Today Qantas’s first flight direct from Perth to London takes off, providing passenger’s with an unrivalled flying experience as they travel on what is now the longest flight in the world. Travelling over 9,000 miles and taking 17 hours, the Australia-England flight marks a significant moment in aviation history.
Not only is it the longest flight in the world, it is also the first time that a regular nonstop flight will be available to travellers between Australia and the UK. “This is a game-changing route flown by a game-changing aircraft,” Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said in a statement last year. “Australians have never had a direct link to Europe before, so the opportunities this opens up are huge.”
Passengers embarking on today’s first flight will ride in a Boeing 787 specifically designed for the long-haul trip. Design researcher Rachelle Ornan-Stone said the design team’s motto was: “Flying is special but we, as an industry, have almost succeeded in killing it off in a lot of people. Let’s bring it back”, The West Australian reports. In alignment with this, the 787 has been tailored to provide a more enjoyable flying experience for the passenger.
Extra-large windows, a wider cabin and a quieter engine ensures a more comfortable flight, while photochromatic control reduces the amount of light entering the craft. Boeing has installed a filtration system that removes odours, allergens, bacteria and viruses from the cabins in a world-first for commercial aircraft. And, for those that dread unwanted bouts of turbulence, the 787 has new technology that senses upcoming turbulence and adjusts the plane’s control surfaces to minimise impact. “The result is a 70% reduction in turbulence,” says Dr Ornan-Stone.
A #viewfromabove in Shark Bay, @WestAustralia. Spending time exploring this incredible state before our inaugural Perth to London flight on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/lAwnGvT3Pa
— Qantas (@Qantas) March 22, 2018