QantasLink 717s scheduled on MEL-SYD

[Mattg]

Qantas' Sydney-Melbourne route is normally the domain of Boeing 737s and Airbus A330s. But I happened to notice that there are now 717s scheduled on occasional weekend flights on this route. I think it's the first time I've seen this?

Screenshots below are for Saturday & Sunday flights scheduled for next year.

 

[larrymull]

I have seen and booked this similar circumstance too, however they have changed both my bookings now from my booked 717 to a 737. May be an operational/scheduling situation.

 

[Harrison_133]

Screenshots below are for Saturday & Sunday flights scheduled for next year.

They scheduled quite a lot of 717s between Melbourne and Sydney earlier in the year too (weekdays included), but they were cancelled more often than they operated. Some days would have up to 3 717 services scheduled each way.

I have seen and booked this similar circumstance too, however they have changed both my bookings now from my booked 717 to a 737. May be an operational/scheduling situation.

This happened to me too. I was supposed to be on a 717 SYD-MEL in April but that was cancelled 24 hours out and I ended up on a 737. Bit of a shame, I have a soft spot for the 717s. If I recall correctly, none of the 717s that were scheduled on SYD-MEL that night actually operated.

 

[larrymull]

717's do feel a lot cozier and more fun to ride in then the boring 737's, espcially if you get the 2 seat side.

 

[jrfsp]

The QLink flights are the first to get cut on SYD-MEL

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I’ve seen several 717s scheduled MEL-SYD in June/July, even booked me mate on one for the experience, but it was cancelled

 

[Mattg]

I have seen and booked this similar circumstance too, however they have changed both my bookings now from my booked 717 to a 737. May be an operational/scheduling situation.

They scheduled quite a lot of 717s between Melbourne and Sydney earlier in the year too (weekdays included), but they were cancelled more often than they operated. Some days would have up to 3 717 services scheduled each way.

This happened to me too. I was supposed to be on a 717 SYD-MEL in April but that was cancelled 24 hours out and I ended up on a 737. Bit of a shame, I have a soft spot for the 717s. If I recall correctly, none of the 717s that were scheduled on SYD-MEL that night actually operated.

The QLink flights are the first to get cut on SYD-MEL

I’ve seen several 717s scheduled MEL-SYD in June/July, even booked me mate on one for the experience, but it was cancelled

So, has anyone actually flown on a 717 between Sydney and Melbourne?

 

[dylarr]

717's have been "scheduled" on the triangle even way before COVID particularly during weekends.

I say "scheduled" because operated is a different matter, as highlighted by the above posters.

 

[encryptededdy]

Would be interested to fly one of these. I remember taking an AirNZ ATR72 from WLG to AKL last year, which was somewhat novel.

 

[Flying Fox]

Whilst I understand your surprise.... what's with 101,000 and 129,000 points for these flights???

Is this normal? What have I missed?

 

[oz_mark]

Whilst I understand your surprise.... what's with 101,000 and 129,000 points for these flights???

Is this normal? What have I missed?

Points+Pay is like that, especially with cash fares the way they are at the moment

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

I’ve done a few 717s between SYD and MEL when the route opened back up. These were usually the 4.45pm and my 5pm was cancelled. I tried to avoid them as delays were usually guaranteed on them but that was back when everything was delayed.

I found them great as crew gave out water and nuts as PDB and crew were usually good hanging jackets etc well before mainline. Only downside was no wifi.

 

[oz_mark]

Remember when MEL-SYD was a Q400 via CBR (during the heady days of 2020!)

 

[SJF211]

Flew one back in April when the 0715 SYD-MEL was cancelled. Got pushed to the 717 leaving at 0720 . Except for no wifi nothing really different to any other service.

 

[RichardMEL]

Whilst I understand your surprise.... what's with 101,000 and 129,000 points for these flights???

Is this normal? What have I missed?

you need to select "Classic Rewards" not just "use Points" - different things.

 

[RichardMEL]

Would be interested to fly one of these. I remember taking an AirNZ ATR72 from WLG to AKL last year, which was somewhat novel.

717's are fun. I call them pocket rockets. Yes, showing age now, and reliability is an issue (hence the many cxls and A220 order) but when they go.. they go great. I always prefered 717's to/from OOL too.

The bonus also is the crews tend to be younger, and thus less jaded and usually do a very good job with what they have - specially in J.

IMO.

(and yes I've seen them scheduled.. and cancelled.. on MEL-SYD v.v. for quite some time now).