QantasLink has come up with a wild way to name itsr new A220s: Polling the public. Photo / Supplied; Joshua Hanson, Unsplash
Name that plane!
Australian airline Qantas has made a wild decision to allow the public to decide the name of its six new A220 aircraft, on order from Airbus.
The new planes have begun construction at Airbus’ aeronautical production plant in Mirabel, Canada and are expected to join the domestic QantasLink network from as early as next year.
The A220s will be replacing the older Boeing 717 services across Australia. However, the carrier says the planes could end up hopping the Tasman on international routes to New Zealand.
“With double the range of the 717, the A220 is also expected to open up new domestic and short-haul international routes as more aircraft enter the fleet,” said a press release from Qantas.
As the first aircraft of its kind on order from Airbus Canada, Qantas says it has begun training pilots and working to clear the aircraft for regulatory approvals at Australian airports. The switch to new aircraft is a big operation, and to mark the significance the airline has invited the public to name its new fleet of six A220s.
It hase asked travellers to submit up to six suggestions via qantas.com on the theme of Australian “native wildlife”.