In a year that has already seen several notable milestones for Western Australian aviation, one of the most intriguing developments came with QantasLink’s decision to launch a direct service between Perth and Busselton Margaret River Airport. On paper, it sounds almost counterintuitive: a jet service covering just 201 kilometres, a distance most locals would instinctively drive in around two and a half hours. Yet, when the inaugural flight of QF1750 took to the skies, it wasn’t just about convenience — it was about marking history.
This wasn’t any ordinary inaugural. This was a rare opportunity to fly on one of QantasLink’s soon-to-be-retired Fokker 100 aircraft, a type that has served Western Australia faithfully for more than three decades. For aviation enthusiasts, the chance to experience the shortest jet flight in the Qantas Group on an aircraft with such rich history made this a must-fly occasion.
The History of Perth–Busselton Flights
While this service is new under the QantasLink banner, the idea of flying commercial passenger services between Perth and Busselton is not unprecedented. In years gone by, SkyWest and later Virgin Australia Regional Airlines operated flights on the route, but demand proved inconsistent. The most recent attempt before QantasLink’s arrival ended quite some time ago.
Busselton Margaret River Airport has since grown in profile, largely thanks to its east-coast links. Jetstar currently operates direct services to Melbourne and Sydney, which have enjoyed steady patronage. The addition of a Perth service is less about connecting locals to the capital — after all, the road is faster for many — and more about integrating Busselton into QantasLink’s wider network. By aligning schedules with interstate and international arrivals in Perth, the route has the potential to open the South West to visitors from across Australia and beyond.
QantasLink’s Fokker 100: The Old Reliable Workhorse of WA Skies
The Fokker 100 has been a workhorse for QantasLink in Western Australia for decades, operated under the Network Aviation brand. These 100-seat jets, powered by rear-mounted Rolls-Royce turbofan engines, have proven ideal for the state’s long, often remote routes, offering comfort and performance in equal measure.
The specific aircraft operating the inaugural service — registered VH-NHY — was delivered new to American Airlines in 1993 before spending time in Brazil with Oceanair. It joined Network Aviation in 2011, continuing a long career that has seen the type operate to almost every corner of WA. With retirement now looming for the F100 fleet, this inaugural was as much a celebration of the aircraft’s service as it was of the new route.
Perth Airport Experience: From Plane Spotting to Check-In
The day began under clear winter skies in Perth, with a bit of early-morning plane spotting along Dunreath Drive near runway 06. Perth Airport has grown considerably in recent years, with new retail developments including a direct factory outlet, Costco, and an expanding food precinct.
QantasLink operates from Terminals 3 and 4 — effectively the Qantas precinct — alongside Qantas domestic and a limited number of international departures. Airnorth also uses Terminal 3, but Jetstar has moved to Terminal 2 as of late 2023. Perth Airport is now Australia’s fourth-busiest, with over 16 million passengers in the last financial year. Interestingly, interstate travel is its largest market segment, followed by intrastate and then international.
Check-in for QF1750 was handled largely by self-service kiosks and baggage drops. While efficient, the system prints only bag tags rather than boarding passes unless you visit a staffed counter — a minor frustration for those who prefer a paper memento.
Security was brisk, though busy, and a short wander through the terminal offered views of Qantas’ domestic fleet and international departures, including QF71 to Singapore. The inaugural’s departure gate — Gate 8 — is one of several that require passengers to walk across the apron to their aircraft, a welcome throwback for enthusiasts.
The Atmosphere of the Inaugural: Amazing to see Western Australia’s Aviation Community Covering the Occasion!
At first glance, there wasn’t much to indicate this was a special flight. But as boarding time approached, the atmosphere changed. Representatives from Network Aviation, including its COO, mingled with passengers, many of whom were fellow aviation enthusiasts. Some had even travelled up from Busselton just to take the return flight.
Media crews were on hand, and well-known faces from the local aviation community, including fellow content creators, gathered at the gate. QantasLink marked the occasion with a quirky gift — a set of Qantas pyjamas, more often found in international business class — for every passenger.
Boarding was conducted in groups, and the short walk across the apron to VH-NHY revealed the timeless lines of the Fokker 100 gleaming in the winter sunshine.
Onboard the Fokker 100: Comfort from Another Era
Stepping aboard the F100 is a reminder of an era when economy class seating felt generous. QantasLink lists the pitch at 31 inches and width at 17, but in practice the cabin feels roomier than most domestic narrow-bodies in Australia.
The 2-3 seating layout offers more space per passenger than a 737 or A320, and the seats — though simple — are comfortable for short and medium-haul flights. The aircraft’s age shows only in its retro styling; maintenance standards are immaculate.
A welcome announcement marked the significance of the occasion, and soon the twin Turbofan rear mounted engines spooled to life. With a taxi time almost as long as the flight itself thanks to afternoon congestion, the departure from runway 03 provided sweeping views of Perth’s CBD, Swan River, and for those on the right, Fremantle and Rottnest Island.
The Scenic Flight: Chasing Cars Down the Forest Highway!
Leveling off at just 16,000 feet, the Fokker 100 made quick work of the journey. Below, the Forest Highway and southbound weekend traffic served as a visual reminder of the speed advantage, even on such a short hop.
The onboard service was surprisingly robust for the 33-minute sector: a roast beef and mustard mayo sandwich for every passenger, plus a full selection of cold beverages including wine and beer. The cabin crew moved efficiently, their service underscoring QantasLink’s full-service ethos even on a sub-200-kilometre route.
Qantas’ streaming IFE was available via personal devices, though with only 15 minutes at cruise, there was little time to use it. Most passengers opted instead to enjoy the views as the coastline and Lake Preston slid by, followed by the city of Bunbury and the sparkling expanse of Geographe Bay.
Arrival in Busselton: Small Airport, Big Welcome
The descent into Busselton Margaret River Airport was nothing short of spectacular, with the aircraft tracking over the bay before touching down smoothly. Outside, television crews captured the moment, and the apron buzzed with activity as passengers disembarked via stairs.
Busselton Airport, despite its interstate services, remains modest. The arrivals hall is compact, but it plays host to a growing roster of flights including Jetstar’s east-coast links and charter services to the Pilbara. The new QantasLink service joins a network that is steadily positioning Busselton as a genuine regional hub.
Inside, dignitaries delivered speeches highlighting the route’s potential. Local officials spoke of tourism opportunities, improved connectivity, and the symbolic importance of being part of Qantas’ regional network expansion. The figure of 31,000 expected annual seats between Perth and Busselton was mentioned more than once.
Tourism Impact: More Than Just a Short Flight
For Perth residents, the value of this route may seem limited. But for visitors connecting from interstate or overseas, it eliminates the need for a three-hour drive after a long flight. For the South West region, the benefits are potentially transformative.
The area is already renowned for its wineries, beaches, surfing, and the iconic Busselton Jetty — the longest timber jetty in the southern hemisphere at 1,841 metres. With QantasLink’s network feeding passengers from across Australia into Perth, this short hop could become a popular add-on to broader itineraries.
Some even speculate that success here could lay the groundwork for future international links to Bali or Singapore, further cementing Busselton’s place on the aviation map.
Final Thoughts: A Fitting Farewell Perhaps the Last Ever Fokker 100 Inaugural!
As the sun set over Geographe Bay later that day, the significance of QF1750 became clear. This was more than just a novelty flight. It was a celebration of regional aviation, of the communities it connects, and of an aircraft that has served Western Australia with distinction for more than three decades.
For aviation enthusiasts, it was a rare chance to combine a historic inaugural with the nostalgia of the Fokker 100. For Busselton, it was another step toward becoming a gateway to the South West for travellers from across Australia.
In the months and years ahead, the route’s success will depend on marketing, connections, and the willingness of travellers to embrace an alternative to the road. But for one winter’s afternoon in 2025, the Perth–Busselton service was the centre of WA’s aviation story — and it flew on the wings of a legend.
After a historic aviation adventure it was only fitting then to head down to Busselton’s iconic foreshore to witness another specular West Coast sunset over Busselton’s iconic Jetty and the following morning then presented mazing sunny, clear and calm winter conditions for a walking tour around this iconic destination!
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