Onboard the LAST EVER QantasLink Boeing 717 flight.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Thanks for watching! Tell me about your most memorable flight onboard the Boeing 717.😀

[@jacobdixon9371]

@@PaulStewartAviation Probably island hopping from Maui to Oahu with Hawaiian back in 2013!

[@joshuatrick6240]

It was a late night flight with my girlfriend, now wife, on an AirTran flight. Shortly after Southwest bought out AirTran. I used my Southwest points for some AirTran first class seats. I was on a business trip to San Francisco and I brought her along with me. :) I'll never forget her resting her head on my shoulder as we took off.

[@gavinveness]

Thank you for a great video of this historic flight. Most memorable 717 flight was in September 2002 on EC-HNY of Aebal (Spanair Link) Madrid to Malaga. As I was working for Spanair at the time I was able to travel in the flight deck for the whole flight and enjoy the scenic approach. Have fond memories dispatching MDs.

[@davidcole333]

I flew the mini mad dog numerous times with Delta from my hometown of Baton Rouge, LA to Delta's hub in Atlanta. I always felt like it was a small plane with a big plane feel. The takeoff was always sporty and the engine noise was old school.

[@Joeblowe69]

Flying Mel - Syd - mainly because we were put on an earlier flight allowing more time in the J lounge before flying on to santiago

[@philyoung5893]

Fascinating to see so many QF staff on the apron watching the final flight of this 717, many of them filming it. No doubt there are quite a few AVgeeks amongst staff who feel that they are in their dream job.

[@CalvesPerformanceGarage]

No matter how many of them say "the novelty wears off", I can vouch that the "novelty" never fully wears off!

[@signature1990]

QANTAS...HORROR JOB...

[@robertalbertson889]

A sad day for the "Mad Dog" I've flown so many times on the DC9 and MD80 family in the US in past years! This planet has always been one of my all time favorite planes to fly in! Thank you for the great video send off!

[@DARJProductions]

Was lucky enough to tick the 717 off in May when I flew from MEL-CBR and back with the new A220 in one day. The take-off performance of the 717s were just phenomenal.

[@kiwiadventures3773]

As a pilot of the 717 the takeoff performance is average. In hot weather its not good at all esp at Alice Springs. 757s are like sports cars compared to this.

[@mgoblue0970]

Don't confuse pitch angle with performance.

[@ZainabAlHassnawy]

I was able to tick it off of planes I’ve spotted in august before it’s retired 🫡

[@robertgarland9342]

Thank you so much for this video Paul. The 717 will be sadly missed. I'm not a frequent flyer and probably fly once every 10 years. I booked a flight home in early 2018 and deliberately made sure the aircraft was a 717. Even the ticket said it was a 717 being used so imagine my disappointment when a 737 turned up at the gate. My Favorite of the 717 fleet was VH-NXL. She was one of the first to retire and retired 12 months ago. I lost track of her after she landed in the desert at Victorville.

[@jaykaye8666]

The Boeing 717 holds a very special part in my heart. My dad first began his career as an airline pilot in the early 2000's flying the Boeing 717 for Impulse Airlines. Shortly after he joined the company, Impulse were purchased by the Qantas Group and eventually became Jetstar, where Dad continued flying the 717 before eventually transitioning to the A320 family. Similarly, I also began my career in aviation as cabin crew onboard these same 717 aircraft that my Dad flew years prior. Throughout my short time operating on these aircraft I met so many interesting people and made so many great memories with my fellow crew members. The Boeing 717 was a fantastic plane and whilst I am really sad to see it go, I am glad I got to have played a small part in its story with QantasLink. Farewell 717, thank you for the fond memories and the safe travels around Australia!

[@ccroy2001]

This video just came up in my YT feed. Once you explained the McDonell Douglas connection it made sense. I grew up in Long Beach, California and there was a huge plant there. They made DC9, DC10, MD80, etc. Right next to the airport. A main road ran between the plant and the airport. There was a special set of traffic lights about 100 yards or so apart. When they went on all traffic was stopped for 10 minutes and a brand new, completed airliner would taxi from the plant to the airport, then at some point off to wherever the buyer was. I was neat b/c planes were painted for airlines we didn't have in America since they were sold all over the world. Thanks for the memories.

[@Syd_plane_and_train_spotter777]

Farewell QantasLink 717, you will always be remembered. Even though I have never been on one, it will still be a great piece of Australian Aviation.

[@ArtwholeVideo]

Hey Paul, loved the video of the last flight of the 717. As an engineer working on the 717 in Canberra I feel you did the aircraft proud. I will miss the (as the Americans say) ‘Seven - Seventeen.’ The evening you rode her into Canberra I was scheduled to carry out the final Terminal and Daily checks on that aircraft but got held up working on an A220. The 717 was a great jet to fly on and to maintain as an engineer. Bye bye little seven one seven.

[@marcusdamberger]

What an excellent video of this farewell flight Paul! Well done, captured the moment for those that's couldn't ride along. Nice to see QantasLink celebrating what an amazing aircraft it is. Flew the 717 and many MD-88's and 95's with American and Delta.

[@hanefar11]

I had completely forgotten this plane. But the seat with the huge engines in the back instantly woke memories. Turns out when I asked my dad, the MD was the first plane I ever flew from Oslo to Kristiansand.

[@nosy_123]

So sad to see the end of such a great plane in Australia. I was lucky enough to spend some time in the QantasLink hanger in Canberra a few weeks ago where they were retiring the 717s. Glad I could say bye to them up close!

[@janetbruce2430]

Great to hear the spooling up of the engines on this last Boeing 717 - 200 Qantas flight. Very nostalgic and sad for many - but great memories. Thanks Paul again for great filming and commentary.

[@hbaviation2008]

Certainly a sad moment in the history of Australia aviation, but incredible to know that Qantas was one of the last airlines to fly this incredible aircraft. Thanks for producing yet another amazing video and I can't wait for the next one!

[@nolunchiseverfree]

Thanks for all the thought and care you put into your final flight vids, Paul.

[@mallorieryan9573]

You did a brilliant job of documenting the last 717 flight out of Sydney. Thank you!

[@68404]

With apologies to Don Walker: "The last seven seventeen out of Sydney now has gone.."

[@BaileyStephens_2002]

Happy trails, Qantas 717. Everyone had memory of traveling on the 717 plane for nearly 20 years.

[@v1__rotate]

She's a good bird. I got to fly it for a year here at Delta, and although I'm very happy to be flying the 757/767, the 717 will always have a special place in my heart, and I do miss it

[@philip4193]

God, I'm gonna miss these little 717's! Have done the Sydney to Hobart run & back on these countless times, and really enjoyed my time on them. Like Paul, I am a bit of an avgeek and always chose a window seat at the rear where possible to enjoy the sweet music of those BR715's.

[@MrDERees]

Thanks

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Thanks!

[@avgjoeavglife]

Truly a workhorse for Qantas, will be greatly missed.

[@bendybus5165]

I grew up in the far reaches of the Northern Territory, and for most of my childhood the only way into and out of town at certain times of the year was on a Qantaslink 717. You couldn't miss them every morning and afternoon when they came and went on their way between Darwin and Cairns. This aircraft was the cornerstone of my childhood and I am thrilled I got to fly on them many, many times. A genuinely sad day for Australian Aviation, there will never be another aircraft like the 717.

[@melglobus]

Ah yes… I used to live in Nhulunbuy in the 2000s too… fond memories of flying this one to Darwin

[@Ryanhothersall]

I seem to remember hearing stories about the 717s in the Northern Territory summer not being able to take off fully loaded?.

[@bendybus5165]

@@Ryanhothersall The runway in Nhulunbuy isn't very long, some 2200m. The 717 supposedly needs 1905m for takeoff. Probably one of the reasons they only ran the 717 in the mornings and evenings, when it wasn't as hot. Since the chance of thunderstorms is always pretty high during the wet season (they usually pack a punch too), they probably limited the amount of passengers to carry even more reserve fuel at certain times of the year.

[@MrMorts92]

I was lucky enough to fly on the fabulous 717 from Paraburdoo to Perth and return in Western Australia, over the past 15 years. it was really an amazing aircraft to fly on and has served Qantas for many years. You've done a great job displaying its glory.

[@gatewayz75]

Thanks Paul, great video and what a treat to get the opportunity to enjoy the last flight. I loved the 717 and flew on one of the first when Jetstar started. 👍

[@grooveyman]

A special aircraft for many. Having lived in regional cities, I have had the privilege of many flights in the 717. It's awesome that you were able to book on the last flight ever and share with us. Thanks, Mr Stewart.

[@AbsolutelyEverybody1]

I flew on the 717 many times doing the PER-ASP-PER flight and also KTA-PER / PHE-PER. Great aircraft...will be missed. Great video as always mate, well done.

[@tw25rw]

The DC-9 was one of the great planes. We were lucky to have this line flying so long in Australia.

[@OscarJohnson-sx9gh]

I was on the right side to the yellow bin at Shep's Mound, A bit unfortunate the sun was in the way but I'm really glad I still got to see it!

[@jamesroseby3823]

I saw this aircraft on finals to Sydney last Sunday (Oct 20th, 2024) and thought it special to see, but I didn’t realise how special. Very sad we’re not going to see the shape in our skies again. Thanks for making the video. 👍 Subscribed.

[@windanthonystream]

I flew the 717 for 8 years with AirTran…. It has a very special place in my heart. It was also the first jet I had ever operated coming from a Embraer Brasília 120… Now I’m stuck on the 737’s with Southwest after they bought AirTran.

[@Cali-707-ica]

Got to fly a Delta 717 in August from Atlanta to Mobile Alabama in the USA.

[@Cl4rendon]

Thank you so much for doing this. From all the DC-9 derivates, this is my absolute favorite type - Such a sexy plane and beauty of engineering. That breathtaking climb performance and all - Sad to see it go.

[@rodneysipthorp7063]

Great video. Loved flying these Melbourne to Hobart and sitting right down the back with the engine whirl in my ear. End of an era, for sure. Been flying on DC9's since I was a kid. Bloody shame to see these go!

[@306champion]

Thank you Paul for educating me. I grew up knowing the 727, 707 and the 747 (none of which I have traveled on). But I had never heard of the 717. Thanks again mate.

[@kalde85]

The 'Mad Dog' were one of the workhorses of aviation in Colombia during the 80's and 90's. I flew several times on them (Md-83 Avianca / AeroRepublica) And they are an absolute joy!

[@andrewcole58]

It was a pleasure to meet you in Canberra Paul. You got this video turned around quickly! I spied myself in it 3 times... Thanks for doing such a great job documenting this.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers mate. Yes I finished editing and processing at 0130 this morning so I’ll sleep well tonight 🥱😂

[@markgordon2260]

I always remember them as the DC-9, form first flying on them in the early 1970s. Lovely, quiet aircraft.

[@ThePlaceboEffect_1]

The design aged quite well and your particular aircraft looked like it was well maintained. I remember frequently taking 717s for the SYD-DPO/DPO-SYD journeys back when I was a FIFO Pharmacist working in Tasmanian hospitals.

[@aaprods]

Worthwhile noting that while Qantas owned/leased the 717s, while in Qantaslink colours, the 717s were operated and maintained solely by National Jet Systems pilots, cabin crew and engineers. Only in 2020 did Qantas "buy" the NJS operation to make it a wholly-owned subsidiary. NJS also operated the BAe146 for Qantas before the 717.

[@staralliancefan1245]

Sad to see the old workhorse retired but that's progress. The A220s are very nice!

[@johnlim5023]

Thanks Paul ! Didn’t get a chance to do this in person, so I’m glad that you took us along !

[@CocoaBeachLiving]

I like how the aircraft is recognized for its service, very cool👍

[@UnusSedLeo-w5l]

Lovely vid of the MD-95, ehm, B.717-200. Quite a rare aircraft, bringing back nice memories!

[@m.hstudioproductions6642]

No, you were right. The the 717 was first called the MD-95 when ValuJet was still around.

[@jamesdun729]

Great video! Never had the chance to fly on a QantasLink 717 but did get to fly on a Hawaiian one at least :) I also loved the parallel landing that you captured in the background as your plane tookoff; almost looked like a race there for a little bit!

[@annagilda1]

I'll miss taking a ride on the 717 in and out of Launceston. It's been quite the workhorse. Went on my last 717 2 weeks ago. Was on a dash 8 this afternoon. Theyre good fun.

[@sa8569]

great video Paul, it was wonderful to meet you yesterday. flying on the 717 is a truly fun experience. while i was taxiing in after landing from Launceston, we also stopped by Shep’s Mound which i thought was very special :)

[@l3v1ckUK]

I remember flying on SAS DC-9s when I was young. I was always amazed by the climb rate. The height they reached in the time it took to take off from Fornebu, do a 180° turn, and head back past the airport was phenomenal.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Great video Paul … and certainly a bittersweet occasion, as you say. My most memorable 717 flight was island hopping with Hawaiian Airlines and landing on a runway atop a lava flow (Kona).

[@ianphilippson9889]

Love the sound of the engines spooling up

[@robertcoleman4861]

It's the end of a era for the Mcdonnell Douglas dc9 thanks Paul.😥

[@markvolpe2305]

Delta and Hawaiian are still flying them for the time being.

[@haoranlau8104]

There is a fun fact that China's ARJ21 is based on the DC-9 and is powered by the CF34 turbofans. The manufacturer that was in charge of building the MD-90 in China also purchased the blueprint in the 1990s.

[@robertcoleman4861]

@@markvolpe2305 Truly a great aircraft to fly on.🦘🍺

[@aaap3807]

Awesome video Paul!! I can spot me there at Shep's mound. Was awesome to see this beautiful aircraft take it's final commercial flight. 🙌

[@nankervisj]

It was great to see you again yesterday mate and experience such an incredible flight with everyone!

[@enigmaticmeloncholy]

Great video, thanks again for documenting the last B717 flight for Qantas

[@phil4977]

I have had a lot of flights in the 717 from Melbourne to Hobart over a 7 year period. Very nice aircraft.

[@MMMMMMMMMMMMM747]

ByeBye 717, Your most iconic moments include looking like Puff Pizza Crust and being both a flying Red & Yellow car for Jetstar

[@TheHobartAviationFan]

Excellent video!

[@TheCpage66]

As always, great stuff Paul!

[@melbourneplanespotter3631]

Great to see you back in the skies!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

It was nice to do a flight review again 😀

[@chaslane7517]

The B717 is such a beautiful design. As it flys overhead it is like a silver dart, always takes my breath away. Haven’t seen them much in Perth over the past few years. The F100 is similar but not quite so elegant.

[@TheFlightSimHub]

Fantastic video mate, very jealous! I loved the crews speeches, nice to see how much they will miss the aircraft. Also, what a sound those engines make :D

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Dang man… gunna miss the 717s… a few left in the US at least for now 🤷‍♂️ great video man!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Cheers mate! Yes I’ll have to head state-side to get on one again. Although I’ll be prioritising the 757 next time as I’m yet to get on one of those.

[@tonydivito3489]

I flew from Alice Springs-Uluru-Cairns on a Qantas Link 717. What I found interesting was the flight crew worked as gate agents at Uluru.

[@philcleaver2703]

Thanks Paul from WA hope all is going as planned for you in your "day job" as a an old DC9 lad loves the 717 and has given sterling service in oz. There are still a couple of Fokkers about for your next rear engine fix. But be quick the jungle jets are lurking in the weeds :)

[@linhofmann4913]

One landed in Perth today , QF 717 out of retirement and doing some runs within WA for the time being. It's the Discover Tasmania one. Great for us in WA, we haven't seen a 717 here for a few years now.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yes that was a pleasant surprise. I hear there might be issues with some of the Fokker 100s?

[@linhofmann4913]

@@PaulStewartAviation yes you are correct , we have a few ' fokked' Fokkers :)

[@jamiewalker6936]

Lucky enough to be on this final flight myself - thank you Paul for Including footage with me in it. Also btw i made my connection to Brisbane that night as well

[@PaulStewartAviation]

wow how? I didn't think you had a chance? Glad to hear you got home, though!

[@jamiewalker6936]

@@PaulStewartAviation they were delayed about 15-20mins due to having to get the afp out. they found a "white Powder" on one of the seats on the inbound

[@cwp134]

Great video mate, sad to see these things go but I was lucky enough to be a part of the ground crew receiving the final flight

[@RyanZ225_PC]

It was nice meeting you on the flight (and the flight back to Melbourne) Paul! YQW was originally going to do the service for QF1511 but it had a compressor stall on it’s way out of CBR on that morning, so YQS came to the rescue. You could see poor YQW stored in the hangar at SYD yesterday.

[@brendonmurphy9761]

Was very fortunate to get one of the last 717 flights from MEL to HBA earlier this month. Was a great flight, performance as mentioned is fantastic. Had the A220 on the way back, and although a nice aircraft with WiFi, it just didn't have the same feel. Much more Vanilla.

[@phensriwood2093]

Those engines look the business. Old JT8D mechanic here.

[@lachlanmcmahon6070]

I was lucky enough to fly on it twice in one day MEL-CBR CBR-MEL back in june and the sound is like nothing else definitely going to miss the 717s

[@MrDERees]

About the best avgeek channel yet everything about it is great from the topic, history and production is first class

[@MrSleepy71]

Not the last - as off 26/11/24, Qantaslink B717-200 VH-YQW still operates a Flight ex Perth. It ops QF1264 / 1265 Perth to Paraburdoo. This is the only flight it does each day. 0630 Departure ex Perth and 9.30 Ex Paraburdoo

[@jamestamu83]

Used to love the DC-9 and 727 because if you flew near the front is was so quiet! Conversely, you didn't want to sit in the far back of the plane.

[@RegHolden]

Awesome - Thank you.

[@JBAviation]

Great Video Paul! I had the pleasure of flying this same 717 (YQS) from Melbourne to Launceston with my dad and a few friends just over a month ago we thought we better get in before there all retired! Not much can beat the beautiful sound of those Rolls Royce engines! And the steep climb out just adds to the fun even more! Will be sad to no longer see them😥

[@AndyGraceMedia]

How does one know one's getting old? Remembering travelling on multiple TAA DC9s as a member of the Junior Flyers Club, then on the MD80 in America, reporting on the Boeing/MD "merger" as a journalist and talking about the rebrand to B717, flying on the first Aussie one, and now watching you bid the type farewell from our skies :)

[@nicolegardner7325]

Happy to see the 717-200 up in the pilbara this week, a huge upgrade from the usual fokker 100s. They don't make leg room like they used to!

[@Mikey_Perth]

This was heart warming!

[@Travelsbydreamer]

Wonderfully done mate, fantastic tribute to such a great aircraft. I’ve never got to fly on one with Qantas, such a shame!

[@staralliancefan1245]

ok I have to comment again about that spool up! Great stable footage Paul! I've tried to film takeoffs on my phone in the past and it's harder than it looks!

[@southeastaviation.]

Nice video mate. Sad to see the mad dog go but hopefully the A220 can deliver as such as the 717 did.

[@jeckyyeung5072]

such a wonderful video, thank you doctor!!

[@issacsmith3169]

Hey Paul. I was there at the airfield taking photos of it landing. Hope you had a good time on her and its going to be sad not seeing them around CBR anymore

[@well-blazeredman6187]

I like seeing airliners reach old-age. Good video.

[@jessamyperriam7490]

Was lucky enough to see the water cannon salute from the taxiway in CBR, was doing a city loop of Canberra and my friend just landed on runway 30 just after the B717 landed.

[@Yeiwbshjsks]

Might wanna change your title since qantas has put the 717 on a few more flights…check it out

[@WuLetaoAhs]

I´m so lucky I managed to fly on the 717 (vh-nxe) in early june(MEL-LST) its really memorable especially the sound of engine spooling up and its also my first flight on any plane built or designed by md

[@nidgemills1617]

Flew one of these from Newark to Orlando in 1991, it must have been the MD variant, smooth aircraft, thanks for sharing.

[@sintjagolwicianolwindomar6911]

Farewell Qantaslink B717 I'm miss you B717

[@johno9507]

0:60 In the mid 90s I worked in those Qantas hangers just opposite the Sydney domestic terminal and it completely spun me out the first time I saw a B717 taxi past with virtually no engine noise. I thought this was a absolutely travesty...I love aircraft noise! 😀🇦🇺

[@jacobdixon9371]

Such a sad yet wholesome video at the same time! It was cool to see a few familiar faces onboard! Most recognizable was Rory Ding!

[@dash8brj]

I actually came here from Rory's video of this same flight. Subscribed to both, it was fun to see him sitting in row 9 as Paul passed him.

[@peterstowell2976]

Hello Paul, I thoroughly enjoyed this very special flight thank you very much. My first flight in a B717 was between PER and BME about a decade ago. Since then I have had five more, three of which were this year! I was on the last QF B747 “ Farewell Flight” ✈️ as indeed so were you on 20th February 2020 from SYD to MEL. Thinking that would be my last 747 flight. Wrong, last year I flew from SIN to FRA; then on 3rd October this year did the reverse from FRA to SIN, both in LH B747-800s. Cheers from ‘Subber’ Puf’n-Pete.

[@Schlüsselbein]

I was lucky enough to get bumped from a dash 8 to the 717 a couple weeks back. Nice surprise to fly this great plane one more time. About the only in time I’ve been happy to have been delayed!

[@MoolsDogTwoOfficial]

Damn I remember flying the 717 when I was very young. Sad to see a beautiful plane being taken out of service.

[@AMP750]

As someone who lives in Canberra I am grateful the 717 is being retired; it was not a comfortable aircraft to fly on, particularly in economy. So I am very grateful that QF have moved to the new A220s.

[@NoahsSydneyTrainsVlogs-wh3je]

This video is so emotional remember forever 717😢

[@ulusguy]

My first flight, 6 weeks before I was born, was on a Delta DC-7 in November 1967 from TYS to CHA. Three days later my second flight was on a Delta DC9-10 CHA to TYS. Have had many DC-9, MD80 and 717 flights over the decades since then so it’s a little sad to see the last ones of that great lineage go. But the A220 is a great upgrade including the cabin with the larger and higher placed windows.

[@sjazzp]

Wonderful video Paul, such a complete and classy homage to this fantastic workhorse. I grew up with tail mounted aircraft like 727’s, DC-9s, MD80s and later on 717. It’s sad to see them go. I flew in 717 many times across QLD, I preferred them to the 737 starting with the amazing take off and high climb rate that made you feel you were in a rocket. It’s disappointing that this kind of design is not made anymore. At least we still have Alliance’s Fokkers that are slowly replaced by E190. Cheers!

[@f-ut4bk]

I was lucky to see the pushback and take off from across the airport thanks to the Syd squad livestream

[@Techno-Universal]

Was lucky enough to fly on that aircraft from Darwin to Alice Springs during a holiday to the NT in April of 2018! I also had a window seat that was in a row towards the back back left where the fan blades were visible which I really enjoyed as you can really feel the power on takeoff like if you’re on a trill ride! :)