QantasLink Airbus A220 Discussion

[henrus]

X4H delivered this week. Whoops missed your message below.

There was no messing around, it arrived into Canberra on the afternoon of the 27th then two days later started flights with the first the 29th.

 

[Kingo42]

VH-X4I is scheduled to commence its delivery flight on Sunday (Canadian Time), MSN is 55402

 

[bullerdude]

First fights on the a220 this week and overall it’s a nice modern plane. The regular economy seats are reasonable. Wifi is working well. Windows a quite good and not craning my neck to see out like on the non BSI 737 NGs.

Downside is on one of the flights headrest is already broken, I.e., wouldn’t hold in place. Being 6 ft, it did become quite annoying. How that’s not indicative of a broader design issues with the headrests.

 

[Virgin Bart]

First fights on the a220 this week and overall it’s a nice modern plane. The regular economy seats are reasonable. Wifi is working well. Windows a quite good and not craning my neck to see out like on the non BSI 737 NGs.

Downside is on one of the flights headrest is already broken, I.e., wouldn’t hold in place. Being 6 ft, it did become quite annoying. How that’s not indicative of a broader design issues with the headrests.

Funny you mention that. Flew J on the aircraft and couldn't believe how flimsy the head rest was. When bent it didn't hold its shape with the slightest of pressure from my head.

 

[Springyboy]

First fights on the a220 this week and overall it’s a nice modern plane. The regular economy seats are reasonable. Wifi is working well. Windows a quite good and not craning my neck to see out like on the non BSI 737 NGs.

Downside is on one of the flights headrest is already broken, I.e., wouldn’t hold in place. Being 6 ft, it did become quite annoying. How that’s not indicative of a broader design issues with the headrests.

Yep agreed when I flew CBR-MEL last year the headrest wouldn't stay in place either. It wouldn't lock in place, it just kept going up and down.

 

[DejaBrew]

Yep agreed when I flew CBR-MEL last year the headrest wouldn't stay in place either. It wouldn't lock in place, it just kept going up and down.

Never fear, they’re soon to be replaced with new ones sporting the “Economy +” logo. Well…. going by the promo shots, at least.

 

[moa999]

X4I due into CBR this afternoon on final leg from NAN.

And from airliners.net post two more due in December to take the fleet to 11.

VH-X4J is planned to arrive into CBR (from NAN) on 11DEC at 1430LT as flight number QF6078

VH-X4K is planned to arrive into CBR (from NAN) on 18DEC at 1430LT as flight number QF6078

 

[Groundfeeder]

Flew A220 4A BNE-MEL yesterday and seat comfort, cabin service, larger windows and quieter engines were appreciated.
What all fell apart was docking at THE most remote QF NE gate and deplaning by stairs! A camel would have been handy for the journey back to baggage retrieval.

 

[TheInsider]

What all fell apart was docking at THE most remote QF NE gate and deplaning by stairs! A camel would have been handy for the journey back to baggage retrieval.

MEL's nil aerobridge bays are literally next to the ones that have some, it's an extra 20m away

 

[Beano]

Flew A220 4A BNE-MEL yesterday and seat comfort, cabin service, larger windows and quieter engines were appreciated.
What all fell apart was docking at THE most remote QF NE gate and deplaning by stairs! A camel would have been handy for the journey back to baggage retrieval.

Long walks are not unusual at many airports when arriving international. Arriving MEL INT, it was long walk, down an escalator.stairs/lift, long walk, up escalator stairs lift, long walk, down escalator/stairs/lift, exit. In summary, down, up, down. And if you need to go DOM, up again.

 

[Saab34]

Any word yet on when these aircraft will hit BNE-CNS/TSV/MKY?
Alliance is always late these days it’s beyond a joke.

 

[moa999]

11th aircraft VH-X4K on its delivery flight, already completed first stage to YVR.

So that's 6 new 220s for calendar 2025.

 

[Melburnian1]

I've not done a comparison but have the A220s used on Oz's third busiest domestic route, MEL-BNE and return paved the way for a higher QFd frequency offering compared to a similar time of year when the route was exclusively the domain of B738s?

Being newer, they're more fuel efficient but for the same number of seats an operator has to schedule more trips. Are these A220s normally staffed with three flight attendants, meaning a saving in labour costs per flight as well as fewer kilograms in fuel consumption?

 

[clifford]

Being newer, they're more fuel efficient but for the same number of seats an operator has to schedule more trips. Are these A220s normally staffed with three flight attendants, meaning a saving in labour costs per flight as well as fewer kilograms in fuel consumption?

These are good questions. But from my experience, there's little in it for the average traveller, or, indeed, the business class traveller. So just cost saving. Given the choice I'll fly a 738 over a 223 anyday, in any class. And also the quality of the flight attendants.

 

[Saab34]

It’s operates by a subsidiary who pay much less.

I’m not sure they are replacing seats like for like either. I’d be interested to see on MEL-BNE if seats have slipped, but the could be getting a higher load factor. Virgin run a lot of -700s on the route also, definitely one that fluctuates a bit with demand throughout the week.

Do these A220s appear on MEL-SYD, BNE-SYD often? Is a few off peak periods throughout the week they could probably fit.

 

[Scarlett]

Newest jet arrived into CBR on the 18th.



The next morning taxiing past the hanger it looked like they were giving it the once over.

 

[Springyboy]

X4K is on its way too now

 

[Melburnian1]

Do these A220s appear on MEL-SYD, BNE-SYD often? Is a few off peak periods throughout the week they could probably fit.

From the sample of flights I've seen, ex MEL the A220s' favoured routes include to Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Launceston and IIRC occasionally to Adelaide,. They make an appearance on MEL-SYD on QF1289 (1930 hours ex SYD) as one example but as a percentage of operated flights on this #1 route, A220s' presence is minimal. They also operate MEL-CFS and MEL-ASP.

SYD-CFS/LST/MCY are some of their routes from Sydney. I couldn't see if they ever travel SYD-BNE.

Seat utilisation on the domestic airline duopoly was already quite high prior to the A220s' arrival.

 

[tomlee1986]

From the sample of flights I've seen, ex MEL the A220s' favoured routes include to Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Launceston and IIRC occasionally to Adelaide,. They make an appearance on MEL-SYD on QF1289 (1930 hours ex SYD) as one example but as a percentage of operated flights on this #1 route, A220s' presence is minimal. They also operate MEL-CFS and MEL-ASP.

SYD-CFS/LST/MCY are some of their routes from Sydney. I couldn't see if they ever travel SYD-BNE.

Seat utilisation on the domestic airline duopoly was already quite high prior to the A220s' arrival.

even MEL CBR is not a frequent flight - many are Dash 8 service - but I was lucky to score 1 on the way up to CBR mid December

 

[encryptededdy]

Just flew on the 1 week old VH-X4J. Love the massive windows and the new J seat, don't love the always delayed last A220 flight of the day.

Got a tour of the flight deck afterwards too which is always fun

Interesting to see they have HUDs, do we know if Qantas optioned them on the A321XLRs?