Review of Qantas flight Alice Springs → Cairns in Economy

Hello everyone and welcome back to my trip in Australia!

As it's been a while since the last report, here is the reminder of the routing:

SIN to MEL: 23/10/2014 QF36 A330-300 (can be found here: http://flight-report.com/en/report-8381.html )
MEL to AYQ: 24/10/2014 JQ664 A320 (right there: http://flight-report.com/en/report-8412.html)
ASP to CNS: 27/10/2014 QF1948 717-200 (here you are)
CNS to BNE: 01/11/2014 QF799 737-800
BNE to SIN: 01/11/2014 QF51 A330-300

After a few days in the outback, we were back to civilisation in Alice Springs. We slept for a night in town, before catching the afternoon flight to Cairns.
The flight in itself was nothing extraordinary, however something was: the aircraft.
It was a 717-200. Designed by Mcdonnell Douglas as the MD95, but when it merged with Boeing in 1997, it was renamed and marketed as the 717-200.
Not that many were produced: 156 in total, most of them are now being used in the US.

Alice Spring Airport is a small regional airport, though quite an enjoyably. There is volume, the whole building feels airy. No spotting though, as there is no jet bridge, there's no vantage point from which i could take pictures of the aircrafts on the tarmac.

Alice Springs Airport


Alice Springs Airport


There was a bit of a queue for baggage drop-off but the ground personnel was efficient so in less than 10 mins we were ready to go airside.

Qantas counter


ASP Terminal


On display right before security screening was a 1920 Rolls Royce, beautiful piece of history.

Rolls Royce on display


Rolls Royce on display


Rolls Royce on display


Travel documents


There was no queue at all at the screening, so we were out in no time.

Security screening


For a regional airport, the terminal wasn't bad at all: a souvenir boutique, a travel store and a café.

ASP Terminal Airside


The terminal's carpet follows traditional aboriginal schemes.

Gates


Gates


Our flight


As I said, no jet bridge, so we had the opportunity to walk to our plane. Because I live in Singapore, it's great to be able to do that. Never happened in Changi Airport yet!

Walking to the aircraft


Our bird


Nice aircraft


I then took my seat in 9A, window seat. Pitch was fair, at least better than in my previous Jetstar flight…

Pitch was alright


In under 10 mins, the plane was ready, and manual safety demonstrations were made.

Safety demonstrations


On taxi, we passed a few aircraft

Quite a few planes on standby, including 4 Tiger Australia A320s…


…and this Qantas 767


Take off roll was quick, and to my surprise extremely quiet. I guess that's the advantage of having the engines at the back.
As soon as we took off we made a left turn, meaning we could see the airport.

Aerial view of ASP


And then the magic of the Australian desert appeared while climbing. I'll let you enjoy the outback with a few pictures.

Australian Outback


When we arrived to cruise altitude the Captain came on PA, announcing an altitude of 33,000 ft, our speed, time and temperature in Cairns, as well as a 1:55 flight time.
On our booking, it was indicated that we would be served a snack. Well it looked more like a complete meal rather than a snack!
We were served pasta, some bread and a muffin. All were actually quite good.

Meal tray…


…with its content revealed


While we were having dinner, sunset was unveiling out the window.

What is better than having dinner watching sunset?


Some nice colours


After dinner, I had a go at the bathroom (nothing worth reporting), and had a look at the emergency exit at the back, which actually is located in the cone, which itself would separate in case of emergency.

Emergency exit


By the time I got back to my seat, we were already starting our descent to CNS.

Cabin while on descent


We touched down on time, and spotting was made impossible by the airport's light, which completely blinded my camera.
While everyone disembarked, I asked to get a tour in the cockpit, which I was gladly granted. Sadly no pictures, but what I can tell you is that it's quite tight in there, space for 2 pilots and that's it!

Our bird after the 1:55 flight


We then picked up our luggage at the conveyor belt, and took a taxi to our hotel in downtown Cairns.
Hope you enjoyed this report, next one will be the return flight to Singapore, with some interesting spotting in Brisbane!
Thank you for reading, and all comments are appreciated!