Qantas To End Boeing 717 Flights

Qantas’ regional division of QantasLink is preparing to farewell an iconic single-aisle jet in the coming weeks in the form of the Boeing 717.

The carrier has been transitioning for some time now to the more modern and efficient Airbus A220. This aircraft has been ordered explicitly to replace the existing 717 fleet.

That replacement effort will become a reality as the airline prepares to retire the 717, with the last flight scheduled for October 26.

The retirement marks the end of an iconic era that has flown the flag for Australia for a considerable period now. However, Qantas is advancing group-wide, and greater emphasis is being placed on efficient flying.

As a result, aircraft such as the 717, no matter how iconic, are no longer considered necessary, with more optimal replacements entering the equation.

Qantas Sees The A220 As The Future

The Airbus A220 is everything Qantas has viewed as necessary for its regional division, with the capabilities of this aircraft far exceeding what the 717 offered.

While the 717 has proved a little pocket rocket for some time and is ever reliable, continued technological advancements have meant that new endeavours far exceed their predecessors.

Qantas executives, when discussing the A220 purchase some time ago, stated how the jet offered new opportunities for connectivity. These opportunities would be thanks to the A220’s ability to fly between any two locations within Australia.

The A220, which is now being delivered more rapidly following the entry into service of another unit, will play an integral role within the company for decades to come.

So Many Improvements

Qantas configures its Airbus A220s into two classes with ten business class seats in a 2-2 configuration and the remainder of the airplane comprising 127 economy seats in a 2-3 configuration.

The Australian flag carrier has specifically chosen this configuration, which seats 137, to cater to the demand for its regional services for leisure travel and business travel. The addition of the ten business class seats is a testament to the product on offer to the carrier.

Furthermore, the A220 is home to the largest windows of any single-aisle aircraft, and the cabin has more space. A feeling that is a priority for manufacturers when building new aircraft.

That additional space in the cabin is highlighted by an overall increase of roughly 20% for overhead locker space, which makes it easier to bring carry-on items onto planes.

The aircraft, thanks to additional layers of padding, is equipped with what Qantas says is more comfortable seating than the 717. Moreover, the aircraft has free and fast Wi-Fi to ensure passengers can stay connected.

The improvements are to be expected. However, the 717 has served Qantas well for some time and will be sorely missed by many aviation enthusiasts.

Meanwhile, from an efficiency standpoint, the A220 is a leader in its class. Qantas says the noise footprint will be reduced by some 50%, and carbon emissions will also be reduced by 25% per seat compared to the outgoing 717.