On a stage at the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson declared: 'The tyranny of distance has finally been conquered.' She was in the French city last week to announce the world's first 20-plus hour flight route: non-stop from London to Sydney, set to take off from October 2027.
The airline first flew the Kangaroo route between London and Sydney in 1947, an odyssey spanning seven stops and four days. Those stops have been gradually reduced, with Qantas now stopping only once, in Singapore. But 80 years later, using specially designed ultra-long-haul Airbus planes, Qantas expects to shave about four hours off the current journey time, lasting around 22 hours.
“Qantas announces world's first non-stop London to Sydney flight, a 22-hour journey set to begin in October 2027.”
The breakthrough comes after a turbulent few years, and bosses are banking on customers embracing the premium but marathon flight. 'We feel really confident that this is going to be a success,' Hudson told the BBC.
Some analysts say it is a major milestone in aviation history. But is it really what people want? Qantas has overcome challenges: the flight saves money on landing fees by eliminating a stop, but Hudson admits the longer flight has a higher relative fuel bill. There are also fewer seats, nearly half of which (40%) will be premium economy, business, or first class.
To counter increased risks like deep vein thrombosis, Qantas has increased legroom in economy and created a dedicated 'wellness' space where passengers can follow stretching exercises on a screen.
Hudson points to the success of the Perth to London route, saying 'customers have been prepared to pay a premium' for that service. Australian travel agent Karis Heemskerk, who has taken that roughly 18-hour flight with her family, says being able to fly direct is 'amazing' and an efficient use of time. 'I think the direct flights cut time and there is no risk of missed connections and the stress of your luggage being lost,' she told the BBC. 'Cons are that it can be gruelling and it is a long time for some individuals to be confined to a cabin. [But] overall, I'm a big fan of the direct flights.'
However, some frequent fliers such as Tom Gill are less interested.