QantasLink acquires 6 more A320s to based in PER due to surge in demand

[The Flying Schwartz]

The first Network Aviation/QantasLink Airbus A319 will be registered VH-8NP, and is coming from the USA after operating for Spirit.

VH-8NP QantasLink Airbus A319-100

Airbus A319-100 with registration VH-8NP (ex N503NK) airframe details and operator history including first flight and delivery dates, seat configurations, engines, fleet numbers and names

www.planespotters.net

I flew out of Honolulu yesterday and there was a small Airbus in Qantas Link livery sitting on the ramp, could this have been one of the new aircraft?

 

[Harrison_133]

I flew out of Honolulu yesterday and there was a small Airbus in Qantas Link livery sitting on the ramp, could this have been one of the new aircraft?

Yep, you would have seen the first one.

Delivery flight is Oakland-Honolulu-Majuro-Cairns.

 

[AIRwin]

A319 flights are also being loaded into the system. RPT destinations include Port Hedland, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Geraldton and Newman.

And BME:

Qantas Link 1Q24 A319 Operations — AeroRoutes

Published at 1000GMT 17JAN24 Qantas Link from late-January 2024 plans to launch Airbus A319 aircraft operation, operated by Network Aviation. The all-Economy Class 150-seater aircraft is scheduled to operate following routes. Perth – Broome eff 31JAN24 1-2 weekly (4 weekly from 16MAR24) Per

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[Berlin]

Sounds all a bit awful tbh. Luckily, I’m no FIFO and seems like others thankfully will run little risk to end up on an ex-Spirit aircraft

 

[jrfsp]

Sounds all a bit awful tbh. Luckily, I’m no FIFO and seems like others thankfully will run little risk to end up on an ex-Spirit aircraft

The same as the ex JQ A320s...pay through the nose for an LCC product.
Will be flown on by regular pax on RPT flight, not just FIFO contracts.

Its a shame as the F100s had fantastic legroom, best of any standard economy seat in the QF fleet to now the worst.

 

[jakeseven7]

Here is the new baby A319

 

[eastwest101]

The same as the ex JQ A320s...pay through the nose for an LCC product.
Will be flown on by regular pax on RPT flight, not just FIFO contracts.

Its a shame as the F100s had fantastic legroom, best of any standard economy seat in the QF fleet to now the worst.

Indeed - no one will ever complain about an F100 once they get a trip in that 150 seat configured A319.

 

[Saab34]

Having flown these Spirit A319s I can confirm the seats are the worst I’ve ever flown on. They are those slimline seats with a bare back, and they were non reclining also, not sure if QF put in the recline. They are pretty much the cheapest seat an airline can buy, even the tray table was some cheap little thing, the seat pocket was two bits of string. Was only a LAX-LAS flight thank god. Was a once and once only experience.

Allegiant have also installed these seats. However they added a few more strings to the seat pocket, how luxurious!

 

[RichardMEL]

Indeed - no one will ever complain about an F100 once they get a trip in that 150 seat configured A319.

They will call that a real Fokker I'm sure...

 

[RooFlyer]

It looks incredible [the outside, anyway]. Like to see the (often) big boofy FIFO workers fit into the Spirit seats

 

[Saab34]

I assume they can run with only 3 FA’s on these flights?

 

[Bundy Bear]

Pity they didn’t keep the bright yellow paint of Spirit so you know to avoid.
Also in 2001 Ansett fitted the A320 with 144 seats to match 1 FA for 36 passengers, 150 in an A319 just a bit squishy

 

[AIRwin]

The Spirit of Australia!

 

[Cessna 180]

Doubt it. The majority in the Pilbara are around 2km. Newer ones even longer.

The Fokker is way more comfortable than the 320.
This will be way worse.

Most of these flights are two hours jammed in the seat. Should be illegal.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Is the acquisition of ex-Spirit aircraft by Qantas a peek ahead of the enhancements to come? Checked bags? That’ll cost you? Rebooking when we cancel flights on you? That’s extra as your bundle of rights don’t contain it!

 

[TheInsider]

I assume they can run with only 3 FA’s on these flights?

Correct, 1:50 ratio.

 

[exceladdict]

GET and KGI will be short flights on a jet, which I'd prefer to a Saab; but agree the fokkers were okay. Wonder if other super short legs could even come into consideration (Albany?).

There's still a long list of fokkers coming up on 30 years old - how long will they all be in service?

 

[jakeseven7]

Night shot

 

[moa999]

acquisition of ex-Spirit aircraft by Qantas a peek ahead of the enhancements to come?

It's an aircraft.
Would you think the opposite if they bought an ex-Emirates aircraft.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

It's an aircraft.
Would you think the opposite if they bought an ex-Emirates aircraft.

What matters I suppose is whether they refurb the interior. As others have said, if they keep the cramped seating Spirit is known for, this will definitely be a negative compared to the Boeing 717s it is replacing. On the other hand, Qantas could take this as an opportunity to reimagine the cabin interior and could provide something that rivals or perhaps is even better than the present 737 offering (i.e. IFE screens at every seat).

It would have been neat though if they kept the yellow Spirit livery, since it does seem keeping in brand with the whole "Spirit of Australia" motto. In addition, that bright yellow livery would fit in well with all those FiFo workers wearing high vis.

Having flown these Spirit A319s I can confirm the seats are the worst I’ve ever flown on.

Have you tried flying Alleigant?