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QantasLink has officially ended its Boeing 717 era with a final commercial flight over the weekend.
Flight QF1511 from Sydney touched down in Canberra at 6:08pm on Saturday aboard the 20-year-old aircraft VH-YQS. QantasLink was one of the world’s last three commercial operators of the 717, which it has now phased out in favour of its new Airbus A220-300 fleet.
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QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan called the last 717 flight a “significant moment” in Australian aviation, saying the “iconic T-shaped tail” has “a long history in Qantas and Jetstar’s fleet”.
“From being the aircraft that launched Jetstar’s first-ever flights in 2004 to serving major cities, regional towns and the mining sector in the West as part of QantasLink for more than 20 years, we know our people and customers have loved flying on the 717,” Yangoyan said.
“As we farewell the Boeing 717 in Australia and the end of an era, we are excited about the future of QantasLink jet flying onboard the A220 aircraft. We’re already getting great feedback from customers and our crew about their experience.
“With almost double the range, lower emissions per seat and a more comfortable inflight experience, the A220s will allow us to deliver the next generation of flying for our customers and our people.”
The A220-300s have 25 per cent more seats (137 compared to 110 on the 717) and twice the range and 28 per cent lower fuel burn per seat. The first A220, VH-X4A, arrived in Australia in December.
Speaking to reporters last May, then-QantasLink CEO John Gissing described the retirement of the 20-strong 717 fleet as “bittersweet”.
“It’s an amazing aeroplane. It’s been the backbone of the regional operation for some time,” Gissing said.
“But today is about renewal, and the A220 is also an amazing aeroplane. Like the 717, it is a game changer for the regional jet operation.
“The range is twice the range of the 717. It’s new technology, super-quiet cabin, high-bypass geared turbofan engine, an amazing cabin amenity that customers are going to love. It will be able to connect markets that we can’t at the moment with that size of aircraft.”
QantasLink now has four A220s in service, with the fifth expected to arrive before the end of the year out of a total order of 29 aircraft.
The regional jet made its first commercial flight with QantasLink in March and is expected to begin international services next year, replacing the previously-earmarked Embraer E190 on services from Darwin to Singapore.
