TRIP REPORT – Brisbane to Emerald – Saturday 18 May – QantasLink (Sunstate Airlines) – QF2402 – Dash-8-Q400 – VH-QOJ.

TRIP REPORT – Brisbane to Emerald – Saturday 18 May – QantasLink (Sunstate Airlines) – QF2402 – Dash-8-Q400 – VH-QOJ.

After a lovely couple of days in Brisbane, it was time to head home to Emerald, but on the very early (before dawn) QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 service which is operated by Sunstate Airlines.

Nothing spectacular happened on this flight and experience - I arrived early and checked in using the self-service kiosks and bag-drop with any issues. Through security and into the QantasLink regional waiting area in the downstairs section of the Qantas terminal where Gates 1-4 are located. We were to board via Gate 2 which also meant a quick walk to the waiting aircraft which was parked near to the terminal.

It wasn't a very busy flight and we soon taxiied out and departed heading to the West. Snack service followed with coffee and tea provided soon after.

This was had pretty quickly and it was then time to settle back and watch the Central Queensland landscape pass by for the next hour or so. I was also able to pass the time reading the Qantas in-flight magazine which seem to be quite sparsely distributed around the seats!

Descent started and after overflying the massive Maraboon Dam, we landed at Emerald Airport. Quickly off the plane and into the small terminal where the bags came out soon after.

Overall, as mentioned, nothing spectacular with this flight, just the usual and reliable QantasLink service from start to finish!

Thanks for reading!

TRIP REPORT - Emerald to Brisbane - QantasLink (Alliance Airlines) - Embraer E-190 Jet - VH-UZF - Business Class

TRIP REPORT – Emerald to Brisbane – Wednesday 15 May – QantasLink (Alliance Airlines) – QF1799 – Embraer E-190 jet – VH-UZF – Business Class.

Back in the air!  It's been a few months since I've taken a flight but a photographic opportunity at the Women's State of Origin Rugby League in Brisbane got me flying down and back in the space of a few days.

I had managed to successfully bid and receive an upgrade to Business Class on this flight from Emerald to Brisbane which was operated by an Alliance Airlines Embraer E-190 jet for QantasLink.  This meant that check-in was a breeze at the Emerald Airport terminal and that I could then have access to the QantasLink Lounge which had snacks and drinks.

Pre-boarding was called and we needed to pass through security before heading to the gate area and then out to the plane.

The layout of the Alliance Airlines E-190 jet is mixed with VH-UZF I believe having 9 Business Class seats in a 1x2 configuration and 88 Economy Class seats in a 2x2 configuration.  I first noticed the seat to be very spacious but with a noticeable lean back which made feel as though I was reclined for the whole flight which was a bit uncomfortable – believe it or not!

A nice meal of beef pasta was provided plus drinks.

Soon after we were descending into Brisbane quite early and landed on the newer parallel runway.  Taxi was halted for around 15 minutes to wait for a gate.  Dang!

Off the plane and bags came out soon after and then off to pick up the hire car and off to the accommodation!

My first time sampling the Alliance Airlines-operated QantasLink product and yes it was great, albeit being seated in Business Class and receiving that level of meal and service.  Lovely flight attendants and speedy service and speedy flight but the delay in a Gate at Brisbane Airport opening up was a bit of a bummer.  I'm definitely looking forward to trying the E-190 again but most likely in the Economy Class section!

Thanks for reading!