Qantas is ramping up its presence in Hobart with regional arm QantasLink adding 11 return flights a week to its roster from Sydney and Melbourne and making for easier connections with airline’s international flights to destinations such as Los Angeles, Shanghai and Tokyo.
Served by QantasLink’s newer Boeing 717 aircraft, passengers can stretch out in one of 12 leather business class seats at the pointy end…
… or can make the journey in economy, with both inflight entertainment and an inclusive meal and beverage service as you’d expect on Qantas’ larger mainline aircraft.
Taking effect from March 8 2016, here’s what QantasLink’s new Hobart schedule will look like:
Qantas caused a stir last year with the handover of its Hobart flights to QantasLink and the resultant replacement of the larger – and now retired – Boeing 737-400s with QantasLink’s smaller Boeing 717 jets, although the passenger experience is largely mirrored on both planes, and now improved on the 717s.
For example, QantasLink previously utilised Sydney Airport’s Terminal 2 which offered a Qantas Club but lacked a true business class lounge. Now, QantasLink flights depart from and arrive at Terminal 3 which also offers Business Lounge and Chairman’s Lounge facilities.
The airline also introduced new business class seats and an upgraded economy cabin on a portion of its Boeing 717 fleet, along with Q Streaming technology in which Qantas beams movies, TV shows and music to travellers’ own devices.
Competitor Virgin Australia continues to serve Hobart with its Embraer 190 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft – both of which provide a business class service – although the airline trails Qantas in not having a lounge for its premium passengers and frequent flyers at Hobart Airport.
Also read:
- QantasLink Boeing 717 business class review
- Qantas to start Melbourne-Gold Coast flights from October
- Economy class review: QantasLink Boeing 717
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Dec 2014
Total posts 284
Tassie is a nice place!
12 Jun 2014
Total posts 71
the tray table may squeeze the lights out of a big guy!!! the timetable looks quite similar to virgin australia
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Oct 2011
Total posts 33
Loving the early flight to SYD and the evening flight. Opens up so many new international connections via SYD. Couldn't come quick enough! VIrgin will hopefully follow suit.
16 May 2014
Total posts 99
Still cannot work out why thats the only state in the country you cannot fly to direct from perth ;/
We dont all want to fly via melbourne or sydney
04 May 2015
Total posts 261
Well, that didn't take long at all... seriously, must every article have somebody from Perth complaining when the news doesn't involve their fair city? Didn't you just get a swanky new Qantas lounge which is better than any on the east coast?
16 May 2014
Total posts 99
Ha let me guess someone from sydney???
Gold
got no idea
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Jul 2011
Total posts 60
Pretty sure QF don't fly direct from Canberra either.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 Jun 2012
Total posts 40
NT & SA have no direct flights either... It all depends on consumer demand!
10 Sep 2012
Total posts 149
[Deleted - off topic]
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 Mar 2015
Total posts 54
Except who is going to fly PER - HBT direct? Qantas could hardly fit a 717 on that kind of route
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 357
You get more status credits and more miles. So no need to complain.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Jul 2011
Total posts 187
We cant get to Tassie from ADL direct either.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2014
Total posts 143
I love the 717, I ways get it to ADL from Sydney when I can and I love how cute and s Hobart airport is, the Qantas club is similar to the lounge in Tamworth.
10 Sep 2012
Total posts 149
It's cute when it's not 1700 on Sunday. Then, it's just ugly.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jun 2013
Total posts 366
I love going to Tasmania but was restricted to Jetstar!! Because of lack of flights with Qantas in the past .i will be able to get the 8.15am now Melb Hobart.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 381
Loving the new early morning HBA-SYD flight as well as the evening SYD-HBA flight. Well done Qantas.
20 Aug 2012
Total posts 117
Excellent, nice one Qantas! Would love Brisbane to be included in there too at some stage.
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 580
Qantas didn't refresh a portion of their fleet to introduce business class on the 717's. What they did was obtain 5 additional aircraft that prior to delivery were fitted out with business class. The exiting fleet was not touched.
Also should be mentioned but Qantas has obtained another 2 717's which will be fitted in 2 class, hence why the can increase flights on the east coast.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Jul 2011
Total posts 60
Great news. More of those 717s. They are very neat planes and great to fly on (as long as you aren't near the back).
Not sure why those from/going to Tassie would complain about having to fly on a 717 over a 737-400. I'd call it an upgrade.
10 Aug 2015
Total posts 113
That evening departure from Sydney is the absolute best news. Previously just the morning departure, and then all other services being jetstar, didn't allow for a nice start to a weekend getaway.
Given the highly efficient nature of Hobart airport, a late Sunday afternoon departure to Sydney makes it so easy to allow for an almost full weekend on the Apple Isle.
Thank you Qantas!
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 458
Pretty good connections if connecting from Adelaide through to Hobart.The 9:50am,11:40am and 3:30pm via Melbourne going over work out well with reasonable waiting time and in the other direction all services provide a good connection on the way home.I have not been on a 717 yet on this sector so any help at what to expect would be nice.
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