<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>335481</docID> <postdate>2024-12-17 12:58:14</postdate> <headline>Retired? The last of the 717s still flying the skies</headline> <body><p><img class=" wp-image-335484" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_1230-scaled-e1734400328215.jpg" alt="" width="950" height="633" /></p> <caption>The last of the Boeing 717 pictured at Canberra Airport on Monday. Photo: Scott Mayman</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By aviation writer <strong>Scott Mayman</strong></span></p> <p><strong>The last of QantasLink's Boeing 717 jets was retired in October, but it appears to have remained in service and was last spotted on Monday at Canberra Airport.</strong></p> <p>The Boeing 717 aircraft was being replaced by the newer Airbus A220 jets.</p> <p>The final flight was supposed be QF1511 from Sydney to Canberra on October 26, ending a 24-year career flying in and out of the national capital.</p> <p>All of the QantasLink Boeings have been flown to the US, except for this one.</p> <p>In early November, it was back in service, flying to Perth and working another three weeks in WA.</p> <p>The aircraft was then ferried back to Canberra to help out while there was some teething issues with the newer Airbus A220 jet.</p> <p>It's been flying between Sydney and Hobart, back to Canberra Airport and was used on services to Melbourne.</p> <p>The immediate fate of the faithful 717 jet isn't known.</p> </body>