Qantas to Invest in Cabin Upgrades and Newer Aircraft for Western Australia Travelers
- Joe Breitfeller
- Jan 18
- 2 min read
Qantas has announced that QantasLink has secured the initial three Embraer E190s to replace their aging Fokker 100 fleet. These upgrades will improve comfort and reliability for thousands of travelers across regional Western Australia.
On Sunday (January 18, 2026), Qantas announced that QantasLink has secured their first three Embraer E190s to replace their Fokker 100 fleet. This will improve comfort and reliability for thousands of residents across regional WA, as well as workers in Western Australia’s critical resources industry. QantasLink’s West Australian airline Network Aviation will begin fitting their fleet of 28 Airbus A320 and A319 aircraft with onboard Wi-Fi so customers can keep connected in the sky, while enjoying the latest hit movies and television shows on their own personal devices via the Qantas Entertainment App.
In Sunday’s announcement, QantasLink’s CEO, Mark Dal Pra, said,
“This multi-million-dollar investment reinforces our long-term commitment to serving the critical resources sector in Western Australia and connecting regional communities across the state. Not only will it significantly enhance the travel experience for our customers, it will also help us improve reliability and efficiency across our WA network. It also builds on Qantas’ commitment to developing Perth as its Western Hub, including recent investments in new training facilities, infrastructure upgrades at Perth Airport and the launch of domestic and international routes to destinations including Newcastle, Hobart, Johannesburg and Auckland.”
Additionally, the carrier’s A320s will be fitted with all-new seats equipped with USB A/C charging ports and portable device holders. The first refurbished aircraft is expected to enter into passenger revenue service later this year, with the full cabin and Wi-Fi program set to be completed in early 2027. The three mid-life Embraer E190s are expected to begin arriving by the end of the 2026, gradually replacing Network Aviation’s fleet of Fokker F100 aircraft. In total, the carrier will acquire up to 14 E190s, providing customers with greater reliability, improved fuel efficiency and more comfort. Network Aviation’s Fokker F100s will be gradually phased out as the airline receives A320s from Jetstar Asia and the addition of the E190s.
These fleet upgrades complement the Qantas Group’s broader fleet renewal program, which includes firm orders for over 200 new aircraft and cabin refurbishments of Qantas’ Boeing 737 and A330 aircraft, which will include new business and economy seats and larger overhead bins. Network Aviation is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Qantas Group based in Perth and provides high-capacity charter and regular passenger transport services to the resources sector and regional communities. The carrier operates over 600 weekly flights to more than 25 destinations across regional Western Australia and to Darwin, Newcastle, Hobart, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Network Aviation’s fleet currently includes a fleet of over 35 aircraft, including Fokker 100s, Airbus A319s and Airbus A320s.
Source: Qantas
