Qantas is moving into premium economy, announcing a new class on its domestic and short-haul flights that will offer passengers extra leg-room, priority boarding and priority access to overhead baggage space.

The airline’s new Economy Plus class – announced on Friday – will give passengers up to 40 per cent more legroom and be available for purchase beginning in February.

“This is an evolution of our economy offering and delivers more choice for our customers while recognising our most loyal frequent flyers with expanded benefits, in the areas we know they value the most,” group chief executive Vanessa Hudson said.

Economy Plus seats will be free for high-level frequent flyers. Pricing for other customers will be announced closer to the start date.

Qantas passengers will be able to stretch out, with a new premium economy class from February. Photo: Qantas

The new seats will be available on the Airbus A321XLR, A220 and Boeing 737 aircraft that Qantas flies domestically as well as New Zealand and Pacific Islands.

Qantas said it was also taking delivery of new A321XLR and A220 aircraft with extra-legroom seating already fitted. It will begin reconfiguration of its 737 aircraft in December.

It said the launch of Economy Plus seats came as it pushed ahead with its long-touted fleet renewal program, which includes 48 next generation A321XLR aircraft on order.

The first two A321XLR aircraft began flying on the domestic network in September. A third will arrive before the end of the year.

“We’re always looking for ways to enhance the onboard experience and maximise comfort for our customers,” Hudson said.

“We believe this new seating product will be popular with our corporate and leisure travellers when it launches next year.”

Also on Friday, Qantas offered a first glimpse of its first, specially configured plane that will fly Australians non-stop to London and New York in 2027.

The A350-1000ULR is on the Airbus assembly line in Toulouse, France with its fuselage sections, wings and landing gear now attached.

The aircraft will shortly be transferred to a new hangar so its engines and instruments can be installed for test flights in 2026.

Qantas has ordered a dozen of the planes for “Project Sunrise”, its plan to connect Australia’s east coast with London and New York via non-stop flights for the first time.

The 22-hour flights will cut up to four hours off total travel time compared to the current one-stop services.

Both announcements came ahead of Qantas’s annual meeting later in Brisbane on Friday.

“This is an aircraft that will change what’s possible when it comes to international point-to-point air travel,” Hudson was to tell shareholders, according to a copy of her speech lodged with the ASX.

“Our teams are incredibly excited for the arrival of the first aircraft late next year, a landmark moment for international aviation.”

There was also less positive news for the nation’s largest carrier.

Qantas said it expected its domestic revenue to grow by about 3 per cent in the first half, at the lower end of the guidance range it provided in August.

While demand for leisure travel remained strong, businesses outside the resource sector were flying less than it had expected, the company said.

Its forecast for international revenue remains unchanged at 2-3 per cent growth, and its Qantas Loyalty program’s growth remains strong and on track.

-with AAP