After alighting from Melbourne flight, I had a transit of 4hrs in Canberra. I had check-in completed online and got boarding pass for both flights.
I had a good breakfast in Melbourne and wasn't hungry. I decided not to exit airport instead wait in departure area for the next flight.
Flight Booking and check-in
I had selected this flight for the Boeing 717-200, which are leaving the fleet with introduction of Airbus 220-300.
I selected seat 16A during booking process.
I checked through the Qantas website and received digital boarding pass.
Exploring the terminal
I had plenty of time for next flight and used it to explore the terminal. Canberra terminal has high ceiling glass which bring plenty of natural light. Art work after clearing security for domestic passengers.
Gate numbers are large fonts making them easy to read from distance.
Video: Explore Canberra Airport
Airside view
Qantaslink to Melbourne was boarding at gate 11
Art work near gate 11 with the Melbourne bound QantasLink in the background.
QantasLink QF1279 boarding in progress.
Qantas Lounge next to shop between Gate 10 and 11.
Video: Qantaslink VH-X4A
Watched the aircraft pushback
I checked flight information for QF1510, information was not available.
Flight history
Canberra airport arrivals information
Rex Airline taxies past the gate
I had work to finish, there are working areas next to shop. Plugged my phone and laptop to charge. Free Wi-Fi is available for those without personal data.
Flight schedule
I continued exploring the terminal after work.
I checked flight information and saw below information. QantasLink VH-YQS would be operating QF1509.
Aircraft rotation
Flight history
View of shops and waiting area near gate
Flight schedule with direction
Aircraft had departed from Sydney.
✈ Spotting
Jetstar Airways to Gold Coast
Video: ✈ Spotting - Canberra Airport
Qantas QF1523 from Melbourne disembarking
Checked the arrival of QF1509 which was approach.
QantasLink VH-YQS Boeing 717-200 arrives as QF1509 from Sydney
Walking towards boarding gate
Flight schedule
Passengers waiting near gate
Continued spotting near gate, watched government aircraft taxi and depart.
QantasLink VH-YQS taxies infront of gate
Parked in bay
Ground crew at work
Information display of departing and arriving flight.
View of boarding gate
Link Airways codeshare partner of Virgin Australia departing to Newcastle
As there was plenty of time to board continued the walk.
Catering loading on Melbourne flight.
Jetstar to Gold Coast ready to taxi
Trainer landing on runway 12-30
Boeing 717-200
Boarding
Ground staff announced boarding for Business class and Qantas member.
Boarding commenced on time.
I boarded when general boarding was called.
Boarding pass scanned and was allowed to continue. Boarding through glass aerobridge.
With no queue was in aircraft in no time. Crew greeted and directed me to seat.
Onboard
View of economy class seat on boarding.
Seat 16A view
Safety card in seat pocket
Boarding continued
Pleasant weather from window
Engine and wing partially seen through window
Seat Pocket Material
As it's a short flight, I checked the seat content before departure.
Seat pocket contained safety card and airsickness bag
QantasLink Boeing 717-200 safety card
Full view
Flipped
Boeing 717-200 window
Cabin was clean, seat belt fastened waiting for pushback.
Boarding last passengers.
Pushback and Departure
Crew made announcement and safety demonstration after closing the door.
Pushback commenced on time, passengers in exit row were provided evacuation instructions.
During autumn, Canberra has good light due to Northerly sun and with low clouds due to high elevation, appears amazing.
After pushback a short taxi to runway 35 end
View from Runway 35 end. Aircraft departed at 4.58pm from Canberra.
Direct Factory Outlet [DFO] shopping in view on takeoff towards North.
Canberra landmarks - Mount Ainslie lookout and Telstra tower on Black mountain in view after taking off, Road below is M23 Majura Parkway.
Flying over NSW within minutes as airport is on the ACT-NSW border.
Air vents and light
Seat was comfortable and plenty of leg room for me.
Cabin service
Cabin announcement was made regarding refreshment service
Received refreshment and drink with serviette.
Rice crackers with Guacamole dip
Southern suburbs of Sydney below
Descend commences
Pilot announced descend would commence, crew cleared the rubbish and conducted safety check.
Turning West over Georges river.
Somewhere over the South Western Suburbs, Mostly likely Bankstown airport as factories in view
Turning East over North Western Suburbs
Wing view
Approaching Sydney
Sydney landmarks in view - ANZAC bridge, CBD, Opera house and Harbour bridge on the wing tip.
View of Princes highway and Airport Gateway road - above the containers
Landing on runway 16R
Qantas - Terminal 3 in view
Arrived in Sydney at 5.35pm.
Exiting runway.
Passing the remote bays
Taxi view of Boeing 717-200
Roos linedup
Parked in bay, doors opening instructions from cockpit.
Crew allowing business passengers to deboard first.
Disembarkation
Passengers getting ready to disembark
Ground crew at work
Economy Cabin view during disembarkation
Entering Terminal
Crew wished passengers during disembarkation
Aircraft prepared for next flight
Exiting Terminal
Terminal 3 gate view
I walked towards the exit following the signs
Signs are clear
Passing through the man-trap to exit
Escalator to lower level, walking past baggage claim following train sign.
Walkway to Domestic station
Train to City
I would be catching train to Central.
Walking towards the barriers and tapped Opal card to enter the concourse.
Train to central and city circle from Platform 1
Train had arrived
Video: Sydney domestic airport to Central station train ride
Onboard to Central.
Video: QantasLink QF1510 Canberra to Sydney route
END of Trip Report
This is the last report of this series.
Hope you enjoyed this trip report. Thanks for reading. :)
See more
Verdict
QantasLink
6.5/10
Cabin7.5
Cabin crew7.0
Entertainment/wifi5.0
Meal/catering6.5
Canberra - CBR
7.5/10
Efficiency7.5
Access7.5
Services7.5
Cleanliness7.5
Sydney - SYD
7.5/10
Efficiency7.5
Access7.5
Services7.5
Cleanliness7.5
Conclusion
Qantas departed on time and arrived earlier than scheduled. Cabin was clean, No Wifi or entertainment was available. Being a short flight, wasn't an issue for me. Refreshment was served for a 38 minute flight. As the aircraft was not full, service was quick.
Canberra airport was good experience. Wi-Fi was available, working desk was useful for me. Toilet was clean and well maintained.
After disembarking in Sydney, I walked to exit as I wasn't having a check-in bag. Train was on platform when I reached. Had no issues.
Another satisfactory trip series ends. :)
3 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
Did this route on the Boeing 717 when I visited in November, thanks for sharing this! Its going to be a real end to an era as the last Australian "Mad Dogs" leave the fleet later this year... be nice to see one sent to a museum or aviation university, but I can't see that occurring now.
So cool to have been able to fly the A220 (the replacement) on the outbound and the 717 (the replacee) on the return! The cabins still look really nice despite the aircraft's age, though it's a shame they never committed to having streaming IFE on all 717s despite having announced it several times, though that's all moot now with the retirement coming. Pretty decent snack for such a short flight. Certainly better than anything that we'd have in the US for a sub-1h flight.
Lucky how you were able to get on a 717 before Qantas retires them completely! Looked like a really comfortable flight as well! By the way, what phone/camera do you use to take your FR photos??
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6 Comments
Yes, its the last year to fly a Boeing 717 in Australia. I was lucky to be able to fly one.
Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for sharing!
I don't have interest in entertainment/sports. So I don't miss the IFE when travelling. I prefer to read something useful or just relax.
As the flight time is short, IFE nor Wi-Fi didn't matter.
I prefer a comfortable seat, proper food, departure and arrival on time, no missed connections.
Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for your comment.
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