[Update]
Qantas has announced that the Perth-Singapore service will go daily on a year round basis as from December 1st 2015. The additional services will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays, increasing the year round service from 5 per week to 7 per week.
Qantas had previously announced that the service would operate daily over the summer months, with seasonal services being added to the timetable. The latest announcement makes the additional service permanent.
[Previous]
There have been rumours circulating for several months, and now its official – Qantas is set to resume flights between Perth and Singapore. At this stage, the flights are set to be operated 5 days a week, beginning June 26.
The timetable sees Qantas departing Perth at midday, with an arrival into Sinagpore at 5;20 pm. The return journey departs Singapore at 6.25 arriving into Perth at 11:40pm.
Flight | Depart | Arrive | Days | Aircraft |
---|---|---|---|---|
Perth – Singapore (QF71) | 1200 | 1720 | Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | B737 |
Singapore – Perth (QF 72) | 1825 | 2340 | Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | B737 |
The service is set to be operated by a 737-800 aircraft, which is something of a downsizing of the Airbus A330 aircraft that had been operating the route prior to Qantas withdrawing from the route. The use of a 737 reflects the Qantas philosphy of using the right size aircraft on the right routes,
While Perth flyers may rejoice at the thought of Qantas resuming international services out of Perth, the 737-800 offers a somewhat less comfortable flying experience, especially in buisness class. For a five hour flight, the alternative operations of Singapore Airlines may still look like a better product to many.
Qantas ceased flying between Perth and Singapore in May 2014, leaving its subsidiary, Jetstar, to operate the service. SInce that time, the only international flights operated out of Perth have been seasonal services, which has included Perth-Singapore, and Perth Auckland.