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QantasLink’s new A220-300s have touched down on Tasmanian soil for the first time.
VH-X4A, Qantas’ first A220, arrived in Hobart at 11:19am on Monday as flight QF1291 from Melbourne. Qantas expects the A220s to operate up to 26 Melbourne–Hobart flights per week, as well as beginning Melbourne–Launceston services from 12 November.
Qantas Group executive Andrew Parker said customer feedback on the A220 fleet, which began arriving in Australia in December and flew commercially for QantasLink for the first time in March, has been “fantastic”.
“Tasmania is the home of eco-tourism and there’s no better place to operate our A220 aircraft, which generate 25 per cent fewer emissions per seat and 50 per cent less noise than the aircraft that they replace,” he said.
“Their size and economics make them a great fit for many of our Tasmanian routes and this is just the start. We’ll continue to add A220 services as we receive additional new aircraft in the coming months and years,” he said.
The first A220 flight to Hobart came as Qantas and Jetstar announced a deal with the airport for a new lounge, expected to open in 2027.
“We’re also working closely with Hobart Airport on the plans for a new Qantas Club lounge to upgrade the pre-flight travel experience for customers. Once complete, our customers will be able to enjoy almost double the space and a wider range of local produce,” Parker said.
The 137-seater A220s are gradually replacing QantasLink’s ageing Boeing 717 fleet, and offer a greater range and more fuel efficiency as well as cabin improvements including larger windows, more overhead locker space, and more comfortable economy seating compared to the 717.
The Flying Kangaroo currently operates two A220s with a third on the way. The first QantasLink A220, VH-X4A, which features a special Indigenous art-inspired livery, touched down in Sydney in December following its ferry flight from Canada, while VH-X4B arrived on Australian soil a month later.
Qantas has four more A220s scheduled for delivery by mid-2025, and will gradually roll out the next-generation planes on other routes as they arrive, including Melbourne–Coffs Harbour from October.
Rival Virgin Australia is also considering the A220 as one of two candidates to replace its regional Fokker 100s, alongside Embraer’s E190-E2.
