At about the same time, its stablemate Jetstar announced a big transtasman expansion with new Hamilton-Christchurch and Brisbane-Queenstown flights.
Airbus said the A220’s overhead bins had the largest stowage capacity in their class.
Qantas said the narrow-body twinjets had a range of more than 6000km, almost double that of their Boeing 717 predecessors.
Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke said the A220 was a state-of-the-art aircraft.
QantasLink recently took delivery of its 11th A220, with four more expected to join the fleet by mid-year.
The aircraft are expected to open up new direct Australian domestic and short-haul international routes.
Qantas said the aircraft could seat 137 passengers, with 10 in business class and 127 in economy.
The new aircraft has a 2-2 seating configuration in business class, and a 3-2 layout on rows in economy. Photo / Qantas
The aircraft has two Pratt & Whitney PW1500 engines, is 38.7m long and has a cruising speed of Mach 0.82.
“This next-generation aircraft is significantly quieter and fuel efficient, giving travellers a more comfortable and sustainable way to fly,” Brisbane Airport chief executive Gert-Jan Graaff said today.
“For communities under flight paths, that means quieter arrivals and departures, bringing a noticeable reduction in the day-to-day impact of aircraft noise.”
Qantas said the A220 had the largest windows of any narrowbody aircraft, and fast, free Wi-Fi.
It will compete with Air New Zealand on the route between New Zealand’s capital and Brisbane.
The aircraft will fly up to three times a week between the two cities.
The flights take about four hours.
John Weekes is a business journalist covering aviation and courts. He has previously covered consumer affairs, crime, politics and courts.
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