Strap Yourselves In: Direct Flights From Perth To London Will Arrive In 2018

Qantas will be introducing non-stop flights from Perth to London in March 2018; it’s the first time Australians will be able to fly direct to Europe.

Alan Joyce, Qantas chief executive, said the 17-hour flights would be the third-longest passenger flight in the world.

The airline is releasing a snazzy new 787 Dreamliner plane, which will be used on the route. The newly designed aircraft features 32 inches of legroom, additional storage, personal device holders and seat back mood lighting.

Oh, and the entertainment screens have been made slightly larger to suit our binge-watching needs—thanks Qantas.

Europe just got a whole lot closer. Non-stop flights from Perth to London beginning March 2018. The first route for our Qantas Dreamliners. pic.twitter.com/qtPhl60yqx

— Qantas (@Qantas) December 11, 2016

While it’s pretty standard for international flights to depart from, well, international terminals, it won’t be the case this time. Qantas want the non-stop service to operate out of Perth’s domestic terminal, to make it easier for passengers who have connecting flights.

The WA state government has promised to contribute $14 million for upgrades to the airport, which will be a strong generator of jobs in the area. “This is great for Western Australia,” said Mr Joyce.

“Australians have never had a direct link to Europe before, so the opportunities this opens up are huge.”

The initiative will also greatly benefit the local economy, says Premier Colin Barnett. “It very much makes Perth an international destination for air travelers,” he said.

“The service will create opportunities for people to stop over in Perth for a day or two if en route to or from another Australian destination.”

Depending on how you look at it: Seventeen hours on a plane might be total nightmare fuel or an absolute dream?

Let's just hope there will be a lot of movies to choose from.

Photo: iStock