Qantas Group ushered in a new era of comfort and sustainability for Tasmanian travel with the first-ever landing of its next-generation Airbus A220 aircraft in Hobart.
The new narrowbody jet touched down at Hobart Airport for the first time today. This marked the beginning of an upgraded travel experience for both tourists and locals.
The inaugural A220 flight arrived from Melbourne at 11:20 am, coinciding with the exciting announcement of a brand new Qantas Club planned for Hobart Airport.
This investment further underscores Qantas’ commitment to enhancing the overall travel experience in Tasmania.
Qantaslink A220 ‘Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa’
The christened aircraft, “Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa,” features artwork by renowned Pitjantjatjara artist Maringka Baker.
The artwork depicts a powerful Dreaming story, symbolizing journeys across vast distances. This beautifully decorated A220 signifies the start of QantasLink’s fleet modernization program.
This will see the phasing out the older Boeing 717s with these advanced A220s. Passengers on the Melbourne-Hobart route can expect up to 26 A220 flights per week. The A220 service will extend to Melbourne-Launceston starting November 12th, 2024.
Beyond its symbolic significance, the A220 boasts a significant leap forward in passenger comfort and environmental friendliness.
The cabin features an ultra-modern design with large windows, ample overhead locker space, and a noticeably brighter and airier feel.
Passengers can enjoy complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, specially designed seats for enhanced comfort, and a greater sense of personal space throughout the flight.
New Hobart Qantas Club Lounge
Qantas, along with Jetstar, has also solidified a long-term agreement with Hobart Airport for a brand-new Qantas Club lounge.
Scheduled to open in 2027, this new facility will nearly double the current capacity and showcase the best of Tasmanian produce, offering a truly local pre-flight experience.
“We’re thrilled to introduce the A220 to Tasmania and the feedback we’ve received so far has been outstanding,” shared Andrew Parker, Qantas Group Executive, speaking from Hobart Airport.
“Tasmania is a leader in eco-tourism, making it the perfect environment for our A220s. These aircraft not only elevate passenger comfort but also generate 25% less emissions per seat and a remarkable 50% noise reduction compared to their predecessors.”
Mr. Parker continued, “The A220’s size and efficiency perfectly suit many Tasmanian routes, and this is just the beginning.”
“As we receive more aircraft in the coming months and years, we’ll be progressively adding A220 services. Our collaboration with Hobart Airport on the new Qantas Club reflects our dedication to providing a top-tier travel experience for all our customers.”
“Once completed, this expanded lounge will offer nearly double the space and a wider selection of Tasmanian delicacies.”
Qantas A220 Features
Key features passengers can look forward to on the Qantaslink A220:
- Seating capacity for 137 passengers in two cabins: 10 Business Class seats in a comfortable 2-2 configuration and 127 Economy Class seats in a spacious 2-3 layout.
- Unparalleled window size for a single-aisle aircraft, creating a bright and airy cabin environment.
- Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi to stay connected and access the improved Qantas Entertainment App for onboard streaming.
- Integrated personal device holders with USB A and C charging ports in both cabins, with an additional wireless charging pad in Business Class.
- Enhanced comfort in Economy Class with seats featuring extra padding compared to the 717.
- A significant 20% increase in overhead locker space for all passengers.
- A dramatic reduction in noise footprint (up to 50%) and carbon emissions (25% per seat) compared to the replaced aircraft.
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