QantasLink
479
Avg Route Distance (mi)3244
Longest Route (mi)1
Domestic Routes99
International RoutesAbout QantasLink
QLK: QantasLink – Australia's Regional Connector
QLK is the ICAO code for QantasLink, the comprehensive regional airline brand of Australia's flag carrier, Qantas. Founded in 2001, QantasLink was established to consolidate and manage the extensive regional domestic operations of the Qantas Group. The airline functions as a vital link, connecting metropolitan and regional hubs across Australia, and integrating smaller towns and cities into the broader Qantas network. Its headquarters are located in Mascot, New South Wales, Australia, with its base city being Adelaide. QantasLink operates primarily from Qantas domestic terminals in major Australian cities, including Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, and Perth, with Sydney and Brisbane airports serving as significant operational hubs.
QantasLink maintains a diverse fleet suited for regional operations, comprising aircraft from its wholly-owned subsidiaries—National Jet Systems, Network Aviation, and Sunstate Airlines—along with Embraer E190s wet-leased from Alliance Airlines. The fleet includes Embraer E190s, Fokker 100s, Airbus A220-300s, Airbus A320s, and De Havilland Canada Dash 8 aircraft (Q100, Q200, Q300, and Q400 series). Notably, older Boeing 717s were retired in late 2024, while new Airbus A220-300s are being introduced into the fleet between late 2023 and 2027. The airline operates an extensive network of over 2,000 flights each week to between 65 and 69 metropolitan, regional, and remote destinations across Australia. In addition to its domestic services, QantasLink also provides short-haul international flights to destinations such as the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, and East Timor. As an integral part of the Qantas Group, QantasLink is an affiliate member of the Oneworld airline alliance, offering passengers seamless connections and loyalty program benefits across the alliance's global network. The airline provides both Business and Economy cabin classes, with various configurations depending on the aircraft type. Services include complimentary meals or snacks and beverages on all flights, and web check-in options for passenger convenience.
Traveler Reviews
Recent traveler reviews indicate a generally positive sentiment towards QantasLink, with an average rating of 7.7 out of 10, which has shown an increasing trend over the past year. Customer service, in particular, receives high marks, rated at 4.3 out of 5.
What Travelers Love:
- Friendly and Helpful Cabin Crew: Passengers frequently praise the cabin crew for their pleasant, attentive, and helpful service.
- Cabin Comfort and Seat Pitch: Many travelers appreciate the comfort of the seats and good legroom, especially on newer aircraft like the Airbus A220-300 and some older Fokker 100s, with A220s being noted as more comfortable than Boeing 737s.
- Complimentary In-flight Offerings: The provision of free snacks, meals, and beverages, including beer and wine on some flights, is highly valued by passengers.
- On-time Performance & Efficiency: Many recent reviews highlight good punctuality and efficient service, including quick transfers during operational disruptions. Easy check-in processes are also noted as a positive.
Common Complaints:
- Limited Legroom on Some Aircraft: Some passengers report tight legroom, particularly on certain aircraft types such as the ex-Jetstar Airbus A320s.
- Inconsistent In-flight Entertainment: While entertainment is available, some aircraft lack seat-back screens, relying instead on Wi-Fi streamed to personal devices, which is sometimes rated below competing carriers.
- Noise Levels on Older Aircraft: Travelers occasionally complain about significant noise levels on older aircraft types, such as the Boeing 717, diminishing the comfort experience.
- Baggage and Airport Handling Issues: Some reviews mention issues with carry-on baggage size, checked luggage payment discrepancies, and the inconvenience of being bussed to and from aircraft at certain airports.
Overall, traveler sentiment toward QantasLink is generally positive, with a clear appreciation for its cabin crew and onboard service. While some aspects like seat comfort and entertainment can vary depending on the aircraft, the airline is largely seen as providing a good regional travel experience within Australia.
Safety Information
QantasLink operates under the rigorous safety and service standards established by its parent company, Qantas, which maintains a reputation for a strong safety record. Airline Ratings assesses QantasLink with a 7/7 safety rating.
Regarding recent safety incidents, an event occurred on February 25, 2025, where a QantasLink Dash-8 aircraft departing from Mildura Airport mistakenly aligned with runway edge lights during takeoff, striking seven lights over a 400-meter stretch. The pilots subsequently corrected course and proceeded to Melbourne, where only minor damage to the turboprop was discovered upon landing. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) initiated an investigation, and both pilots involved were stood down. Further scrutiny revealed one pilot tested positive for an unprescribed medication. This incident is not isolated, as the ATSB is also examining three similar "misaligned take-off incidents" at Perth Airport within the preceding year.
Other notable incidents include:
- An attempted hijacking of a QantasLink Boeing 717 operating Qantas Flight 1737 on May 29, 2003, en route from Melbourne to Launceston.
- An "unusual odour on board" a Qantaslink/National Jet Systems Boeing 717-200 flight from Canberra to Melbourne on October 26, 2023.
- A QantasLink flight (QF1972) from Adelaide to Canberra was forced to make an emergency landing and return to Adelaide on November 11, 2025, due to smoke detected in the cockpit and cabin shortly after takeoff.
While QantasLink adheres to Qantas' high safety standards, and regulatory bodies like ATSB and CASA oversee aviation safety in Australia, specific regulatory certifications like IOSA are not explicitly detailed for QantasLink in the provided information.
The QantasLink fleet, comprising 107 aircraft, has an average age of 19.1 years as of March 2025. Some of its oldest aircraft include Fokker 100s, with an average age of 31.7 years, and some De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200s and 300s. The oldest individual Fokker 100 in the Qantas Group fleet is 34.7 years old. The airline's maintenance reputation is tied to Qantas' established standards. The ongoing retirement of older aircraft, such as the Boeing 717, and the introduction of newer Airbus A220-300s and Embraer E190s, reflects an ongoing fleet modernization effort.
Based on available data, QantasLink maintains a strong overall safety assessment, operating within the robust framework of Australian aviation regulations and its parent company's high safety protocols. While recent incidents involving misaligned takeoffs and smoke in the cabin are under investigation, they are being addressed by authorities and the airline. There are no specific safety awards or recognitions for QantasLink identified in the provided information.
Route Network Map
Most Popular Routes
Top Destinations
Top Origin Airports
Top Border Crossing Flights
Airports Served by QantasLink 59
59 airports shown
Longest Routes
All Routes
137 Total Routes| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBR → SYD |
Sydney
Sydney
|
277 | 147 mi | DH8D | May 10, 2026 |
| TSV → CNS |
Cairns Int'l
Cairns
|
137 | 375 mi | A321 | Jun 17, 2026 |
| LST → MEL |
Melbourne Tullamarine
Melbourne
|
128 | 296 mi | DH8D | May 10, 2026 |
| CNS → TSV |
Townsville Int'l / RAAF
Townsville
|
104 | 177 mi | DH8D | Jun 23, 2026 |
| CBR → MEL |
Melbourne Tullamarine
Melbourne
|
89 | 292 mi | BCS3 | May 10, 2026 |
| SYD → CBR |
Canberra Int'l
Canberra
|
84 | 147 mi | DH8D | Jun 22, 2026 |
| CNS → WEI |
Weipa
Weipa
|
68 | 388 mi | DH8D | Jun 23, 2026 |
| TSV → MKY |
Mackay
Mackay
|
59 | 458 mi | DH8D | Jun 17, 2026 |
| ADL → WYA |
Whyalla
Whyalla
|
56 | 143 mi | DH8D | Jun 23, 2026 |
| ADL → PLO |
Port Lincoln
Port Lincoln
|
54 | 152 mi | DH8D | Jun 23, 2026 |
| MCY → SYD |
Sydney
Sydney
|
54 | 521 mi | BCS3 | Jun 23, 2026 |
| CNS → HID |
Horn Island
Horn Island
|
48 | 494 mi | DH8D | Jun 23, 2026 |
| PLO → ADL |
Adelaide Int'l
Adelaide
|
46 | 152 mi | DH8D | May 10, 2026 |
| DPO → MEL |
Melbourne Tullamarine
Melbourne
|
45 | 256 mi | DH8D | May 10, 2026 |
| MEL → CBR |
Canberra Int'l
Canberra
|
44 | 292 mi | DH8D | Jun 23, 2026 |
| HBA → MEL |
Melbourne Tullamarine
Melbourne
|
43 | 384 mi | BCS3 | May 10, 2026 |
| ABX → SYD |
Sydney
Sydney
|
41 | 280 mi | DH8D | May 10, 2026 |
| BNE → MEL |
Melbourne Tullamarine
Melbourne
|
40 | 859 mi | BCS3 | Jun 23, 2026 |
| TSV → ISA |
Mount Isa
Mount Isa
|
39 | 958 mi | DH8D | Jun 17, 2026 |
| CBR → BNE |
Brisbane
Brisbane
|
30 | 595 mi | BCS3 | May 8, 2026 |
| DBO → SYD |
Sydney
Sydney
|
28 | 192 mi | DH8D | May 10, 2026 |
| WYA → ADL |
Adelaide Int'l
Adelaide
|
27 | 143 mi | DH8D | May 10, 2026 |
| ADL → KGC |
Kingscote
Kingscote (Kangaroo Island)
|
26 | 78 mi | DH8D | Jun 23, 2026 |
| GLT → BNE |
Brisbane
Brisbane
|
25 | 270 mi | DH8D | May 10, 2026 |
| BNK → SYD |
Sydney
Sydney
|
24 | 381 mi | DH8D | May 10, 2026 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.
Last Update: Jun 23, 2026 00:01
Coverage: Observed routes only