The new Airbus A220 will start its first international flights for Qantas today, operating a regular Wellington-Brisbane service.

It touched down in New Zealand at 3.15pm and was sprayed with plumes of water for a ceremonial “water salute”.

Qantas said the single-aisle A220-300 was half as noisy and used 25% less fuel than comparable previous generation aircraft.

Associate Minister of Transport James Meager said the airline using the A220 on the Wellington–Brisbane route was a strong vote of confidence in New Zealand and its aviation sector.

“Investments like this help keep our country competitive, well connected, and open for new opportunities.”

Qantas last September announced it would use A220s on the route.

Quieter and more fuel-efficient than comparable earlier models, the A220 also has a different economy seating configuration from many other airliners. Photo / John Weekes

At about the same time, its stablemate Jetstar announced a big transtasman expansion with new Hamilton-Christchurch and Brisbane-Queenstown flights.

Airbus said the A220’s overhead bins had the largest stowage capacity in their class.

Qantas said the narrow-body twinjets had a range of more than 6000km, almost double that of their Boeing 717 predecessors.

Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke said the A220 was a state-of-the-art aircraft.

QantasLink recently took delivery of its 11th A220, with four more expected to join the fleet by mid-year.

The aircraft are expected to open up new direct Australian domestic and short-haul international routes.

Qantas said the aircraft could seat 137 passengers, with 10 in business class and 127 in economy.

The new aircraft has a 2-2 seating configuration in business class, and a 3-2 layout on rows in economy. Photo / Qantas

The aircraft has two Pratt & Whitney PW1500 engines, is 38.7m long and has a cruising speed of Mach 0.82.

“This next-generation aircraft is significantly quieter and fuel efficient, giving travellers a more comfortable and sustainable way to fly,” Brisbane Airport chief executive Gert-Jan Graaff said today.

“For communities under flight paths, that means quieter arrivals and departures, bringing a noticeable reduction in the day-to-day impact of aircraft noise.”

Qantas said the A220 had the largest windows of any narrowbody aircraft, and fast, free Wi-Fi.

It will compete with Air New Zealand on the route between New Zealand’s capital and Brisbane.

The aircraft will fly up to three times a week between the two cities.

The flights take about three-and-a-half to four hours.

The Brisbane flight, QF282, is expected to arrive in Wellington at about 3.20pm.

John Weekes is a business journalist covering aviation and courts. He has previously covered consumer affairs, crime, politics and courts.