23 Mar 2018
The world's first non-stop flight from the UK to Australia, launches on Sunday 25th March from Heathrow Airport at 13.15, arriving in Perth at 13.00 the next day. Qantas, Australia's national carrier, will operate daily non-stop flights from London to Perth, using the brand-new Boeing 787-9. The 14,498-kilometre service is the first commercial service to directly link Australia with Europe.
With an enhanced cabin design, the Dreamliner also features turbulence dampening technology, improved air quality to reduce jetlag and 65 per cent larger windows to give passengers an increased sense of space. The B787-9 features Qantas' next-generation seating across Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class. What used to take four days and seven stops in 1947 now takes a single hop, with the service transporting snow-blasted Brits to Australia's sunniest city in just 17 hours.
The new flight is expected to deliver a tourism boost to Perth and Western Australia – one of 2018's must-visit destinations. The flights come at a time when Western Australia's sun kissed capital has never looked so appealing. Since 2012, 25 new or redeveloped hotels have opened in and around Perth. By 2020, a further 14 new or redeveloped hotels will come online – among the names still to come are The Westin, QT, Doubletree by Hilton and the Ritz-Carlton, which will be its first Australian property in 10 years Other developments, such as the glittering waterfront Elizabeth Quay development and several new bars, restaurants and new cultural and entertainment precincts, have flourished and transformed the city.
Paired with the growing urban sophistication is the amazing weather and flawless natural surrounds which Perth has always been known for. The city has 19 pristine city beaches, Kings Park (one of the largest urban parks in the world) and the Swan River which allows for kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding in the heart of the city. A short ferry from the city is Rottnest Island, home to miniature marsupial the quokka which has been named as the happiest animal on the planet. Then there's the Swan Valley, which is Western Australia's oldest wine region and the closest wine region to a capital city in Australia, just a 30-minute drive from the city centre. At more than 180 years old, its speciality premium wines include Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Shiraz and fortifieds, with local grapes producing nearly 30 million bottles of wine a year – it's also home to breweries, distilleries, nougat, honey, chocolate, fresh produce and a wildlife park.
Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:
“Visitors from the UK will be able to fly non-stop to Perth with Qantas using the latest in aviation technology.
The direct flights have the potential to change the way people travel between Europe and Australia and give us the opportunity to sell Perth and Western Australia as the place to start a holiday in Australia. Western Australia boasts stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, flawless beaches, wonderful wine regions, and endless sunshine and with the launch of these historic new flights it has never been easier for people from the UK to start their Australian adventure.
Swimming with whale sharks and dolphins, exploring out-of-this-world landscapes like the Pinnacles or meeting the quokka, the happiest animal in the world are all things Brits could be doing this time tomorrow in Western Australia, thanks to these new flights.”
Qantas offer a great value way for visitors to experience Western Australia beyond Perth, with the option of flying to the pearling town of Broome in the North West or the pristine Ningaloo Reef on the Coral Coast where visitors can swim with humpback whales as well as whale sharks and manta rays.
Sample packages
Return Qantas Economy seats from Perth price start from £793 per person – travel period is 23 October to 5 December 2018. Visit https://dreamliner.qantas.com/ .
Abercrombie & Kent (www.abercrombiekent.co.uk) offers a trip from £1,675pp based on two people sharing, including nonstop economy flights with Qantas. 6 night tailor-made holiday visiting Margaret River, Pemberton, Albany & Perth. Best time to go: October – April
Find out more by visiting www.westernaustralia.com
For images of Perth and Western Australia please click here.
ENDS
For more information contact Laoise Collins at lcollins@twa.australia.com/ 0207 438 4606
