When it comes to regional aviation in Western Australia, one aircraft divides opinion more than any other: the QantasLink Airbus A320. Known for its origins as a hand-me-down Jetstar aircraft, the A320 has long been criticised for tight legroom, ageing interiors, and a noticeably more “budget” feel compared with the Qantas Boeing 737-800s that most travellers are accustomed to.

But is flying on a QantasLink A320 in 2025 really that bad? Does its ex-low-cost-carrier history still define the experience—or has QantasLink refined the product enough to deliver a worthwhile flight?

To find out, I flew one of QantasLink’s longest West Australian interstate services, the 2 hour and 20 minute flight from Port Hedland to Perth, to experience the A320 in its current form. This comprehensive QantasLink Airbus A320 review breaks down the cabin, seating, inflight service, entertainment, comfort, airport experience, and value for money.

If you’re a FIFO traveller, regional flyer, aviation enthusiast, or someone wondering whether this aircraft is worth the often-premium fares Qantas charges in WA, this review is for you.

About the Destination: Port Hedland – Western Australia’s Mining Powerhouse

Before we get into the flight, it’s worth understanding the unique context of Port Hedland—because this town is the textbook example of how mining drives regional aviation demand in WA.

Port Hedland (and its satellite town, South Hedland) together have a population of roughly 18,000 residents. Yet the airport handles almost half a million passengers per year—equivalent to around 30 flights per year per resident, a staggering statistic that perfectly illustrates the sheer scale of FIFO (Fly-In Fly-Out) operations in the Pilbara.

Why is Port Hedland so important?

1. It’s the largest bulk export port in the world

Over 500 million tonnes of cargo—mostly iron ore—passes through here each year.

2. It is a strategic hub for WA’s mining economy

The port’s infrastructure supports countless FIFO schedules, chartered flights, and rotating mining crews.

3. Aviation is essential

In this region, flying isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Because of this, Port Hedland Airport sees constant traffic from:

QantasLink
Virgin Australia Regional
Alliance Airlines
NJS/Nexus Airlines
FIFO charters of all varieties

As a result, despite the small population, Port Hedland Airport is one of the busiest regional airports in the state, alongside Broome, Karratha, Kalgoorlie, and Newman.

Airport Experience at Port Hedland: Good Check-in, Poor Security Handling

Check-in at Port Hedland was smooth, quick, and efficient. Even though the terminal was not busy due to the Easter long weekend, check-in only opened around 1 hour and 30 minutes before departure, which is fairly typical for regional WA airports outside of FIFO peak hours.

Check-In Experience

Staffed by a third-party ground handling team
Friendly and efficient
Bag drop processed within minutes
No queues at this stage
Boarding pass issued the traditional way—no kiosks or automation

However, what followed was far less impressive.

Security Delays

Security was not open even after most passengers had completed check-in. Passengers were left standing around awkwardly at the baggage carousel area waiting for staff to arrive. It genuinely felt like the staff were late to their shift.

Once the checkpoint finally opened, a significant queue formed, resulting in:

A 15–20 minute wait to clear screening
Passengers having to rush directly to boarding
No chance to visit the departures lounge or rest before the flight

For an airport that processes hundreds of thousands of passengers annually, this was disappointing and not particularly professional.

Overall Airport Rating (Port Hedland)

⭐ 6/10 – Smooth check-in but late security opening and poor passenger flow management.

Meet the Aircraft: QantasLink’s Airbus A320 (VH-VQR)

Tonight’s aircraft was VH-VQR, a nearly 20-year-old Airbus A320 that has spent its entire life within the Qantas Group. It flew with Jetstar from 2005 until 2023 before being transferred to Qantas subsidiary Network Aviation, which handles most QantasLink jet operations in WA.

Aircraft Specs

180 seats
All-economy configuration
3-3 seating layout
28–29” pitch (very tight)
No seatback screens
No USB ports
No Wi-Fi
Stream-to-your-device system (though often unreliable, including today)

QantasLink Network Aviation Fleet

17 A320 aircraft currently operating in WA
2 more expected (from the closure of Jetstar Asia Singapore)

Supplemented by 9 A319s from Spirit Airlines
Co-exists alongside 14 aging Fokker 100s

The A320 has become the backbone of QantasLink’s Western Australia jet operations, especially for high-demand mining routes.

But age shows—and it shows clearly.

Boarding the QantasLink A320 – A Budget Feel from the Start

Boarding was already underway by the time I cleared security, so there was no stopping in the lounge area. Once on board, it was immediately obvious that almost nothing has changed since Jetstar operated this aircraft.

Cabin Appearance

Black Jetstar-standard leather seats
No Qantas-style upgrades
Minimalistic, ageing interior
LED cabin lights but overall still dated

This is not a premium product—and Qantas makes no attempt to pretend otherwise.

Seating and Space

The Airbus A320 seating on QantasLink is one of the tightest in Australia, with the infamous 28-inch pitch left over from its budget-carrier past. This creates:

Limited knee room
Very tight legroom for taller passengers
A cramped feel on longer flights
Reduced ability to recline comfortably

However, I was fortunate enough to have an entire row to myself, which dramatically improved comfort. Without that, 2 hours and 20 minutes in a 28-inch seat would not be enjoyable.

Seat Features

Standard tray table (fold and extend style)
Seatback pocket with:
- Qantas magazine
- Safety card
- Sick bag

No power outlets
No entertainment screen

This is a barebones hard product, especially considering the price Qantas often charges on this route.

Taxi and Takeoff: The Highlight of the Flight

After pushback, we taxied toward the runway for a stunning sunset departure over the massive Port Hedland port infrastructure.

The view from the window was spectacular:

Endless rows of iron ore stockpiles
The gigantic harbour with its shipping berths
Trains, conveyors, and loaders stretching for kilometres

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the A320 powered up and lifted off over one of the most dramatic industrial landscapes in Australia. For aviation enthusiasts, the takeoff was easily one of the highlights of the entire flight.

Inflight Entertainment: The System Failed Completely

QantasLink advertises a stream-to-your-own-device entertainment system on the A320 fleet. Unfortunately:

It did not work at all.

Would not load on my iPhone
Would not load on my MacBook
No movies, no TV, no flight map

Compounding the issue, my Amazon Prime downloads had expired, and new changes to Prime Music meant half my offline music collection would not play either.

This left only the Qantas inflight magazine, which was fine but far from a substitute for actual entertainment on a 2-hour flight.

Entertainment Rating

⭐ 2/10 – System failed entirely; cabin has zero fallback options.

Inflight Service: Drinks Save an Otherwise Average Offering

QantasLink’s inflight service remains one of its stronger points, even on the A320. Tonight’s service included:

Snack

Only one option:

Sweet potato, spinach & goat’s cheese quiche

It was:

Warm
Edible
Small
Nothing special

For a flight lasting more than 2 hours, it felt underwhelming.

Drinks

QantasLink’s strong point is its full drink service, including alcoholic options, all complimentary.

Tonight’s choices included:

Beer
Wine
Tea & coffee
Soft drinks

I selected:

De Bortoli Sauvignon Blanc
Stone & Wood Pacific Ale (4.4%) later in the flight

Both were enjoyable and elevated an otherwise average experience.

Easter Bonus

Being Easter Sunday, the crew also handed out Lindor chocolates, a simple but appreciated touch.

Service Rating

⭐ 7/10 – Drinks were excellent, food was average, but crew were friendly.

Cabin Comfort & Atmosphere

With a spare row, the flight was reasonably comfortable. Without it, the 28-inch pitch would have been a significant issue.

Noise

Typical for an A320
Not excessively loud
Pleasant at cruise

Temperature

Comfortable cabin temperature throughout

Cleanliness

Cabin overall clean
Lavatories tidy and well-maintained

Lavatory Review

Typical narrow-body A320 lavatory:

Clean
Running water & soap
Baby change table
Coat hook

Nothing special, nothing bad.

Comfort Rating

⭐ 6.5/10 – Okay only because the row was empty.

Descent and Arrival Into Perth

As we descended over the northern suburbs of Perth, the city lights shimmered below against a darkening sky. The landing at Perth Airport was smooth, and shortly after touching down we taxied to Terminal 3/4, used predominantly by QantasLink and regional services.

The cooler Perth evening was a welcome relief after the heat and humidity of Port Hedland.

Value for Money: Outstanding with Points, Poor with Cash

This ticket was booked as a Qantas Classic Reward:

12,000 Qantas Points
$75 in taxes

The cash fare was over $600 one way, meaning:

I saved more than $500

—and almost $900 across the entire trip when combining both outbound and return reward flights.

Value Breakdown

With points: ⭐ 9.5/10 – Exceptional value
With cash: ⭐ 3/10 – Not worth $600+ for this hard product

The A320, in its current condition, does not justify premium pricing.

Final Verdict: QantasLink Airbus A320 Review (2025)

After a full 4,000-word deep dive, here’s the comprehensive summary.

The Good

✔ Free drinks (beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks)
✔ Friendly crew
✔ Smooth ride and spectacular sunset views
✔ Clean cabin and lavatories
✔ Great value when redeemed with points
✔ Reliable workhorse aircraft for regional WA

The Bad

✘ Extremely tight 28-inch seat pitch
✘ Ageing cabin with almost no Qantas upgrades
✘ No power outlets or USB
✘ No Wi-Fi
✘ Stream-to-device entertainment didn’t work at all
✘ Food was basic
✘ High cash fares not justified
✘ Security issues at Port Hedland Airport

Overall Rating — QantasLink Airbus A320 (Port Hedland → Perth)

⭐ 6.5 / 10

A functional, reliable, but undeniably budget-feeling experience disguised under the Qantas brand.

Should You Fly the QantasLink A320 in WA?

Here’s the simple breakdown:

Fly it if:

You’re using Qantas Points
You value schedule over comfort
You want complimentary drinks
You accept that WA regional flying is expensive

Avoid it if:

You expect a premium Qantas mainline experience
You need comfortable legroom
You’re paying full cash fares
You want reliable entertainment or Wi-Fi

Conclusion

The QantasLink Airbus A320 remains a vital part of WA’s regional aviation network, but it’s undeniably a dated product that struggles to justify premium fares. While the crew, drinks service, and scenic views help soften the blow, the lack of comfort and outdated cabin make this aircraft feel more Jetstar than Qantas.

That said, with the right seat selection—and especially when redeemed with points—it can still be a perfectly acceptable way to travel across the vast distances of Western Australia.

If Qantas wants to raise the bar for regional WA customers, the A320 fleet will eventually need substantial upgrades… or replacement.

Disclaimer: This article has been repurposed from the original transcript of my own flight review on the Aussie JetSetter Youtube channel 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 >

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