Onboard entertainment is the biggest disappointment on this new QantasLink route

After years of planning and negotiation, direct flights from Newcastle to Perth are now a reality, reflecting the ambitious plans of Newcastle Airport, which recently underwent a $250 million upgrade. I was aboard one of the first flights on the QantasLink Airbus A319, which operates on Fridays, Sundays and Mondays.

CHECKING IN: A colourful mix of FIFO workers, holidaymakers and Novocastrians keen to explore the west were on hand when I arrived at the Qantas check-in counter at Newcastle Airport. Thankfully, the process of having my bag checked in - luggage allowance is 23 kilograms - was done in five minutes and it was a similarly easy experience passing through security. While not luxurious, the departure area has everything you need - work spaces, charging ports, comfortable seats and an array of food and beverage retailers.

THE FLIGHT: Our five-hour flight is scheduled to take off at 2.20pm but is delayed by 30 minutes due to a mechanical problem. We initially head directly out over Stockton Bight before veering south. After hugging the coast down to Victoria, the plane heads west and out over the Great Australian Bight. From Albany, we track up the West Australian coastline towards Perth. From my window seat I'm able to take in the shifting land and seascapes. All up, with the captain able to make up 15 minutes, it's a four-hour-45-minute flight and we arrive at 5.50pm local time.

THE CLASS: The Airbus A319 is the workhorse of the QantasLink fleet and has traditionally been used for regional routes. Its 150 passengers are arranged in a three by three formation. All seats are economy and recline about 15 degrees. The leg room is sufficient but not generous, particularly if you are over 180cm tall. Bathrooms are at the front and back of the cabin, and get a good workout on this flight. The aircraft feels small for such a long flight. Time will tell if Qantas upgrades to the larger Airbus A321XLR, which is used for flights from Sydney and Brisbane to Perth.

FOOD AND DRINKS: Beef stroganoff is served for lunch about an hour after departure. There is a vegan option, too, for those who have booked ahead. Tea, coffee and a variety of beverages are also available. Kit-Kats are handed out about 90 minutes after lunch.

ENTERTAINMENT: For one of the longest domestic flights in Australia, it's worth knowing that there are no chargers, USB ports or screens on the Airbus A319. The Qantas entertainment app, which links to an impressive library of movies, TV shows and books, is available to connect to your carry-on device. On the downside, the app drops out when it loses its land-based signal. This is particularly annoying because a large part of the flight is over the Great Australian Bight. I am not the only one who queries the flight attendants about this issue. Qantas has since announced plans to upgrade the onboard Wi-Fi on its 28 A320 and A319 aircraft, a program set to be completed in early 2027.