Qantas Begins A220 Flights To Tasmania

QantasLink, the regional airline within Qantas Group has begun Airbus A220 operations to Hobart in Tasmania from Melborurne.

Flight QF1291 arrived from Melbourne on July 1, 2024, marking the new financial year as the deployment of the new aircraft continues to align with future deliveries.

Furthermore, this is the first time the newly delivered regional aircraft has visited Tasmania. However, it won’t be the last. QantasLink has a strong presence across Tasmania and plans to deploy the A220 between Melbourne and Launceston from mid-November.

Moving To The Airbus A220

The arrival of the Airbus A220s is widely considered the beginning of a major fleet overhaul within Qantas Group.

These Airbus A220s will replace the ageing but ever-reliable Boeing 717 t-tail jets. The A220 is capable of serving any market in Australia, and thanks to its enhanced capabilities, it has become a favourable option.

Qantas is truly betting on the enhanced capabilities to boost capacity across more regional flying and launch new routes previously impossible across its QantasLink network.

For example, the A220 offers Qantas 25% fewer carbon emissions while also being quieter to fly on, and the flag carrier says it is far more comfortable. The adoption of this aircraft should enhance overall efficiency and customer satisfaction levels.

The Airbus A220 entered service with QantasLink at the beginning of March following crew training missions conducted between Melbourne and Canberra for a short period.

The Boeing 717, which the A220 is replacing, remains in the QantasLink fleet. However, the numbers for this Boeing single-aisle are declining as it integrates the next-generation, much more fuel-efficient type.

Inside The Qantas A220

Qantas says that the Airbus A220s can seat 137 passengers. However, most notably, the aircraft has adopted business class with 10 seats available. QantasLink passengers will now have greater choice when completing their travel.

Furthermore, the aircraft has a personal device holder, USB A and USB C charging across all cabins, and wireless charging at Business Class seats. Qantas has also implemented additional padding on its seats compared to the 717 to elevate comfort levels.

Additional space has increased aircraft storage by 20%. Ultimately, this aircraft represents a huge jump over previous generations and will help propel the regional network forward.