Longest-Ever Commercial Flight to Depart Heathrow on Sunday

On Sunday, March 25, the longest flight ever to depart from the UK will take off from Heathrow International Airport en route to Perth, Western Australia — a journey of over 9,000 miles. The latest incarnation of the “Kangaroo Route” that links the 'Land Down Under' to Europe, the route will be operated by Qantas Airlines using its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

Scheduled to take 16 hours and 45 minutes, Qantas passengers have enough time for both a good night’s sleep and a full workday. It also overlaps an entire day, leaving London at 1:15 PM and arriving in Perth at 1 PM on Tuesday.

The 787-9 features Qantas’ next-generation seating across Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class. The aircraft also features the Boeing-designed turbulence dampening technology, improved air quality to reduce jetlag and 65 per cent larger windows that give an increased sense of space.

The 236-seat 787-9 Dreamliner features 42 ‘suites’ in Business Class, along with 28 in premium economy and 166 normal economy seats. Passengers will enjoy upgraded service from what they’re typically accustomed to, including those flying in economy. 

Passengers will enjoy three meals — a late lunch, a dinner as the plane passes over the Arabian Sea, and a breakfast about two hours before arrival. To some, three consecutive meals of airline food may sound more light a nightmare, but the airline promises high-quality food (well, for a plane), and healthy ingredients that “promote hydration” such as “green leafy vegetables, cucumber, strawberries and celery,” Qantas told The Independent. Passengers can complement their dining experience with wine, kombucha, or a number of other beverage options.