The UK’s longest direct flight leaves passengers strapped to their plane seats for almost 17 hours. Qantas’ route from London Heathrow Airport to Perth, Australia has an average flight time of around 16 hours and 45 minutes.
The direct flight is still relatively new, only debuting as part of Qantas’ range back in the Spring of 2018. The original Kangaroo Route launched in 1947 had a hefty seven stopovers, including landmark destinations such as Darwin, Singapore and Cairo. This was reduced to two stops in 1971 after the introduction of the Boeing 747, with journeys taking around 24 hours in total.
At the launch of the direct route, former Qantas boss Alan Joyce said: “The response to the flight has been amazing, both for the attention it’s received since we announced it and the bookings we’ve seen coming in. It’s great for Australian tourism, for business travellers and for people visiting friends and family on both sides of the world.”
Passengers will sit aboard Qantas’ state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, packed with technology to make fights as smooth and enjoyable as possible. New tools installed onboard the plane will ensure a smooth flight by reducing turbulence and vibrations throughout.
Qantas also claims the 787 Dreamliner comes with improved noise quality, while electronic controls make it easy for passengers to regulate the amount of light coming through their windows.
Mr Joyce previously added: “This is hands-down the most comfortable aircraft that Qantas has ever put in the sky. Boeing designed the Dreamliner with features to reduce jetlag, turbulence and noise. We’ve taken that a step further with our cabin design, giving passengers more space in every class as well as bigger entertainment screens and more personal storage.”
The Western Australia state government is hoping the direct route will lead to an increase in tourism. However, a return trip can be costly, with Qantas listing Economy tickets for as much as £1,117 online.
Those opting for Premium Economy can expect to pay over $3,200, while Business tickets are even more at £5,600. First class seats are almost double, with Qantas listing bookings for as much as £10.267 before the end of the year.
