Virgin Australia 100

The Fokker 100 is operated by Virgin Australia Regional (formerly Skywest) on Western Australian FIFO and mining routes. It carries 100 passengers in an all-economy 2-3 layout with rear-mounted engines. The aircraft connects Perth to resource towns like Karratha, Newman, and Kalgoorlie, serving the FIFO workforce that drives WA's mining economy. The Fokker 100 is being progressively replaced by Embraer E190-E2 jets, but it remains in service on several routes.

Row 1 window seats offer extra legroom -- the bulkhead position gives you more space to stretch. Front rows (1-5) are the quietest section thanks to the rear-mounted engines, and they deplane first. On the left side of the cabin (2-seat section), every seat is either window or aisle, making columns A and B preferable to the 3-seat right side where column C is a middle seat.

The last two rows have limited recline (seat backs can't go back fully due to the rear bulkhead) and are right next to the lavatory -- expect door noise and queues. Rows 20-25 near the rear-mounted engines are the noisiest section of the aircraft. The middle seat (column C) in the 2-3 layout on the right side is the worst seat on this aircraft. If you can choose between the Fokker 100 and the new E190-E2 on the same route, pick the E190-E2 every time -- the 2-2 layout with no middle seats is a significant comfort upgrade.