Australia’s Qantas Airways is bracing for one of the longest non-stop flights.
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Qantas plans to offer a non-stop 19 hour flight between Australia and the United Kingdom within two years. For the long haul flight, Qantas will use the latest Boeing 787-9.
Joyce also indicated the airline might begin direct flights from Melbourne to Dallas – a route that would be similar in distance to the Perth-London flight. The new London-Perth service would complement the existing links.
Mr Joyce said the Boeing 787-9 had the range to be able to make the 14,000 kilometre journey, which would make it the longest commercial flight in the world, Air Transport World reports.
The ideal timing would be an early evening departure from Perth, arriving around noon next day in London – allowing plenty of time for connections at either end.
The return flights will depart Xi’an’s Xianyang worldwide Airport at 09:30 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and arrive at San Francisco global Airport at 06:35 the same day. For tourists, the flights will be a boon in spending more time at the Bondi Beach.
Two pairs of pilots would be required for the flight, plus extra cabin crew – as well as, presumably, an incredibly extensive film selection to keep passengers entertained.
The 787 Dreamliner is revolutionizing the flying experience for United customers and crews while delivering unprecedented operating efficiency, comfort and lower emissions.
However the route would come with challenges as it would most likely mean flying over the Crimea which is now off-limits to airlines following the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. It may need diversionary airports in Western Australia in case Perth gets closed down because of a storm.
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Oman Air has announced that it will deploy its first Dreamliner on services to Saudi Arabia and Europe. For the new London service, the Australian airline will be reclaiming the slots it had leased at Heathrow to British Airways.
