Qantas to launch direct flight between London and Perth, Western Australia

14. Dec 2016

by BusinessClass

Qantas has announced it will launch the first non-stop flights between Perth and London, operated by the 787-9 Dreamliner.

When it launches in March 2018, the 14,498 kilometre flight will be the first passenger service to directly link Australia with Europe, becoming the shortest and fastest version of the Kangaroo Route in its 70 year history.

Qantas’ CEO, Alan Joyce, said the history-making route, the third-longest passenger flight in the world, would be a gamechanger, “flown by a game-changing aircraft.”

When Qantas created the Kangaroo Route to London in 1947, it took four days and nine stops. The new route between London and Western Australia is set to take 17 hours non-stop.

“It’s great news for travellers,” said Joyce, “It will make it easier to get to London. It’s great news for Western Australia because it will bring jobs and tourism. And it’s great news for the nation, because it will bring us closer to one of our biggest trade partners and sources of visitors.”

Mr Joyce also commented on the aircraft which is to be deployed, saying comfort on the long-haul flight was a key consideration. “When we designed the interior of our 787s, we wanted to make sure passengers would be comfortable on the extended missions the aircraft was capable of.

“That’s why we have features in our Economy seats that other airlines reserve for Premium Economy. Our Business Suite has been nicknamed ‘mini First class’ by many of our frequent flyers. And we’re redesigning our on-board service to help reduce jetlag.”