Qantas' New London Nonstop Will Be the World's Longest Flight
Update 4/27/17: This flight is now available to book, but be prepared for sky-high fares. The inaugural is scheduled for March 24, 2018 (departing Perth), but the first date we're seeing business-class availability is March 25. A round-trip economy fare on the inaugural (the only class currently open) will run you a whopping $3,210 AUD (about $2,400). Currently, the lowest business-class fares we're seeing on this new nonstop total $9,723 AUD (about $7,250). Award seats do not appear to have been loaded.
Come March 2018, Qantas will be taking over the record for the world's longest flight, with nonstop service from Perth (PER) to London (LHR). This will be the first nonstop flight between Australia and Europe.
This will be Qantas' first 787 route, after the airline takes delivery of its first Dreamliner in December 2017. Recently, Qantas revealed layout plans: a premium-heavy 236-passenger aircraft with 42 business seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, 28 premium economy seats in a 2-3-2 configuration and 166 economy seats.
The flight will launch in March of 2018, with seats going on sale this coming April. Currently, fares for this route (on flights operated by Emirates) start at just $657 round-trip departing London and $1,074 round-trip departing Perth. It's likely that Qantas will add a premium, given that all other carriers flying between Europe and Australia require a stop.
If it started flying today, this would be the world's longest flight by great-circle map distance. Currently, the world's longest flight is DXB to AKL, which clocks in 8,824 miles and about 17 hours and 15 minutes long. Qantas' flight is more than 9,000 miles one-way: 200 miles and 15 minutes longer, clocking in at 17 and a half hours long.
This new London flight might not be the record holder for long, though — Singapore's planning to resume nonstop service between New York and Singapore in 2018, and that flight will clock in at more than 9,500 miles each way. We don't know exactly when the NYC-SIN flight will launch, though, so it's possible that this Qantas flight will hold the record for at least a few weeks.
Additionally, Air India technically broke the record for the world's longest flight in October, flying 9,389 miles between Delhi and San Francisco, however favorable tailwinds on the transpacific flight brought the flying time down to 14 and a half hours. That flight also tends to alternate routings, so the planned distance is often much shorter.
At least you'll be able to ask for a complimentary wine tasting (even in economy!) to break up some of those long hours.
What's the longest flight you've ever taken?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.