Qantas Ends Boeing 717 Era As More Airbus A220s Takeover

[@magnustan841]

I used to live 15 mins away from Seletar Airport in Singapore. These 717s were a frequent visitor to undergo maintenance for many years. I’ll certainly miss them even if i had never flown on one

[@matsv201]

I really think they are a sub par aircraft in modern time. the A220 is just so much better. Like in every way. The comfort in the A220 is leaps and bounds above the 717 that is really very cramped. And the sound level is lower, and the fuel economy is better, and the range is considerably longer. I guess the main advantage of the 717 is that its sits lower to the ground, making it better for airfields with no bridge.

[@probableflaws3597]

717 was such an underutilized plane from a passenger standpoint. Island hopping on Hawaiian in their 717’s always made the trips a joy. Fast, small, comfortable. You were always at the destination quickly and off the plane just as fast once you got there.

[@jantjarks7946]

The very reason why small long range planes are going to push the boundaries even further. It will be interesting to see how the aviation industry will change.

[@dewyakana1543]

We need a new "Aloha Air ", All Airbus A220. Maybe xlrs... NEVER trust a Boeing!

[@obroni]

Hawaiian will likely be the last airline operating the 717. It's very hard to compete with its fast turn-arounds, due to the smaller cabin size and engines, which are able to be cycled very quickly. Perfect for the island-hoppping that Hawaiian does all day.

[@74viation]

@@jantjarks7946you’re an AI. stop commenting this stuff because it’s not working.

[@jantjarks7946]

It seems another strange Boeing fanboy got triggered? They seem to pile up lately. Is there a nest?

[@theharper1]

One of my first domestic flights in a jet was a DC9 (probably Ansett) from Sydney to Canberra. The tail door meant that passengers could step straight onto the tarmac for the walk to the terminal without air-stairs or aero-bridges. Recently I've been on a number of flights on the 717 to Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney from Canberra. There's a 50 year span in between. The DC9 design, badged as the 717, has certainly had a long run. It was an enjoyable aircraft to fly on unless you were in the last row, where the seat couldn't recline and the view out the window was the engine cowling, with the noise generator right outside. Of course, the seats up front were nice and quiet. In the back of the 717, you could see where the tail door used to be, even though it was sealed off. I think it was the first Qantas domestic aircraft to have a WiFi cabin initially with ipads and later with BYO devices. My wife and I watched that last flight take off from Sydney live on SydSquad, but unfortunately we didn't get to the airport in time to see the landing in Canberra. We did see it's final approach, though. In Australia we also used to have the 727, another T-jet. Now there's just the Fokkers flying with Alliance. Once they are retired, it will be the end of a very long era of T-tail jets. I've enjoyed flying on the DC9 and 717, but looking forward to the A220, which I've yet to experience.

[@Andkep]

I flew often on the QantasLink 717. A truely great aircraft and will be sadly missed.

[@magical_catgirl]

The 717 was much better then the dash 8s. I hope my next flight isn't changed back to a dash 8 (was recently changed to a 737).

[@mattrodger7097]

Absolutely, the B717 was a great aircraft. I loved the power of the aircraft at takeoff. However, the A220 is an excellent aircraft and Qantas made the correct decision in purchasing the aircraft.

[@fatfox5030]

Fun Fact: a few days later they flew one 717 to Perth and it's once again being used on charter flights to the mines, so QantasLink still operates one 717.

[@lschmitt]

That last 717 should go side by side with the 747-400 in the museum.

[@ftxaviation]

Well, the last 2 are still sitting at Canberra currently. Who knows, maybe Qantas will do something good for once.

[@danphotographyau]

One B717, VH-YQW is coming over to Perth to assist with some of the F100 troubles here, so we will luckily get to say our goodbyes

[@David-xk6xq]

There’s still life in the old girl yet, refusing to leave the country for the last time 😊

[@Tina-d8f]

Handsome looking aircraft.

[@PaulMcElligott]

They’ll always be DC-9s or MD-90s to me.

[@richardshiggins704]

Was the B717 the original MD-95/97 ?

[@MotoRiderTube]

Yeap.

[@Dave_Sisson]

All of those are just updated versions of DC-9.

[@jblyon2]

Yes, it's an MD-95 built in a McDonnell Douglas factory, just with Boeing branding. It is supposedly the final form of the DC-9, however Comcac is using a large amount of MD-95 tooling from McDonnell Douglas' old factory in China to produce their jets.

[@jantjarks7946]

​@@jblyon2Curious if Boeing is going to design a similar sized plane in the future. It seems Embraer and Airbus are having quite a success with them, despite the difficulties Airbus is facing due to the takeover.

[@jblyon2]

@jantjarks7946 Oh I'm just counting the days until they announce the 737-MIN as a competitor...

[@WuLetaoAhs]

flown on vh-nxe in early June probably my first and last flight on a 717 (hope not)

[@Fisheater1011]

I flow on that exact plane from Paraburdoo to Perth on the 11/11/24

[@scpatl4now]

I flew on the 717 when AirTran flew them before SW bought them and sold the 717s to Delta

[@cliffhigson7581]

As i watch this at 1:30 am Tuesday 5th November vh-yqs is due to depart Canberra heading go Apia on it's way to the Victorville California boneyard. It's due to depart Canberra at 07:30 today as flight SXI2472.

[@thetruthbehindplanes]

😭we will miss you 717!qantas will soon regret retiring you!

[@mattrodger7097]

@@thetruthbehindplanesB717 was a great plane, but the A220 is a better plane. A friend recently flew on the A220 and he said it was a really nice plane.

[@grriceman782]

That’s what I was wondering … if Delta has interest in them?

[@cliffhigson7581]

Spare parts for delta reported in aviation media here in Australia.

[@grriceman782]

Makes good sense!

[@jblyon2]

@@cliffhigson7581 Spare parts makes perfect sense. Delta is supposedly retiring theirs by December 2025, so I doubt they'd be adding any more to their fleet at this point.

[@magical_catgirl]

There's now talk of VH-YQW (the last 717 built) being reactivated and sent to PER to help Network Aviation recover from Fokker 100 problems.

[@jantjarks7946]

Too bad Fokker went down under, they sure would have pushed the boundaries of regional planes a lot. However, similarly, Bombardier and Embraer are doing it. Even though Bombardier couldn't know that the USA went from demanding free trade above everything to full blown protectionism right away.

[@danphotographyau]

Correcy, YQW is coming to Perth til end of November if im correct

[@cabottaxi]

Imagine ferrying a 220 from the factory in Quebec or Alabama to Australia. Journey and a half.

[@cliffhigson7581]

Averages about 4 days if you follow the delivery flight on flight radar 24. Next delivery reportedly this month by vh-x4e (rego hasn't been activated yet on fr24)

[@jblyon2]

Do they have the capability for an extra fuel tank in the cabin for ferry flights? That's how they got the 717 over long distances for overhauls. I know the A220 can get up to 5 aux tanks from the factory, and Qantas' interest was key in getting the current range capabilities, but didn't see if it had the option for a similar temporary tank like the 717.

[@magical_catgirl]

They are being delivered on YMX-YVR-HNL-NAN-SYD

[@PeterFruits-hm8rc]

love the engines BR 700 on the 717 and Qantas shouldve tried the BR 700 on the older 737 - 4

[@thetruthisoutthereofficial]

Sorry to burst your bubble but it wasn’t the last 717 flight. It went to Paraburdoo YPBO for the last 2 weeks so you might wanna change the title

[@totalrecone]

Call it what she is - The DC 9

[@magical_catgirl]

My last 717 flight was QF1500 in mid Oct. Will miss them, better then the Q400s.

[@stumps_yt]

Good aircraft. But far too many issues with the plane delaying flights. Was once on final and had to return all the way back 1hr due to some mechanical issue.

[@mikestone9129]

Just another airline giving Boeing the middle finger. I think the A220 is a great choice for regional hauls while increasing the passenger capacity, which relates to higher revenue. Qantas seems to be everything right these days. I love the carrier and especially the crews.

[@thetruthbehindplanes]

ryanair:seriously? aerosucre:seriously? another random airline which operates boeing only:seriously seriously seriously seriously seriously seriously??????

[@magical_catgirl]

They got them because they can also fly transcon routes, which other aircraft of similar size can't. Boeing is currently not selling any aircraft model of the needed size to compete with the A220. Qantas couldn't have gotten a comparable Boeing aircraft because they don't exist. The options for 717 replacement were A220s or E190s.

[@mattrodger7097]

Absolutely and the A321 is replacing the older parts of the 737 fleet is another great decision by the airline. The first one should be starting service next year.

[@74viation]

qantas still proudly operating the boeing 787-9

[@planespottingwithabdullah]

​@@74viationexactly!

[@ianschiller9612]

Makes sense

[@liambengif7663]

Ill be honest when we consider the fact the a220 has been nothing but a hassle with the GTF engines, the almost 60 year old 717 airframe design (originally the DC-9) may be more reliable lol.

[@ericjones7769]

Hopefully Delta will take in these ex Qantas 717s it would make sense for Delta to do so 💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@somdattsable5540]

Don't be sad !! Copy of boeing 717 is still flying in China named as Arj-21

[@peterbridge9394]

Boeing replaced by Airbus is a 21st Century theme.

[@thetruthbehindplanes]

ummmm...............777x replacing a380?oh,but yes,the a380 is boeing and 777x is airbus!🤣

[@Plab1402]

​@@thetruthbehindplanes and when will the 777x be introduced? 2093?

[@thetruthbehindplanes]

@@Plab1402 actually,2026.......and when will zeroe be launched?2182?or 2207?or maybe even 2890?will the earth even be existing?or will it be covered by the wreckage of crashed airbuses???????

[@Plab1402]

@@thetruthbehindplanes the zeroe is a much less serious project, planned in the far future , like 2040, airbus never said that it be introduced in like 2024, unlike Boeing, that keeps pushing back the introduction date of the 777x, I bet 2026 will be pushed back again! Why hate on airbus or Boeing so much, way can't we just look at those two and admire the amazing planes they have built over the years?

[@thetruthbehindplanes]

@@Plab1402 'why hate on airbus or boeing 'werent you just hating boeing?why cant we just look at airbus and unadmire all their crashes?boeing tends to be pilot error...........and airbus themselves

[@marcman844]

Love flying the 717 on Delta; Boeing should have expanded it to be a worthy competitor to the A220.

[@obroni]

Alas, the 717 was based on a design from the early 1960s. MD and Boeing have already wrung all the possible improvements out of a 50+ year old airframe. The A220 uses 30+% less fuel, carries more people and has over twice the range of the 717.

[@jetflyer330]

Someone please answer this question. First off Qantas Link is the regional branch of Qantas Airlines. The 717 is uh, a mainliner, therefore it's not a regional plane. Why is Qantas Link doing that? I thought there was a rule that mainliners can't be used as regional planes? Can someone please answer my question I've always wondered this. Doesn't even make sense. Therefore Qantas 717 shouldn't say Link on it because it's a mainliner. Perfect example: Delta Airlines. They use the 717. Does it say Delta Connection? No. It's a mainliner. So why is Qantas Link doing that with their 717s.

[@mr.md-11klm4ever]

The fact that this has 13k views shows how unpopular and inferior the 717 is 😭

[@mikeyriley8959]

I heard Alaska will buy them

[@andrewstevens2364]

Is what it is.

[@christianbayerstein5243]

Yes, and it was time, the Boeing 717 was a modified DC 9 from the 60s, the Airbus A220 is a completely new aircraft and so much better in every way.

[@thetruthbehindplanes]

yep,underpowered,missing gear pins,eggshell fuesalage,engine issues(airbus wasnt smart enoguh to go with a safer engine),it makes the perfect replacement for the safer 717😂😂😂

[@christianbayerstein5243]

@ what a bullshit, the A220 is not underpowered with it’s huge P&W geared fans.

[@phuketexplorer]

Boeing are so finished! How long is it going to be before the company folds.

[@electro_sykes]

Now the 717s are gone, the fokkers and 737s will now be the next to go. A220 are replacing 717s and some Fokkers, some ex-jetstar A320s are replacing the remaining Fokkers. A321neo are replacing most 737s on golden triangle and transcontinental and trans tasman routes whilst A220s will replace 737s on smaller intercity routes. As the A220s as being gradually delivered, Qantas is tempoarilly leasing Embrayers from alliance airlines. Also worth noting, A321s will replace some A330s on routes to south east asia, whilst the rest of the A330s will be replaced by additional 787s and A350s. The A380s will also be replaced by A350s and the A350s will also be used for project sunrise.

[@theharper1]

Technically the Fokker and Embraer aircraft are wet-leased from Alliance to Qantas (who surprisingly also wet-lease to Virgin Australia). So in terms of replacing the Fokker and Embraers, that will depend on Alliance not Qantas. Agree that saying the 737-800 will be replaced by the A321 misses the pint a bit, because they will mainly be used on long domestic or short international flights from what I understand. Most of the Qantas 737-800 fleet is domestic between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth (with a much smaller number of flights to other places like Canberra, Cairns, and NT. Qantas must be planning to keep some of the A330 fleet quite a while, because they are refurbing the interiors.

[@electro_sykes]

@@theharper1 Qantas has fokker 100s from network aviation. In WA.

[@marksellinger3736]

First, its an MD95, not a 717. And it is another example of Boeing screwing themselves and relying on their coveted 737. So instead of still building the MD95, or the MD90, they lose another customer.

[@philcleaver2703]

Watching closely as the cycles increase if the P&WGTF donks hold up. Other carriers such as SWiss and othershave had the kiss of death with this plant same on the jungle jets

[@flypawels]

A220 ❤👍

[@l3v1ckUK]

What's the betting the A220s get grounded because of the spare parts issue, and they have to keep flying the 717 a bit longer? Assuming they don't sell them straight away.

[@mattrodger7097]

I doubt the B717s will be used again by Qantas. I flew on one two years ago and it had definitely seen better days.

[@Mark-uh7cr]

New is always better, flew from Oahu to Maui on a 717, cramped, old and dusty...

[@magical_catgirl]

Hard to see how MEL-CBR, a state capital to national capital, is a "regional" route. The A220s are mostly flying MEL-CBR and MEL-Tasmania.

[@mattrodger7097]

They were flying them MEL-BNE for a while too. Which is hardly regional.

[@mattrodger7097]

They also announced recently that the A220 will fly DRW-SIN next year.

[@richardneilan2392]

I will not miss that ugly little airplane at all.

[@FabianAsis-wy6gj]

A220 is ugly horrible design