QF1510 - Economy - Canberra → Sydney - Boeing 717-200Coming soon
Flight Booking
I was originally booked to fly early morning.
and had selected seat while booking. I cancelled the booking and changed to later flight.
PRe-Departure
Prior to departure, I checked for flight online. On the airline website, I provided booking reference, first and last name to access the online check-in feature.
Flight information below
Followed the links
Completed the online check-in within minutes.
Provided email address to receive a copy of boarding pass. I changed seat to 4A for this flight.
Arriving at Airport
I was tired from the previous days walk and travel, slept early and woke up on time to organise my things. Before leaving chatted with motel owner. I had arranged taxi with the same driver for next day. I had informed him regarding my ETD. He sent a replacement driver on time. I got in the taxi and reached airport in 20 mins. Paid the driver and entered the terminal.
Midura arrivals and departures has separate entrance.
Check-in
Check-in counters are immediately after entering. I didn't have check-in bag, I went to counter to get a boarding pass. I provided drivers license and was issued boarding pass.
There is a small seating area near the check-in to rest.
As I was early, not many passengers were at check-in.
Checked flight schedule, 2 flights departing to Melbourne with a gap of 10mins.
Waiting area behind the glass
Security check
Security check is next to the waiting area, removed laptop and phone for x-ray. Check was done within a minute.
Departure Area
After completing security, I had breakfast and coffee at the airport cafe in the departure area. Cafe had many customers and was busy.
Flight was delayed by 10 minutes. As I finished breakfast, Boarding had started.
Rex Airline VH-ZLO SAAB340B would be operating ZL3657 to Melbourne
Boarding
Boarding for this flight was from gate 2. I joined the queue to board. Showed the boarding pass and was allowed to continue towards aircraft.
Onboard
A short walk and was close to the aircraft, Pilot was on ground to greet passengers. On board, I had selected seat 4A, single seat on port side. Seat is cramped, handbag stored under seat.
Taxi and Departure
As all passengers had boarded door was closed, propellers were started.
Mildura airport view as aircraft turned towards runway.
1 Cabin crew served this flight, She performed safety demonstration and announcements.
Departure
Aircraft taxied to the end of the runway and turned 360 degrees to line up with runway 27.
Qantaslink Dash in view, which would follow Rex to Melbourne.
Rotating from Mildura
Mildura is a agriculture town of Victoria famous for oranges, table grapes and avocados.
SEat Pocket Content
Seat pocket contained Safety card, TrulyAus - inflight magazine and air sickness bag
Cabin service
Crew asked passengers if they would like to have sweet or savoury snack along with tea or coffee. Water was provided.
Crew served passenger from front of cabin
I chose savoury mix with tea.
Cabin view
Seat number, light and air vent.
Saab340B cabin view
Entertainment and Wifi
There is no onboard entertainment on the aircraft, passengers using personal device or watching out of window. WiFi is not available for this aircraft.
Approaching Melbourne
Time passed looking out of the window, being a short flight. Pilot announced descend would be commencing shortly.
View of Melbourne suburbs, Approach was from the North East.
Aircraft landed on runway 27
Taxing past the international terminal
Heading towards Terminal 4
Parked in remote bay
Disembarkation
Aircraft was parked and Crew opened door for disembarkation.
Bus approaching aircraft
Passengers disembarked and boarded the bus
Melbourne Airport Bus Ride
After disembarking, boarded bus for the terminal.
ViDEO: Melbourne Airport Bus Ride
REX Airline VH-ZLO SAAB340B parked
Planespotting
Planespotting from bus
Royal Brunei Boeing 787 for Bandar Seri Begwan
Thai Airways A350-900
China Airlines A350-900
REX Airlines Boeing 737-800
Terminal 4
After alighting from bus, walk through the corridor and reached arrival area. As I wasn't carrying check-in bag, I didn't have to wait to exit the terminal.
Flight was late by few minutes. My hotel check-in was from 2pm, I sat in arrivals area to finish work.
ExiTing Terminal
I exited the terminal after my work was done.
Skybus stop outside the Terminal 4
Video: Walking to Holiday Inn Hotel, Melbourne Airport
I followed the hotel sign
Qantas special livery - VH-ZND was parked for 2 days
Holiday Inn in view
Walking towards the hotel
I had booked hotel near airport as I didn't want to travel to city and then come back next day.
Aircraft, Flight and Route information
REX Airline VH-ZLO SAAB340B operated ZL3657
Video: Rex Airlines ZL3657 Mildura to Melbourne route
Aircraft rotation on day of travel.
Hope you enjoyed this trip report. Thanks for reading. :)
Bonus : Click here display hide
Hotel check-in time was 2pm. I reached reception and provided my booking reference. Receptionist explained the details and breakfast details.
I was allocated room was on 7th Floor.
Got the room key.
Video: Holiday Inn Hotel - Melbourne Airport, Australia
Room view on entrance
Bed was comfortable
Tv and working desk. I didn't turn on Tv.
Sofa and desk was old and worn-out.
Qantas special livery in view
I thought of taking bus to city after sleeping. I went to bed and fell asleep immediately.
After waking, I dropped idea of going out to city and stepped out for dinner.
Window view.
See more
Verdict
Regional Express
6.4/10
Cabin7.0
Cabin crew7.5
Entertainment/wifi5.0
Meal/catering6.0
Mildura - MQL
6.9/10
Efficiency7.0
Access6.5
Services7.0
Cleanliness7.0
Melbourne - MEL
7.0/10
Efficiency7.0
Access7.0
Services7.0
Cleanliness7.0
Conclusion
Rex flight was slightly delayed, which did not affect me. Onboard service was satisfactory, Crew was friendly and cheerful. Mildura being a regional airport was not busy, security was quick. Airport cafe prices are high as is the standard in Australia. Aircraft had no onboard entertainment nor WiFi due to short flights.
Melbourne Airport was easy to navigate, I didn't have bag which was why I didn't have to wait after arriving.
REX Airline flight was satisfactory.
4 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
Back to REX's roots! A reminder of a time---not so long ago, when they only operated small aircraft on regional routes. Cool to see a review on the Saab 340; it looks like a nice little aircraft and the 1-2 configuration is very nice. Also nice to get a snack on this kind of short flight.
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4 Comments
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for sharing
Ps that couch on the hotel looked miserable...they should feel ashamed to keep furniture in that state!
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