QantasLink’s two new Airbus A220 aircraft are taking off for their first commercial flights today, heralding a new era of domestic and regional travel for Australians and visitors.
As the latest additions to the Qantas fleet, the Airbus A220-300s mark another historic milestone for the 104-year-old Australian national carrier as it begins its ‘Project Winton’ fleet renewal program and the replacement of its twenty long-serving Boeing 717s.
Following a special preview flight to Ayers Rock last week attended by Karryon, the inaugural Melbourne to Canberra service, QF1266, departed this morning. The A220 will also commence operating select flights on the Melbourne-Brisbane route today.
With almost double the range of the 717s, the 127-seat A220 can fly between any two points in Australia and to several offshore destinations, creating future new route options for QantasLink.
The aircraft is significantly more fuel-efficient than previous-generation aircraft. Its ultra-modern light and bright cabin design with large windows and overhead lockers, specially designed seats, and a greater sense of space offers customers a more comfortable flight.
QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan said the A220 would change the way people travelled around the country.
“These next-generation aircraft are going to make a real difference for customers travelling across our network, so it’s great to see it launch commercial flights from today,” Ms Yangoyan said.
“The A220 is more comfortable, offering a greater sense of space and fast and free Wi-Fi for every customer.
“The aircraft are also quieter and generate up to 25 per cent fewer carbon emissions, which is critical as we work towards our net zero target.
“We know many of our customers have been waiting for the opportunity to travel on the new aircraft, just as our QantasLink teams have been looking forward to flying them.
“We saw a spike in bookings on these routes when we identified them as the first A220 flights last week. It was a great response from many customers who clearly wanted to be among the first to experience our new A220.”
The third A220 is currently in production at Airbus’s facility in Mirabel, Canada, and is due to be delivered in June, with another four A220s scheduled to be delivered by mid-2025.
As more aircraft are delivered, QantasLink says the A220 will be deployed across other existing routes, including Melbourne-Hobart in July, Melbourne-Coffs Harbour in October and Melbourne-Launceston in November.
In total, QantasLink will introduce 29 A220s, steadily replacing its long-serving fleet of Boeing 717s as part of the Qantas Group’s domestic fleet renewal program.
For Karryon founder Matt Leedham’s review of QantasLink’s Airbus A220-300, click here.