Comfort factor high in QantasLink upgrades

QANTASLINK customers in Cairns will soon get the chance to fly on the company’s upgraded turboprop.

The revamped Q300 turboprop was unveiled at QantasLink’s hangar facility at Tamworth Airport this week.

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 upgrade is part of a multimillion-dollar commitment to regional passengers.

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.

QantasLink chief executive John Gissing said the aircraft was significant to the network.

“We look forward to welcoming our regional travellers on-board our upgraded turboprop aircraft and offering them a better in-flight experience,” Mr Gissling said.

The investment in the turboprop upgrade program coincides with other regional initiatives, including the Qantas Group Pilot Academy expected to open in regional Australia in 2019.

The first Q300 to be upgraded was repainted with the airline’s updated Kangaroo logo and is named “Birdsville”.