‍DALLAS — Qantas (QF) has postponed the international launch of its Airbus A220-300, rescheduling its first international flight from March 2025 to October 2025. 

The airline had initially planned to deploy the new aircraft on its Darwin-Singapore route, providing a newer option to its old Boeing 737-800 fleet. 

However, the delay is due to the retraining of QantasLink Boeing 717 pilots, considering the much more disparate operational and technological requirements of the A220.

The airline retired its Boeing 717-200 fleet towards the end of 2024, and pilots had to undergo a comprehensive retraining program for the A220, which features a vastly different cockpit layout and flying characteristics. 

QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan emphasized that maintaining A220s on domestic routes at this juncture allows the airline to smooth out the transition. The aircraft operates on routes such as, but not exclusive to, Melbourne-Brisbane, Sydney-Hobart, and Melbourne-Canberra.

Boeing 737-800 to Run Darwin-Singapore Route Until October

As an alternative to the A220, QF will commence operations on the Singapore-Darwin route with the Boeing 737-800 from 30 March 2025. 

The capacity of the airplane, which accommodates 174 passengers compared to the A220, which can seat 137 passengers, will handle four weekly frequencies instead of the original five weekly frequencies. The new schedule follows:

• QF113 (Boeing 737-800): Leaves Darwin at 2:55 PM and reaches Singapore at 6:15 PM.
• QF114 (Boeing 737-800): Leaving Singapore at 7:20 PM and arriving in Darwin at 1:40 AM the next day.

As Airbus A220 will commence operations on the route on October 26, 2025, QF will increase the frequency of the service to five per week. The new schedule will be:

• QF281 (Airbus A220-300): Leaves Darwin at 4:05 PM and reaches Singapore at 7:25 PM.
• QF282 (Airbus A220-300): Departs Singapore at 10:25 PM and arrives in Darwin at 4:45 AM.

This timing allows for convenient connections to QF's iconic QF1 and QF2 flights on the Kangaroo Route from Sydney to London. Travelers landing in Singapore from Darwin will have a four- or five-hour layover before departing on QF1 to London, departing at 11:05 PM.

Features of the QF Airbus A220

The A220 is central to QF's fleet modernization plan. By 2027, it will have 29 aircraft in service, replacing its aging 737-800s. 

While the A220 does not have seatback entertainment screens, a choice made because it will operate mainly on short domestic flights, it will have unrestricted, high-speed Wi-Fi. 

That will be implemented on the Darwin-Singapore route by the end of 2025, as the aircraft can toggle between Australia's NBN and international ViaSat-3 satellite networks based on location.

The A220 also includes a quieter cabin, larger windows, and increased fuel efficiency, which is a pleasing choice for customers and one of the central forces behind QF's push towards sustainability.

Competitive Landscape on The Darwin-Singapore Route

Qantas faces excellent competition on the Singapore-Darwin route from Singapore Airlines, which operates the Boeing 737 MAX on this specific route. Singapore Airlines aircraft offer lie-flat business class seats, seatback entertainment systems, and free Wi-Fi services. 

The airline's extensive network from Singapore's Changi Airport allows easy onward travel to Asian, European, and American destinations. As enticing as these benefits are, QF relies on its on-time links to London and service familiarity to acquire and retain customers.

Qantas' Fleet Upgrade Plan

In addition to the A220, QF is transitioning from Boeing planes to creating an all-Airbus fleet. 

The airline has ordered the A320neo family of aircraft to replace the 737-800s and committed to the Airbus A350-1000 for its ambitious non-stop Project Sunrise services to Europe and the U.S. East Coast, which are due to begin in late 2026. 

The first of 28 Airbus A321XLR ordered by the Australian airline emerged from the paint shop at Airbus’ Hamburg facility on Fabruary 15, 2025. The aircraft, registered VH-OGA, will later be named Great Ocean Road and is powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, though it was seen without engines at this stage.

With five A220s already operational, QF is still committed to the fleet renewal program.

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