In early September I had the incredible opportunity to cover a landmark moment in Australian aviation — the first ever direct commercial flight between Perth, Western Australia, and Newcastle, New South Wales. For decades, aviation enthusiasts and regional travelers alike have awaited a direct connection between these two cities, and it finally arrived with QantasLink’s thrice weekly Airbus A319 service. This historic inaugural flight not only opened a new transcontinental route but also showcased QantasLink’s expanding reach and ambition within the Australian domestic aviation market.
A Historic Beginning: Perth Airport Departure
It was an early and wintry September morning at Perth Airport, around 6:00 a.m., as I made my way to Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 — the exclusive home of all Qantas and QantasLink domestic services, alongside a small presence from Air North. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, a mix of anticipation from fellow travelers and a quiet pride from the airline staff. This was more than just another flight; it was history in the making.
Our flight, QF1668, was set to cover a great circle distance of 3,361 kilometers, with an estimated flight time of 4 hours and 10 minutes. On the day, we managed to shave off some time and arrived in just 3 hours and 36 minutes, cruising at 37,000 feet. With only about 45 minutes to boarding, the bustling security queues and light rain didn’t dampen the anticipation.
Perth Airport itself, the fourth busiest airport in Australia with over 17 million passengers annually, offered a smooth check-in experience. Like many modern airports, QantasLink relies heavily on self-service kiosks for check-in and baggage drop. While I found the process efficient, I do wish the system didn’t require so much reliance on mobile check-in beforehand — but overall, it was straightforward, even in the Monday morning rush.
Boarding the Airbus A319: “Baby Bus” Takes Flight
As we made our way to Gate 12, the aircraft waiting for us was the relatively unknown Airbus A319-100, affectionately dubbed the airline’s “baby bus.” This particular aircraft, Victor Hotel 8 November Sierra, was originally delivered to Spirit Airlines in the United States in June 2005 and acquired by QantasLink’s West Australian Regional Division, Network Aviation, in September 2024. At just over 20 years old, it represents one of the nine A319s recently acquired from Spirit Airlines and marks the first time QantasLink is deploying the aircraft on a transcontinental route beyond Western Australia.
Boarding was efficient and friendly. Today’s flight was about two-thirds full — quite respectable for an inaugural service. At the gate, passengers were treated to small QantasLink-branded goodies, including a hat, a paddler, and candy — a nice touch that added a celebratory feel to the occasion.
Cabin Comfort and Layout
The A319 cabin layout was all economy, with 150 seats arranged in a standard 3-3 configuration across 25 rows. Seats were Ricaro units, similar to those found on Jetstar A320s, with a seat pitch of approximately 30 inches and a width of 18 inches. It wasn’t luxurious by any means, but it was comfortable enough for a medium-haul flight. The cabin was clean, well-maintained, and thoughtfully equipped with standard amenities: safety cards, inflight magazines, and air sickness bags.
Onboard, I had the chance to explore the aircraft lavatories, which were narrow but functional. Each lavatory included basic amenities such as a baby changing table and coat hook, and despite the aircraft’s age, everything was in neat condition — a testament to QantasLink’s maintenance standards.
Departure and Inflight Experience
With boarding complete, we pushed back smoothly into a bright, if chilly, September morning. As we climbed to our cruising altitude of 37,000 feet, the skies cleared, promising spectacular views across the Australian continent. The route would take us over the West Australian coastline, across the Great Australian Bight, into South Australia, Victoria, and eventually New South Wales, skirting just south of Wagga Wagga and north of Mildura before making our final approach into Newcastle.
Inflight, QantasLink delivered a service consistent with their brand. Passengers could enjoy a range of movies, TV shows, audiobooks, and kids’ content through the airline’s “Stream to Your Device” system, accessible via mobile devices or laptops. While not the most extensive entertainment offering in the world, it worked flawlessly, with no buffering throughout the flight. Unfortunately, Wi-Fi for general web browsing was not available on the A319, so travelers planning to work online would need to come prepared.
Breakfast Service: Room for Improvement
The cross-country breakfast service was modest. Passengers were offered a pear, cinnamon, and oats banana bread, and a cheese omelette with a single sausage and mushroom. While edible, it was somewhat underwhelming for a 3.5-hour flight, especially one crossing the continent. Beverages were standard — tea, coffee, juices, and soft drinks were available, along with compact bottled waters that are perfect for taking on the go.
Scenic Views Across Australia
One of the highlights of flying this inaugural route was the scenery. Departing Perth, we enjoyed unobstructed views of the West Australian coastline before crossing the expansive Great Australian Bight. South Australia’s rural landscapes passed beneath us as we navigated near Port Lincoln and the Spencer Gulf, and Adelaide appeared on the horizon before we crossed into Victoria and then New South Wales. Cruising up the eastern coastline, the approach into Newcastle offered striking vistas of the Blue Mountains and glimpses of Sydney Harbour in the distance.
Arrival at Newcastle Airport
After just over three hours in the air, we touched down at Newcastle Williamtown Airport, a site shared with the Royal Australian Air Force Base Williamtown. This unique setup meant that air traffic included both commercial aircraft and military operations — an interesting juxtaposition for aviation enthusiasts. The recently opened Newcastle terminal was bright and modern, designed to accommodate an anticipated increase in passenger traffic from 1.2 million to 2.5 million annually and future international services to Bali.
While the arrival experience was smooth, there were minor logistical challenges. Luggage retrieval took longer than expected, and ground transportation options to Newcastle city center were limited, with infrequent bus service and expensive taxis or Uber rides as the main alternatives. Despite this, arriving in Newcastle felt momentous — a city with over 500,000 residents, the second largest non-capital city in Australia, and a thriving regional hub with a mix of historic charm and modern developments.
Final Thoughts: An Inaugural Flight to Remember
Flying on QantasLink’s inaugural Perth to Newcastle Airbus A319 service was an exceptional experience. Highlights included:
- Smooth check-in and boarding at Perth Airport, with friendly staff and efficient processes.
- Comfortable seating and clean cabin, with legroom slightly better than comparable A320 regional aircraft.
- Reliable inflight entertainment through the Stream to Your Device system.
- Stunning aerial views across the Australian continent, from Perth to the eastern seaboard.
- Friendly and professional crew, enhancing the overall flight experience.
There were minor drawbacks, including the modest breakfast service, some logistical challenges at Newcastle Airport, and limited ground transportation options. However, these did not overshadow the excitement and historic significance of the flight.
Overall, this inaugural service is a fantastic addition to Australia’s domestic aviation network, opening new possibilities for regional travelers and offering aviation enthusiasts a unique experience aboard one of QantasLink’s “baby bus” A319s. It’s a reminder of how aviation continues to connect people and places, bridging vast distances across this beautiful continent.
Disclaimer: This article has been repurposed from the original transcript of my own flight review with the assistance of AI technologies. Please be advised whilst I have taken the utmost care to review and revise this article where necessary to reflect the upmost of accuracy at time of publication please be advised my reviews whether written or in video form are for entertainment and general information purposes only. They reflect the objective views in good faith of the person only whom is presenting them unless otherwise noted. Any decisions you make resulting from consuming my content must take into consideration your own circumstances, research and responsibility as I can not be hold responsible for any inaccuracies or future changes effecting the relativity of such reviews. All Rights Reserved by Aussie JetSetter from 2022 >
