversion to Honolulu due to the effects of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, I finally arrived at the gate at Brisbane Airport for the flight to Melbourne.
For reasons which are unknown to me to this day, I was not permitted to select a seat even though I purchased the ticket close to the last minute because of the aforementioned travel experience with American Airlines.
The amount of pitch between rows of seats in the economy class cabin — which is the distance between the back of your seat and the back of the seat in front of you — is 30 inches aboard the Boeing 737-800 aircraft; and the width of each seat is 17.2 inches, as disclosed at the official Internet web site of Qantas Airways. The head rests of the leather seats were separate and adjustable. I had no complaints about the leg room, as I did not feel restricted or confined in my seat, which was reasonably comfortable.
Inside the mesh seat pocket was a safety information card for the airplane; and a white bag for air sickness was also available. Each seat is equipped with an in-flight entertainment system with a 10 inch monitor, a Universal Serial Bus Type A power port, and entertainment on demand — which included movies, television programs, games, and even a moving flight map — as well as a tray table.
The overhead control unit was equipped with adjustable air vents. The activation of the reading lights required reaching up to the overhead control unit.
156 seats were in the economy class cabin aboard the Boeing 737-800 airplane. Ample room was available in the overhead storage bins.
A bag of baked pretzels, zesty rice wheels, roasted almonds, and soy crisps and puffs — as well as a choice of beverage — was distributed to passengers during he first service aboard the airplane during the flight. This was not your typical tiny bag of snacks, as is typical during flights within the United States. Consuming all of the contents took some time, as the serving was relatively generous. Aside from the almonds, I enjoyed this snack.
I did not see this one coming: later in the flight, members of the flight crew held large rectangular baskets filled with loose unwrapped fresh apples and gave them to passengers. I was prepared not to eat my apple, thinking that it is likely bruised, dirty, and flavorless. On the contrary: this apple was crisp, had very few imperfections, and was full of flavor. I enjoyed it. I was impressed.
Prior to landing, members of the flight crew came down the aisle one more time to give out wrapped Lindt Lindor raspberries and cream chocolates. I have never had that flavor before. It was a great unexpected treat. What a nice way to conclude a flight.
I had no need to visit the lavatory during the flight of two hours and 20 minutes; so I did not go there to take photographs.
Final Boarding Call
The last time I flew as a passenger with Qantas Airways was when I was seated in the business class cabin aboard a Boeing 747-400 aircraft between Los Angeles and Sydney. I was in the upper deck of that airplane on the outbound flight. That was an amazing experience that left me wondering how first class could have been any better — especially as only business class seats were on the upper deck. I truly felt like Qantas Airways was a premium airline.
This particular experience seemed to me like Qantas Airways served more snacks and beverages on a flight whose duration was two hours and 20 minutes versus what is served on domestic transcontinental flights within the United States.
The flight from Brisbane to Melbourne seated in the economy class cabin cost a total of $201.10 in Australian dollars or $127.52 in United States dollars.
Overall, the experience was quite pleasant — and welcomed after my very long and arduous journey from Atlanta. I recommend the economy class experience with Qantas Airways.
All photographs ©2025 by Brian Cohen.
