Qantaslink QF1604 Perth To Darwin
Flight Details:
Airlines: QantasLink
Flight: QF1604 PER - DRW
Reg: VH-UVQ
Aircraft: Airbus A320-200
Class: Economy
Departure Perth Terminal 4: 11.45am
Arrival Darwin International: 4.50pm
Flight time: 3 hours 10 mins
Distance: 2646 km or 1429 miles
VIDEO: QantasLink QF1604 Perth to Darwin
Introduction
This trip report is from Dec 2022. This trip report is the continuation of "Great Aussie Fly" series. I had flown to Perth few days ago, read trip report: Qantas QF9 Melbourne To Perth.
I had rented a car and drove to Albany, Esperance, Norseman and Kalgoorlie - Boulder and returned back to Perth. Driving videos will be available after few months as I haven't edited the files.
If you enjoy long drive, check Youtube channel: @Roadcamz
See map below.
Flight routing
- 1
- 2
- 3QF1604 - Economy - Perth - Darwin - Airbus A320-200
- 4QF1960 - Business - Darwin - Alice Springs - Embraer E19L
- 5QF791 - Economy - Alice Springs - Sydney - Boeing 737-800
Pre-Departure
After returning, I stayed close to airport. Two days before departure, received notification to check-in.
I was able to check-in online but was unable to generate boarding pass. I found later that the flight was flown by Qantas subsidiary -Qantaslink - Network Aviation.
Pre-departure information
Carry-on details
Qantaslink Airbus A320-200 seating
Arriving at Airport
As I had return car back, left early to fill fuel. Drove to airport early and returned the car key. As I had pre-paid the rental car, I left key in the box and walked towards the terminal. As I was flying with Qantas group, drove to Terminal 3/4. Virgin Australia, Alliance and all international flights depart from Terminal 1 and 2 which is located on the other side of the runway. It also has rental return car parking. I was informed to drop car at Terminal 3 car park at the time of pickup.
Check-In
I entered through Terminal 3 and tried to check-in through the self-check kiosk. My details were not showing. Check-in counters were unmanned.
I asked the security and was informed to head towards Terminal 4 , where domestic check-in counters are located. Both Terminal 3 and 4 are interconnected.
As I was early, I waited for the check-in counter to open.
While seated in front of the arrivals area, view of the flight schedule.
As there were interstate flight, sniffer dogs used in arrivals to detect unreported food. Noticed few people pulled aside for checking.
Check-in
Check-in was open for the flight. I went to the self-check kiosk but the system was unable to recognise my details. I checked with ground staff, who checked my id and then printed the boarding pass, receipt and baggage tag.
Dropped my check-in bag, which was weighed.
I checked the boarding information - Gate 17C in Terminal 3 would be used for Darwin flight.
Security
Security queue was long and took about 20 mins to clear.
Departure AREA
After completing security, walked up the stairs to the departure area. Walking towards the gate.
Boarding
By the time, I reached boarding gate. Boarding for the flight had commenced.
Boarding gate 17C is towards the left.
Boarding pass was self-scanned and then allowed to walk through the corridor towards the aircraft.
View of the QantasLink Fokker 100 and Terminal 1 and 2 in the background.
Qantaslink Airbus A320-200 VH-UVQ operating QF1604 Perth to Darwin
Closeup view of the aircraft
On Board
On reaching the aircraft door, cabin crew checked the boarding pass and directed passengers. This aircraft had all economy seating. Single aisle 3-3 leather seats.
Settled in seat, noticed aircraft was 50 percent full. I did not have a neighbour nor the opposite side.
Window view and noticed the Qantas Airbus A330-200 is VH-EBJ "Margaret River" which I had travelled on from Sydney to Melbourne few days ago, Read report here: Qantas QF427 Sydney to Melbourne
Boarding in progress.
Boarding almost complete.
Crew made announcement to welcome passengers.
Pushback and TAxi
Captain announced pushback would commence shortly, doors were closed. Safety demonstration was conducted manually.
Pushback commenced on time, Pilot had informed that due to tailwind, arrival time would be 4.40pm.Slightly ahead of schedule.
Doors closed.
Pushback to commence.
View of Safety card and individual airvents on the Airbus A320-200.
After pushback, aircraft had a long taxi to runway 21.
Aircraft following was Airbus A330 to Melbourne.
Aircraft did not hold for long upon reaching the runway, engines roared and gained speed. Up in the sky within few seconds.
View of Terminal 3 and Perth skyline in the background.
View of Terminal 4
Regional airline terminal
View of Swan river after departure
Perth is known for mines, view after departure heading West.
More mines
Seat Pocket Material
Checked the seat pocket and got inflight magazine, air sickness bag and safety card
Reverse
Qantaslink Airbus A320-200 safety card
Qantas inflight magazine
Printed boarding pass
Baggage receipt
Cabin view
Got up to stretch and use the toilet, which was clean.
Cabin view of Airbus A320-200
Bright day and hot, had to keep the window shades down.
Cabin Service
Cabin service commenced after an hour, choice of meal was chicken or beef .
I chose the chicken salad and received water bottle.
Crew checked if I would like drink. I chose beer.
Wooden cutlery
Chicken was dry but the rest of the salad was ok.
Crew checked if passengers would like more drinks. Some had second serve of beer.
Reminded me of the good old times and the Australia that is disappearing from the East coast.
Qantas logo with safety card
Qantas route map.
World map
In about 2 hrs of flying crossed over to Northern Territory and the landscape changed below.
Crew distributed cookies
Another 35 minutes to arrival.
Landing in Darwin
Announcement was made, descend would commence soon. Crew cleared the cabin of rubbish and conducted safety check.
Landing gears came out.
Landed smoothly
View of Terminal as a Virgin Australia aircraft holds
Braking to slow down.
Exiting the runway
Heading towards the gate.
Airbus A320 waiting for Virgin to depart
Almost reached the gate.
View of QantasLink Embraer ERJ-190AR VH-UZI
Upon reaching the gate, disembarkation was orderly. with those seated in front exit first.
Thanked crew and disembarked the aircraft.
QantasLink VH-UVQ
Walking towards the exit.
I had arrived early and the bags were not loaded. I noticed the car rental counter was next to the baggage claim. I went to the counter and got the car key and they bags had started to arrive. Got mine withing few minutes.
Exit Terminal
Exited the terminal and walk towards the rental car parking which is to the left. I had received a swipe card to exit the car park. Loaded the bags and drove to hotel.
By the time I reached the hotel, i was past 5.30 pm as the time zone changes to Central time. Street view from balcony.
Flight Information
Checked the flight information after reaching hotel.
Flight details
Aircraft rotation
I hope you enjoyed reading this trip report.
Thanks for reading the report and watching the video.
:)
Hello Koresh!
What an amazing flight!
Those seats look very cozy!
Boolgeeda!! I have an aunt in Boolgeeda. She likes wearing dresses, but she doesn't like wearing skirts. She likes playing chess, but she doesn't like playing cards. She likes sheep, but she doesn't like cows. She likes doors, but she doesn't like windows. Can you tell me why??
Choice of... meal?? In domestic economy??? What kind of sorcery is this???
I fainted
They used to cover the route to SCL with a 747. It was my last chance to fly on an 747... until it was retired. They use a 787 now.
Outstanding domestic service! Never imagined such a thing was possible in Y! However, why you weren't able to get your boarding pass is beyond me. Shouldn't they provide you with a link or something to the effect?
Thanks for sharing this interesting route, Koresh!
Regarding the boarding pass, I assume that this flight operated by subsidiary. They may want to check the ID before issuing the boarding pass.
Thanks for your comment. ?
Cool to see a report on the QantasLink all-Y A320s as there aren't that many out there. It's interesting that QF run this 1-cabin equipment on the PER-DRW route. I would think there'd be enough premium demand to justify a 2-cabin a/c between the capitals of WA and NT--perhaps not. I see that they have 2-cabin 738s running on some days and the 1-cabin A320s on some.
Despite the tight Y180 configuration, the legroom doesn't seem to be too bad and the cabin looks nice and clean. It's also nice to have a fresh meal for free on a domestic flight! Flying domestic within Australia is a much more pleasant experience than domestic flying in the US, that's for sure!
Thanks for sharing
QantasLink all economy Airbus are ex-Jetstar aircrafts, competing with Virgin Australia. The Boeing 737 services operate with 2 class cabins probably early morning ones catering to Business travellers. This being a mid-day flight probably caters to FIFO market.
Domestic flights are pleasant to fly. This was my first trip from the West Coast, I had a good experience.
Thanks for your comment.
Well, here comes the explanation to my question about "my aunt from Boolgeeda." ?
It's actually a riddle I use with my students to practice the structure of affirmative and negative sentences in the third person singular in English, with that problematic S in the affirmative: She likes..., She doesn't like, She wears..., She doesn't wear..., etc. The actual name of this game is "My aunt from Woollamalloo," though, but I remembered the riddle when I saw the name Boolgeeda.
So, my aunt from Boolgeeda likes dreSSes, cheSS, shEEp and dOOrs, but not skirts, cards, cows or windows. Why?
The key is in the name of her town! bOOlgEEda !!!!
Get it?
Well, someone is not getting a golden star today. Mwahahahahh. ???