IN BRIEF | Qantas will begin direct flights between Sydney and Bendigo through its regional arm QantasLink, resulting in hours of time saved for business travellers.

Starting March 31 2019, QantasLink will run six flights per week on the Sydney-Bendigo route, switching up to a daily service over the peak summer season from late 2019 to early 2020.

Travellers will make the two-hour journey on a Bombardier Dash 8 Q300 turboprop aircraft, with those 50-seat all-economy aircraft now being upgraded with new leather seat covers, "ergonomic seat cushioning", refreshed interiors and integrated tablet holders for the BYO video set.

Read more: QantasLink upgrades Q200, Q300, Q400 aircraft seating

"Direct flights will offer a more convenient way to do business in Sydney, saving travellers around four hours driving time on a round trip instead of flying via Melbourne," suggested QantasLink CEO John Gissing at today's launch of the route.

Qantas flight QF2197 leaves Sydney at 5.25pm, allowing passengers to put in a full day's work, and reaches Bendigo at 7.25pm.

The northbound QF2196 departs Bendigo at a bright-eyed 6.30am, arriving into Sydney at 8.20am.

QantasLink used Sydney's Terminal 3, affording frequent flyers access to the domestic Qantas Club and Qantas Business lounges, including 'on arrival' access to the business class lounge if they hold Platinum or Platinum One frequent flyer status.

Read more: Five useful Qantas 'lounge hacks' for the savvy traveller