Boeing 717 bowing out

[red750]

Qantas has retired Boeing 717 aircraft with the last flight today.

[Bosi72]

My first (and only) flight in B717 was Jetstar's inaugural flight Melbourne - Hobart - Melbourne for $35 in ~2003.

Had an opportunity to glimpse inside the cockpit and was impressed with glass screens, as I was expecting steam gauges 🙂

[red750]

[facthunter]

It was the stretched version of the Douglas DC9 that both TAA and Ansett flew. Boeing took over the Company. Been a good Aeroplane, popular with Pilots who could keep ahead of it and enjoyed it's manoeuvrability.  Endurance is only 3.5 hours to EMPTY in the earlier ones so you had to keep your wits about you.. A few  of the  "older piston drivers" didn't make the conversion.  18 Minute leg from Canberra to Sydney and down a breakfast each. (2 CREW). .Nev

[Deano747]

Remember when QF Link first started using them out of the Gold Coast.

In summer with a full pax load (high density all economy configuration), they couldn't take any baggage if they were going further than Brisbane.

Useful airplane ...........

[facthunter]

They've kept them a while so they must have done the job. We (TAA) used them DC-9-20's 98 pax, on longer routes than they were intended for. Perth Hedland Darwin, Cairns-Gove- Darwin Alice Springs Sydney, Townsville Sydney are some examples. Difficult when there's an alternate required. I recall flying through Cyclone KEN going Ph Hedland Darwin  at night.. Nev

[Deano747]

short runway, hot and early configuration was up around the 130 mark.

 

[Marty_d]

They've used them on the Hobart - Melbourne route for quite a while.

I liked them, the 2+3 seating layout meant you had half the chance of getting a middle seat. Plus they seemed a bit quieter than the 737's and A320's.

[facthunter]

I can't recall many incidents with them.  The 717 must have had engines with more thrust and carry more fuel..   Nev

[facthunter]

I have since been told the MD 87 is the best model. Nev