QantasLink Welcomes First Embraer E190 in Perth: Western Australia Fokker F100 Fleet Renewal Guide 2026

QantasLink has landed its first 100-seat Embraer E190 in Perth following a 20-hour ferry flight from the United Kingdom, initiating a comprehensive fleet modernization that will deploy up to 14 mid-life regional jets to replace aging Fokker F100s across Western Australia. Registered as VH-E9A and named "Exmouth," the aircraft introduces streaming Wi-Fi, USB power, and Qantas Economy Plus ahead of commercial service in January 2027.

Regional aviation across Australia’s vast western frontier has taken a generational leap forward. After nearly two decades of relying on the reliable but aging Fokker F100 workhorse, QantasLink’s regional subsidiary, Network Aviation, has officially welcomed the first modern replacement airframe at Perth Airport (PER).

The arrival marks the opening phase of a multi-million-dollar fleet transformation designed to elevate reliability, enhance in-flight connectivity, and cut carbon emissions on routes connecting Perth with remote resource sector sites and outback coastal communities across Western Australia.

The Local Trend Revealed: Upgrading the Outback Air Bridge

The inaugural aircraft, registered as VH-E9A, completed an exhaustive delivery odyssey spanning approximately 20 hours of flying time from Norwich in the United Kingdom. Its multi-leg transit journey crossed continents with technical stops in Bulgaria, Tajikistan, India, and Malaysia, followed by an Australian entry stop in Broome before touching down at Perth Airport.

The aircraft is the first of up to 14 mid-life Embraer E190s slated to progressively retire QantasLink’s Fokker F100 fleet. Prior to welcoming commercial passengers in January 2027, each E190 will undergo an extensive cabin retrofit in Australia to match Qantas mainline interior standards.

Key fleet specifications and passenger improvements include:

Aircraft Metric / Feature	Embraer E190 Specification	Passenger Experience & Operating Impact
Fleet Registration & Name	VH-E9A, named "Exmouth"	Continuing tradition of naming regional aircraft after WA destinations
Seating Capacity	100 seats in 2-2 configuration	Elimination of middle seats for superior passenger comfort
New Travel Class	Qantas Economy Plus	Extra legroom, priority boarding, and dedicated overhead bin space
In-Flight Connectivity	High-speed Wi-Fi installed	Free streaming via personal devices on the Qantas Entertainment App
Power Architecture	USB-A and USB-C at every seat	Integrated device holders and adjustable ergonomic headrests
Planned Fleet Size	Up to 14 mid-life E190s	Complete phased phase-out of legacy Fokker F100 regional jets
Commercial Entry	January 2027	Intensive crew proving flights through late 2026

In tandem with the E190 rollout, QantasLink is modernizing 19 Perth-based Airbus A320 aircraft with high-speed Wi-Fi, new slimline seats, and refreshed cabin aesthetics, with the first upgraded A320 scheduled for completion by the end of October 2026.

Replacing the Fokker F100: A Two-Decade Legacy

The transition closes a storied chapter in Western Australian aviation history. The first Fokker F100 joined Network Aviation’s fleet in 2008, three years before the carrier was fully acquired by the Qantas Group in 2011.

Today, the F100 fleet operates roughly 120 scheduled passenger and resource charter flights each week, linking more than 25 regional destinations—ranging from iron ore mining hubs in the Pilbara to coastal tourism gateways. Over almost two decades, each aircraft was christened after a Western Australian town, cementing deep ties with regional communities.

Trevor Worgan, Chief Operating Officer and Regional General Manager of Network Aviation Australia, underscored the significance of the renewal: "The arrival of our first E190 marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. For almost 20 years, the F100 has played a vital role connecting regional Western Australia and supporting the resources sector, and now we’re investing in the next generation of aircraft to serve our customers and communities for decades to come."

Worgan added: "These aircraft represent a step change in the customer experience for the more than three million journeys expected to benefit each year, with more comfortable seating, onboard Wi-Fi, USB charging and the introduction of Qantas Economy Plus. They’re also quieter, more fuel efficient and can fly further than the F100, opening up new opportunities for our customers."

Cultural & Environmental Value: Quieter Engines and Local Workforce Training

For the visitor, the real impact is a dramatically quieter, smoother ride across turbulent inland thermal currents, combined with a significant reduction in regional carbon intensity. The twin-engine Embraer E190 delivers double-digit fuel efficiency improvements over older Rolls-Royce Tay engines powering the Fokker F100, directly curtailing greenhouse gas emissions over sensitive marine reserves like Ningaloo Reef and arid red-earth conservation parks.

The fleet transition also serves as a major economic catalyst for the Western Australian aviation workforce. Approximately 70 pilots, cabin crew, and aircraft maintenance engineers will complete a combined 18,000 hours of specialized conversion training by the end of 2026. Over the life of the program, more than 600 aviation professionals based in Perth will receive advanced E190 systems training, keeping specialized aerospace engineering skills firmly rooted within Western Australia.

Visitor Insider Tips: Traveling Regional Western Australia

Travelers planning flights on QantasLink out of Perth Airport should keep these practical field recommendations in mind:

1. Gateway to Ningaloo at Learmonth (Exmouth): Flying to the aircraft's namesake town, Exmouth, involves booking flights to Learmonth Airport (LEA). Located 36 kilometers south of town, Learmonth serves as the premier gateway to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park. Visit between late March and July to snorkel alongside gentle whale sharks, or from August to October for humpback whale migrations.
2. Perth Airport Terminal Architecture: QantasLink domestic and regional services operate exclusively from Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 on the western perimeter of Perth Airport. If connecting from international arrivals at Terminal 1, utilize the complimentary 24-hour terminal transfer shuttle, allowing at least 20 minutes for the inter-terminal transit.
3. Navigate FIFO Flight Rhythms: Regional WA flights experience heavy Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO) resource traffic. To secure lower airfares and quieter cabins, avoid booking outbound departures on early Monday mornings (05:00 to 07:30) and inbound returns on Friday afternoons, when mining shift turnovers fill aircraft capacity. Mid-week and Saturday flights offer superior availability.
4. Pack Soft-Sided Luggage for Regional Racks: While the E190 features larger overhead bins than the Fokker F100, regional turboprop and regional jet sectors enforce strict carry-on weight limits (typically 7kg). Pack durable, soft-sided duffel bags that compress easily into overhead bins or beneath seats.
5. Savor Local West Coast Flavors: In transit at Perth Airport Terminal 4, sample premium Western Australian produce. Enjoy freshly caught Exmouth king prawns, grilled Geraldton rock lobster sliders, and award-winning Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon at airport hospitality venues before boarding your outback flight.

Tourism Outlook: Unlocking Remote Regional Wonders

The arrival of VH-E9A "Exmouth" signals a revitalized era for regional tourism across Western Australia. By pairing extended flight range with enhanced passenger comfort, high-speed Wi-Fi, and improved operational dispatch reliability, the Embraer E190 enables more than three million travelers each year to explore remote outback frontiers with confidence.

As QantasLink continues phasing in all 14 Embraer jets alongside its upgraded A320 fleet, Western Australia’s regional air corridors are poised to deliver world-class connectivity—bringing travelers closer to the awe-inspiring wildlife, ancient gorges, and pristine coastlines of Australia's golden west.

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