QantasLink debuts refurbished Boeing 717: slim seats, but more of them

Qantas' first refitted Boeing 717 is now running on regional QantasLink routes, sporting a snazzier interior and new slimline seats -- albeit with ten more of them, or two full rows -- on the all-economy class flights.

As Australian Business Traveller reported in September, the refitted jets have 125 new seats, up from 115 in the current layout.

Here's the new layout:

Compare it with with the old one:

Savvy travellers will also have spotted that the choice exit row seating has also changed, with the new jets' extra-legroom seats in rows 15 and 16, rather than rows 14 and 15 on the older layout.

In addition to the thinner seating, the legroom comes from your knee space -- and Qantas has also pulled out the front lavatory, leaving just two loos down the back on the revamped jet. (That's the box marked "Crew Use Only" on the seat maps.

How do these slimline seats work? AusBT's real-world photo guide to slimline seats weighs up whether they're better for you.

"The upgraded interiors will also feature new carpet, a top-mounted magazine box in front of each seat to maximise legroom, and an additional seat pocket," Qantas says.

Qantas hasn't yet released images of the new 717 seats, but they sound a lot like these slimline versions seen on Jetstar.

Qantas uses the Boeing 717s on scheduled routes to Paraburdoo, Port Hedland, Broome, Karratha, Newman, Gladstone, Mackay and Rockhampton as well as on "fly in, fly out" resources sector charters.

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John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.