The VH-X4A is the first of 29 Airbus A220-300s to be delivered to Australia. The aircraft will in future be operated under the Qantas Link brand and is the start of the replacement of the aging Boeing 717 fleet.

People down under are actually very happy with the Boeing 717 (original project name: McDonnell Douglas MD-95), which was still developed by McDonnell Douglas, but the model consumes significantly more fuel in direct comparison with current models such as the Airbus A200. There is no replacement for the 717 at Boeing because production stopped long ago and the DC-9/MD-80 series was no longer developed further. So a discontinued model.

After a lengthy evaluation, Qantas has decided to initially purchase 717 Airbus A29s to replace the increasingly outdated B220s. The first unit has now been delivered and it is drawing attention with its spectacular special livery. Even before the takeover, it had already traveled around the world. The event is also important for Airbus Canada because it is the first time they have an operator on the continent of Australia.

Qantas has chosen to celebrate Australia's Aboriginal cultural heritage with a design by Pitjantjatjara artist Maringka Baker. An intricate pattern of 20.000 dots depicts the story of two sisters who travel back to their homeland across the vastness of Australia. 

The said Airbus A220-300 arrived in Sydney on December 16, 2023. The machine was transferred to the metropolis from Montreal (Mirabel) via Vancouver, Honolulu and Nadi. According to Qantas, the VH-X4A will soon enter active service on the Melbourne-Canberra route.