A Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner made its first non-stop flight between Perth and London in on Saturday, March 24. The historic journey for the Australian airline is the first to connect the two continents of Australia and Europe directly, and is one of the longest commercial flights in the world.
The inaugural flight carried more than 200 passengers and 16 crew members, and took around 17 hours and 20 minutes to complete.
The flight touched down in London at 5:05 a.m. on Sunday, March 25, and covered a distance of approximately 14,484km (9,000 miles), reported 7News.
After 17 hour maiden flight, @Qantas #QF9 just landed at @HeathrowAirport https://t.co/6jgc4tO4FR pic.twitter.com/QG2tQf5LKH
— AIRLIVE (@airlivenet) March 25, 2018
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce, who was on the inaugural flight, described it as a major milestone for Australia as well as global aviation, according to a statement released on March 24.
“This is a truly historic flight that opens up a new era of travel. For the first time, Australia and Europe have a direct air link,” Joyce said.
“The original Kangaroo Route from Australia to London was named for the seven stops it made over four days back in 1947. Now we can do it in a single leap.
“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.”
In an historic aviation first @Qantas has safely flown from Australia to the UK, non stop, for the first time. Which is good news, because I’m on the return flight later today. 230 years after the First Fleet did the trip in 250-ish days, we’ll do it in 17 hours. #QF9 #QF10 pic.twitter.com/FX9d2TuhJZ
— Shannon Deery (@s_deery) March 25, 2018
Joyce said a lot of work had gone into creating an experience that would help passengers cope with a 17-hour flight.
Economy passenger Wayne Kwong documented his flight and shared his experience on social media.
That magical step #QF9 @Qantas pic.twitter.com/fArYmhz8nt
— Wayne Kwong (@waynewykwong) March 25, 2018
My seat #QF9 @Qantas pic.twitter.com/n1isjj3yHQ
— Wayne Kwong (@waynewykwong) March 25, 2018
Specially designed meals for this ultra longhaul flight. Tasty, filling but not heavy on your stomach! Well done @Qantas #QF9 pic.twitter.com/Uk9jI5njXM
— Wayne Kwong (@waynewykwong) March 25, 2018
Economy class amenity bag for this flight. A thoughful touch #QF9 @Qantas pic.twitter.com/02JEywT4Ra
— Wayne Kwong (@waynewykwong) March 25, 2018
Self Serve pantry by rear galley. A very popular inflight meeting place for all! #QF9 @Qantas pic.twitter.com/wNZg8PhAs9
— Wayne Kwong (@waynewykwong) March 25, 2018
I chose this light breakfast. Really good to be given this choice on this long flight #QF9 @Qantas ! There was also a midflight hot snack, which I did not have. pic.twitter.com/hu6m6NEZGJ
— Wayne Kwong (@waynewykwong) March 25, 2018
Kwong complimented different aspects of the long flight, such as the food and services provided.
“All the research that went into the design of the meals has proven to work,” he wrote on Twitter.
Qantas said the aircraft was operated by four pilots across the 17-hour journey — with one or two pilots resting at any one time — and seats 236 passengers.
The Dreamliner carries around 92 tonnes or 110,000 litres of fuel and burns approximately 20 percent less than traditional aircraft of its size.
According to the statement, the flight is the third longest commercial flight currently in operation and the world’s longest Dreamliner flight. The longest commercial flight currently available can be taken between New Zealand and Qatar at 17 hours and 40 minutes, according to CNBC.
Congratulations to @Qantas and thanks to the 100,000 people who followed #QF9 with us to London!
Didn't catch the live flight? Check out full playback here: https://t.co/O4wMahy4I7 Playback goes much faster than 17 hours, we promise. pic.twitter.com/IjKrG3X3NF
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 25, 2018
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