Qantas has retired its final B717 aircraft.

The final flight (QF1511) was on ‘Great Otway National Park’ (registration VH-YQS) between Sydney, Launceston and Canberra on October 26.

The 717s have flown for QantasLink and Jetstar for more than 20 years.

QantasLink is one of the last three commercial airlines in the world to operate the Boeing 717 aircraft, which were popular for their ability to deliver on high-frequency short to medium routes and serve smaller ports, while carrying around 100 passengers, tapping into a gap in the market for this size aircraft.

READ: QantasLink’s first brand new Airbus A220 aircraft unveiled

Following more than two decades of service in the Qantas Group, connecting Australian capital cities and regional hubs and supporting the resource sector in the West, the fleet of 20 QantasLink 717 aircraft are being replaced by 29 new Airbus A220s, as part of the Qantas Group’s fleet renewal program, which will reshape its domestic and regional network over the next decade and beyond.

With four A220s currently flying for QantasLink, the next A220 to arrive the ‘Tasmanian Devil’ and is scheduled to enter into service by the end of the year.

QantasLink Chief Executive Officer Rachel Yangoyan said the airline was proud to celebrate and recognise the 717’s history and contribution to aviation in Australia.

“Today marks a significant moment in Australian aviation with the 717’s iconic T-shaped tail taking passengers to Australian skies for the last time,” said Ms Yangoyan.

“The 717 aircraft have a long history in Qantas and Jetstar’s fleet. From being the aircraft that launched Jetstar’s first ever flights in 2004 to serving major cities, regional towns and the mining sector in the West as part of QantasLink for more than 20 years, we know our people and customers have loved flying on the 717″.

The 717 is a twin-engine jet first marketed by McDonnell Douglas in the early 1990s as the MD-95, until the company merged with Boeing in August 1997. It was affectionately known as Mad Dog due to its MD initials, its power and the noise made by its engines.