The Qantas Group has flown its last ever flight with a Boeing 717.
The final flight, QF1511 with registration VH-YQS, landed in Canberra at about 18:00 on 26 October 2024.
The aircraft flew more than 15,000 flights, over 17,000 flight hours and safely carried more than one million passengers for QantasLink over almost 11 years.
The 717s have flown for QantasLink and Jetstar for more than 20 years.
The fleet of 20 QantasLink 717 aircraft are being replaced by 29 new fuel-efficient Airbus A220s, as part of the Qantas Group’s fleet renewal program.
Rachel Yangoyan, QantasLink Chief Executive Officer:
“Today marks a significant moment in Australian aviation with the 717’s iconic T-shaped tail taking passengers to Australian skies for the last time.
“The 717 aircraft have a long history in Qantas and Jetstar’s fleet. From being the aircraft that launched Jetstar’s first ever flights in 2004 to serving major cities, regional towns and the mining sector in the West as part of QantasLink for more than 20 years, we know our people and customers have loved flying on the 717. “
About the Boeing 717
The Boeing 717 is a five-abreast narrow-body airliner produced by Boeing
The twin-engine airliner was developed for the 100-seat market and originally marketed by McDonnell Douglas in the early 1990s as the MD-95 until the company merged with Boeing in August 1997.
Most passengers would remember it as the DC-9.
History of the Qantas 717 Fleet
- The 717 is a twin-engine jet first marketed by McDonnell Douglas in the early 1990s as the MD-95, until the company merged with Boeing in August 1997. It was affectionately known as Mad Dog due to its MD initials, its power and the noise made by its engines.
- 156 Boeing 717s were produced with YQW, The Tassie Devil, the last 717 to be built at Boeing’s Long Beach assembly facility in California in 2006.
- The 717 aircraft first came into Qantas when the Group acquired Impulse Airways in 2001 flying for QantasLink.
- 14 of 717 fleet were converted to support the launch of Jetstar in May 2004 before moving back into QantasLink.
Remaining Boeing 717s flying
As of October 2024, there are 99 Boeing 717-200 aircraft in service with two airlines.
- Delta Airlines, has 80
- Hawaiian Airlines, has 19
