QantasLink’s first upgraded turboprop aircraft took to the skies with a refreshed cabin and greater comfort for the airline’s regional customers.
The upgraded Q300 turboprop was unveiled on June 26, at QantasLink’s hangar facility at Tamworth Airport, the airline’s hub for regional aircraft maintenance. The program to upgrade the fleet of 45 Bombardier Q200, Q300 and Q400 aircraft is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.
The fleet upgrade is part of a multi-million dollar commitment to providing regional passengers with a better overall travel experience.
The improved turboprop experience includes new ergonomic seat cushioning, leather upholstery, tablet device holders, a refreshed colour palette of greys and charcoals and new floor coverings.
Each turboprop aircraft takes around 10 days to upgrade, with up to 13 engineers and project support staff working on each aircraft. The work is timed to coincide with scheduled maintenance and closely aligns the turboprop interiors with those in the QantasLink jet fleet.