DALLAS — For the first time, QantasLink's (QF) new A220 has operated outside of a large capital city after landing in Launceston, Northern Tasmania, Australia.

According to australianaviation.com, Koala, aircraft VH-X4B, departed Melbourne at 9:48 am local time as flight QF1541 and arrived in the northern Tasmanian city at 10:37 am.

VH-X4B first operated the inaugural Melbourne (MEL) to Canberra (CBR) QF1266 service in March. The A220 also started the Melbourne-Brisbane (BNE) route on the same day, thus beginning QF's "new era of domestic and regional travel for Australians."

In December, QF received the first of 29 A220 jet aircraft, VH-X4A, becoming the 20th operator of the type, marking a crucial step to the Qantas Group's domestic narrow-body fleet renewal.

The aircraft left the final assembly plant in Montreal on December 16, 2023, and stopped in Vancouver, Honolulu, and Nadi before arriving in Sydney. It wore a distinctive Indigenous art-inspired livery. 

One month later, VH-X4B arrived on Australian soil. A fifth A220 is anticipated to arrive in November, and the Flying Kangaroo presently operates four.

Qantas' Plans for the A220

The airline ordered 29 Airbus A220s, stating in a press release that it was expecting "one aircraft every three weeks for the next few years." QF hopes the aircraft will replace the aging Boeing 717 fleet, which the airline currently uses to connect major cities in Australia.

The aircraft is undoubtedly more efficient and can operate on up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel. Airbus says this number is likely to be 100% by 2030. The A220's range of 3,450nm (approximately 6400km) allows it to operate in the full area of Australia.

The December delivery made QF the first and only airline to receive the A220 in the Pacific. Air Niugini (PX) is set to follow this in 2025.