‘End of an era’: Qantas sells iconic Boeing 717 as part of fleet renewal

The first Boeing 717 to fly commercially in Australia is being sold overseas as Qantas phases 717s out of its fleet.

Qantas has announced the first Boeing 717 registered and flown in Australia will leave the airline’s fleet in June as all of them are gradually replaced with newer aircraft.

The plane – named Blue Mountains after the NSW national park – will be sold to another major carrier in North America.

Blue Mountains has completed more than 29,000 flights, carrying more than 1.6 million passengers for both Qantas and Jetstar.

It was registered in Australia in 2000 and operated its first commercial flight for Impulse Airlines, which was acquired by Qantas the following year to form Qantas’ regional airline QantasLink.

In May 2004, it operated Jetstar’s first flight between Melbourne, Victoria and Launceston, Tasmania on the day the budget airline started flying. Since 2006, it has operated for QantasLink.

The aircraft operated Jetstar’s first flight between Melbourne and Launceston on the day the budget airline started flying. Picture: Supplied

Qantas said Blue Mountains was the third of the airline’s 717s to leave the fleet. All of QantasLink’s 20 Boeing 717s will be gradually replaced by 29 Airbus A220 aircraft – the first of which is due to arrive later this year.

The A220s have 27 more seats, can fly double the distance and are more fuel efficient.

Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce said it was “the an end of era” for Boeing 717s.

All of Qantas’ Boeing 717s will be gradually replaced. Picture: Supplied

“It’s fitting that the very first 717 to be registered in this country is making way for another brand-new fleet type, the A220, which can operate double the range of the 717s opening up new domestic and short-haul international routes,” Mr Joyce, who will be replaced by Vanessa Hudson in November, said.

“Qantas is in the early stages of the biggest fleet renewal program in its history, with up to 299 narrowbody aircraft spread over 10-plus years as well as the A350s that will operate our Project Sunrise flights.”

Alan Joyce farewelled Australia’s first Boeing 717 on Monday. Picture: Supplied

The Airbus A350-1000s are capable of flying non-stop from Australia to any other city, which are expected begin taking off from Sydney in late 2025.

The A350s, whose first and business class cabins were unveiled this year, will take around 20 hours to reach New York and London.

“We’ve already taken delivery of four new aircraft this year and we’re on track to receive another eight before the end of the year,” Mr Joyce said.

“The new aircraft we’re receiving are much more capable than the aircraft they’re replacing. “They can fly further while being much quieter and more efficient and providing a great experience for our passengers.”