Qantas’ makes a major change to its iconic aircraft appearance: Here’s your first look at the unique new look

Qantas has ditched the iconic flying red kangaroo design on its first A220 aircraft soon to hit the skies.

The new look QantasLink aircraft was unveiled in Canada on Wednesday, adorned with a blue and green Indigenous design. 

The plane which will initially fly between Melbourne and Canberra and is expected to join the fleet later this year.

The aircraft features the artwork of Pitjantjatjara artist Maringka Baker and has been named after the artwork, Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa – The Two Sisters Creation Story.

The planes use significantly less fuel, generate fewer emissions and are quieter than the older aircraft they replace. 

The aircraft is the first of 29 A220s that will gradually replace QantasLink’s Boeing 717s and has already been hailed a game changer for domestic travel.

‘These aircraft have the potential to change the way our customers travel across the country, with the ability to connect any two cities or towns in Australia,’ Qantas boss Vanessa Hudson said.

‘That means faster and more convenient travel for business trips and exciting new possibilities for holiday travel. A whole new fleet type also means a lot of opportunities for our people to operate and look after these aircraft.’

During its annual general meeting on November 4, Qantas disclosed that approximately $370,000 was allocated to backing the unsuccessful Yes campaign preceding the Voice to Parliament referendum. 

Qantas Chair Richard Goyder said that the airline’s management, under the guidance of former CEO Alan Joyce, proposed supporting the campaign, and the board subsequently endorsed the recommendation. 

‘The contribution we made was in kind and equal to about $370,000,’ he said.

‘We knew at the time that there would be a diverse set of views but we felt it was important that we continued to support what we had done for a long period of time in terms of Aboriginal reconciliation.

 In August, Mr Joyce revealed three aircraft adorned with the Yes23 campaign logo at Sydney Airport, accompanied by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.