Qantas Airways will introduce the first nonstop long-haul service between Perth (PER) and London (LHR), creating Australia’s first direct air link to Europe. Currently, Qantas routes passengers to London via hubs such as Singapore (SIN) or Dubai (DXB); the new nonstop option will reduce overall travel time by at least 90 minutes gate to gate.
Passengers traveling from Melbourne (MEL) will still route through Perth, but the layover will be shorter and more convenient. The arrival of Qantas’ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner has enabled the airline to operate this extended nonstop sector efficiently.
Qantas reports strong demand for the direct Perth–London service from travelers on both sides of the route. Corporate clients, in particular, have shown notable interest: travel management companies indicate that business passengers based on Australia’s west coast welcome a straight, faster connection to London.
Beyond the immediate Perth–London link, the service could pave the way for further direct routes between Australia and other major European cities, including Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt. Establishing a successful nonstop connection between Western Australia and the U.K. may encourage the airline to expand nonstop offerings to additional European destinations.
To extend nonstop capabilities from Australia’s east coast hubs—such as Sydney and Melbourne—Qantas is also engaging with aircraft manufacturers about new-generation jets with the range and efficiency required for direct flights to London. Continued developments in long-range aircraft technology will be a key factor in determining when and how nonstop east coast–Europe routes become viable.
Overall, the Perth–London nonstop represents a significant change in Australia–Europe travel, offering faster journeys, improved convenience for west coast passengers, and potential growth in direct services connecting Australia with multiple European capitals.