VH-X4A Airbus Canada A220-371

The original order for twenty aircraft was placed by Qantas Airways for operation by QantasLink - June 30, 2022

An additional nine airframes were added to the original order - June 16, 2023

These aircraft were to be built by Airbus Canada Limited Partnership at Montreal (Mirabel)

This airframe was the first to be delivered from the original order

It was observed at the Airbus Canada plant, Montreal (Mirabel) - November 14, 2023

Around 100 painters worked on the livery for some two weeks

It was based on the artwork of senior Pitjantjatjara artist Maringka Baker

It features over 20,000 dots, telling the 'Dreaming' story of two sisters who travelled across remote Australia together

to find their way home

The aircraft is named after the artwork: 'Minyma Hutjara Tjuhuapa' - The Two Sisters Creation Story

It was observed undergoing engine runs and taxi-checks as 'ABK353' - November 22, 2023

It was observed undergoing taxi and rejected take-off checks as 'ABK353' - November 27, 2023

First flown at Montreal (Mirabel - 15:28 CEST) - (Mirabel - 18:22) as 'C-FPGP' - November 30, 2023

Flight time: 2 hours 54 minutes

Test flown at Montreal (Mirabel - 15:08 CEST) - (Mirabel - 17:25) as 'AIB353' - December 01, 2023

Flight time: 2 hours 17 minutes

Test flown at Montreal (Mirabel - 12:28 CEST) - (Mirabel - 13:30) as 'AIB353' - December 05, 2023

Flight time: 1 hour 2 minutes

Test flown at Montreal (Mirabel - 10:32 CEST) - (Mirabel - 13:07) as 'AIB353' - December 10, 2023

Flight time: 2 hours 35 minutes

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-X4A - December 12, 2023

Registered to Qantas Airways Ltd, Sydney

Leased to National Jet Systems Pty Ltd, Adelaide, South Australia as the registered operator for QantasLink

Departed Montreal (Mirabel - 10:25 CEST) on the delivery flight to Australia as QJE6075 - December 16, 2023

It arrived Sydney (Kingsford Smith - 12:06 AEDT) on completion of the delivery flight - December 20, 2023

Delivery route: Montreal - Vancouver (night stop) - Honolulu (night stop) - Nadi (2 night stop) - Sydney

It has carried out 69 check / training flights on the eastern seaboard - December 21, 2023 - February 21, 2024

Departed Sydney (Kingsford Smith - 13:51 AEDT) on a special 'inaugural flight' to Ayres Rock (15:11 CAT) as Flight

QJE6215 - February 22, 2024

Flight time: 2 hours 50 minutes

Operated Flight QJE6216 Ayres Rock (17:33 CAT) - Melbourne (Tullamarine - 22:29 AEDT) - February 22, 2024

Flight time: 3 hours 27 minutes

Entered service Melbourne (Tullamarine - 12:33 AEDT) - Canberra (13:18 AEDT) as QF1268 - March 01, 2024

Operated the airline's inaugural 'Airbus A220' service from Melbourne (Tullamarine) - Coffs Harbour (18:38 AEDT)

as QF1298 - October 28, 2024

Current with QantasLink