Western Australia is one step closer to being represented in Qantas's new Dreamliner fleet, with Quokka making the shortlist of 20 potential names.

Qantas launched a campaign on May 15 asking Australians to suggest names that reflected the true spirit of Australia for the airline's fleet of eight Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

As a result, Tourism WA put a call out last week for the WA tourism industry and public to nominate the name Quokka, an iconic and much-loved West Australian marsupial.

More than 10,000 submissions were sent to the airline and each entry included an average of four different names, totalling more than 40,000 suggestions, which were then narrowed down to 20.

Tourism WA is urging all West Australians to keep the momentum going by voting for “Qantas Quokka” to make the final eight.

Tourism WA CEO Gwyn Dolphin said he was thrilled Quokka made the shortlist, thanks to the passion of the WA public, but wanted to see the world's happiest animal go one better.

“From next March, Qantas will be flying non-stop from London to Perth. Visitors will be able to hop on a plane in London and arrive in Perth, 17 hours later,” Mr Dolphin said.

“We think it is only fitting that the plane they are travelling on should be named after an icon of Western Australia.

“Traditionally air routes between London and Australia have been known as the 'kangaroo route' so it makes sense to have the 'quokka route' to Western Australia.”

Voting closes at 12pm, Tuesday June 6 and Qantas will announce the final eight names on June 7.

To vote Qantas Quokka, visit www.qantas.com/nameourdreamliners

The daily service, operated by Qantas' new Dreamliner, will be the first to directly link Australia with Europe when it begins on March 24 next year.