IN BRIEF | Qantas will begin direct flights between Sydney and Bendigo through its regional arm QantasLink, resulting in hours of time saved for business travellers.
Starting March 31 2019, QantasLink will run six flights per week on the Sydney-Bendigo route, switching up to a daily service over the peak summer season from late 2019 to early 2020.
Travellers will make the two-hour journey on a Bombardier Dash 8 Q300 turboprop aircraft, with those 50-seat all-economy aircraft now being upgraded with new leather seat covers, "ergonomic seat cushioning", refreshed interiors and integrated tablet holders for the BYO video set.
Read more: QantasLink upgrades Q200, Q300, Q400 aircraft seating
"Direct flights will offer a more convenient way to do business in Sydney, saving travellers around four hours driving time on a round trip instead of flying via Melbourne," suggested QantasLink CEO John Gissing at today's launch of the route.
Qantas flight QF2197 leaves Sydney at 5.25pm, allowing passengers to put in a full day's work, and reaches Bendigo at 7.25pm.
The northbound QF2196 departs Bendigo at a bright-eyed 6.30am, arriving into Sydney at 8.20am.
QantasLink used Sydney's Terminal 3, affording frequent flyers access to the domestic Qantas Club and Qantas Business lounges, including 'on arrival' access to the business class lounge if they hold Platinum or Platinum One frequent flyer status.
Read more: Five useful Qantas 'lounge hacks' for the savvy traveller
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
10 Dec 2018
Total posts 2
Great news for Bendigo... now QantasLink should feel free to announce a similar service to Mildura. I fly the Sydney-Mildura route around six times per year, and in the past have flown via Melbourne to avoid Rex.. Rex have pulled the plug, so please give it a go Qantas.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
17 Aug 2017
Total posts 22
I’m a Bendigo resident this is great news!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2018
Total posts 16
Will Bendigo be the second site for pilot training?
23 Aug 2011
Total posts 69
Fantastic news. I travel to JNB and this means a quick drive to Bendigo instead of having to overnight in Mel. WOW.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Nov 2018
Total posts 104
Wow certainly didn’t see this one coming!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 372
Great news for Bendigo, I really hope this new service works for that community. On another note, although already serviced by Virgin Australia and Jetstar, I wouldn't be surprised if Qantaslink, with either a Q400 or Boeing 717 open up a Sydney-Launceston route in the near future.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Oct 2017
Total posts 1
Hey Qantaslink - how about reinstating some of the 'suspended' flights to existing Dash 8 regional destinations?? I'm still paying the 'pilot shortage' tax incurred due to the cut of one of the daily afternoon/evening services to DBO!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Dec 2016
Total posts 7
Bendigo has a plethora of tourist attractions for leisure bound passengers worth visiting including:
28 Nov 2012
Total posts 93
Good news for Bendigo, very fast rail to Melbs will be a while off.
04 Dec 2013
Total posts 154
Wonder how this will go with international connection traffic? Suspect those in the region would far prefer to start their journey with a flight from Bendigo rather than a drive or train/bus via Melbourne.
03 May 2013
Total posts 672
Great news but 2 hours on a Dash 8 doesn't sound fun at all.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1425
Joe QF does Canberra to Brisbane on weekends on a Dash 8 and 2 hours isn't too bad. More leg room than a 737.
03 May 2013
Total posts 672
And the noise, catering and lack of recline?....pass.
13 May 2015
Total posts 22
I love the way QantasLink schedule their regional flights to suit pax visiting the city. Early departures and evening returns are perfect.
15 Feb 2018
Total posts 43
Will use this service. I agree with Tori’s, is this to do with second pilot training facility.
17 Dec 2018
Total posts 1
I'm pretty excited about this initiative. Great for Bendigo! The trips North look like they're leaving at 8:55, not 6:20 as reported.
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