Qantas has confirmed its intention to operate non-stop flights from Perth to London using the 787-9 Dreamliner. The flights are scheduled to commence operation in March 2018. They will also represent the first flights to offer a regular non-stop passenger service between Australia and Europe.
With a flying time of 17 hours, it will become the longest non-stop flight in the Qantas network. Based on confirmed routes from competitors, it is expected to be the 3rd longest route among all airlines*.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners used on the route will carry 236 passengers across Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.
Perth Airport Changes
Qantas and Perth Airport have agreed to changes allowing Qantas to operate its international operations from its domestic terminals (T3/T4). This will require an upgrade of the exisiting terminal to allow for customs and border activities.
This was a key part of the negotiations, and designed to allow connections in Perth to be as seamless as possible In addition to the new flight, Qantas will move its current international operations (Perth – Singapore and Perth Auckland) to the Terminal 3/4 area.
It is expected that by the end of 2025 Qantas will move all its operations to an expanded Terminal 1. This is in line with the long term plan of the airport to consolidate its operations around the Terminal 1 area. In order to do this, a new domestic terminal and expanded international area will be required. This would be similar in concept to the Virgin Australia pier that operates next to the international terminal.
TIckets
According to Qantas, the Perth-London flights will go on sale in April 2017 for the first services in March 2018. There is no word at the moment regarding pricing, or whether Qantas will offer prices at a premium to the existing flights that stop-over in Dubai.
Qantas are expected to make revisions to other parts of their timetable to optimise the connections to the new service. There is also talk that the new flight will originate in Melbourne, offering a Melboure-Perth-London servce.
*Longest Announced Flights
Qatar’s Doha-Auckland flight, and Singapore Airlines Singapore-New York flights are expected to be the two longest flights