Lexi Webster
British Airways has been slowly withdrawing from the Australian market, ceasing operations to Perth in 2006. While Qantas operates non-stop flights from Perth to London, British Airways does not seem interested in the route. British Airways CEO has expressed no interest in operating ultra-long-haul non-stop services between the UK and Australia, and the airline currently only flies to Sydney via Singapore once a day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does British Airways fly to Perth, Australia? | No, British Airways does not fly to Perth, Australia. |
| When did British Airways stop flying to Perth? | 2006 |
| Does any airline fly direct from Perth to London? | Qantas operates non-stop flights from Perth to London. |
| Do any other airlines fly from Australia to the UK? | Yes, over 20 airlines operate routes connecting Australia and the UK, including Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and Turkish Airlines. |
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What You'll Learn
British Airways ceased operations to Perth in 2006
British Airways has not flown to Perth, Australia, since 2006. The airline has been slowly withdrawing from the Australian market, having ceased operations to Brisbane in 2000 and to Melbourne and Perth in 2006. Currently, British Airways only flies to Sydney via Singapore, and only once a day.
The decision to cease operations to Perth was likely influenced by the success of the Qantas non-stop Perth to London route, which began in 2018. Qantas has been operating in the Australian market since 1935 and has evolved the Kangaroo Route over time in terms of routings, duration, and aircraft used. Qantas currently remains the sole operator of the Kangaroo Route, the only nonstop flight between Australia and the United Kingdom.
Despite the success of Qantas on the direct Perth to London route, British Airways has stated that they are not looking to operate ultra-long-haul nonstop services between the UK and Australia. Willie Walsh, the CEO of IAG (the group that owns British Airways), has said that there are no plans to operate direct flights from Heathrow to Australia. He personally does not find the idea of a 21-hour flight appealing.
Instead, British Airways has focused on its legacy route to Sydney, which it has served since 1935 when it was Imperial Airways. This route has been a success for the airline, and they plan to continue their presence in Sydney, with the possibility of expanding back into Melbourne in the future. However, they have no plans to compete with Qantas on the ultra-long-haul market to Perth or other Australian destinations.
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Qantas operates non-stop flights from Perth to London
Qantas offers non-stop flights from Perth to London, filling the gap left by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. The flight time from Perth to London is 17 hours and 45 minutes on QF9, and the return flight, QF9, departs Perth at 18:45, arriving at London Heathrow at 05:05 the next day. Qantas's Dreamliner aircraft service the route and can carry 236 passengers across business, premium economy, and economy cabins. The airline recommends visiting London between March and May when the temperatures are mild, and the city's parks are in bloom.
Qantas's Dreamliner offers more space, greater comfort, and easier aisle access for all passengers. The airline's Economy class features innovative design and thoughtful touches that push the boundaries of comfort and technology. The Premium Economy class offers passengers greater personal space, privacy, and aisle access for every seat. Finally, the Business Suite allows passengers to relax and stretch out with even more space and privacy.
Perth Airport is located 15 km (9 miles) from the city centre and is the busiest and largest airport in Western Australia. Qantas operates international and domestic flights from Terminal 3 and 4 (T3/T4). When visiting Perth, Qantas recommends taking advantage of its domestic network to discover more unique experiences in Australia. For example, passengers can book a multi-city holiday and dive the Great Barrier Reef or go koala spotting along the Otway Coast.
Qantas's non-stop Perth to London route has been a success, with no plans from British Airways or Virgin Atlantic to compete with direct flights. British Airways CEO, Walsh, commented on the ultra-long-haul, stating that "the idea of sitting on an aircraft for 21 hours to get from Heathrow to Sydney" doesn't appeal to him. Similarly, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia have chosen to deepen their ties, making one-stop itineraries in Hong Kong more logical than direct routes to Perth.
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Virgin Atlantic has no plans to launch flights to Perth
British Airways does not fly to Perth, Australia, directly. They withdrew from the route in 2006 and currently only fly to Sydney, once a day via Singapore. The CEO of IAG, the group that owns British Airways, has confirmed that there are no plans to operate ultra-long-haul non-stop services between the UK and Australia.
Virgin Atlantic also has no intentions of launching flights to Perth. A spokesperson for the airline confirmed this, stating that they do not "have any plans to launch flights to Perth". Instead, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia intend to strengthen their relationship, making one-stop itineraries in Hong Kong a more viable option than a direct route.
Virgin Australia, however, does offer flights from London to Perth, with return tickets costing an average of £1152.97. The flight duration is approximately 18 hours and 30 minutes, and passengers will depart from and arrive at Heathrow and Perth Airports, respectively.
Perth Airport is conveniently located, offering easy access to the city centre. The airport provides a range of facilities, including dining, shopping, and comfortable lounges. Ground transportation, such as taxis, buses, and car hire services, are readily available for travellers continuing their journey.
Although Virgin Atlantic has no immediate plans to fly to Perth, the airline has expressed interest in expanding its long-haul routes. Richard Branson shared his personal desire to start non-stop flights to Australia "as soon as possible". However, Branson only holds a minority share in the airline, and the decision to launch new routes ultimately rests with the majority shareholders.
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British Airways currently only flies to Sydney via Singapore
Despite the success of Qantas' direct Perth-London route, which commenced in March 2018, British Airways has stated that they are not looking to operate ultra-long-haul non-stop services between the UK and Australia. This sentiment was echoed by the CEO of IAG, the group that owns British Airways, who said that there are no plans to operate direct flights from Heathrow to Australia.
British Airways' only remaining route to Australia is the Sydney route via Singapore, which they have found to be a success. This route has been served by the airline since 1935 when it was Imperial Airways. Qantas, on the other hand, has been expanding its operations in the Australian market, resuming non-stop flights from Darwin to London in November 2021 and from Perth to London in May 2022.
While British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have the ability to operate the Perth-London route, it does not seem to be in their business plans at the moment. Virgin Atlantic stopped flying to Australia altogether in 2014, and British Airways does not seem interested in competing with ultra-long-haul flights to Australia.
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Qantas is the sole operator of the Kangaroo Route
Qantas has played a significant role in the history of air travel between Australia and the United Kingdom, known as the Kangaroo Route. The term "Kangaroo Route" was coined by Qantas in 1944, inspired by the unique mode of travel of the kangaroo, as the route's "'hops'" between multiple destinations resembled a kangaroo's jumps, and both are used to cover long distances.
Qantas began flying the Kangaroo Route in 1947, using Lockheed Constellations. The route had stops at various cities, including Darwin, Singapore, Calcutta, Karachi, Cairo, Castel Benito, and Rome. The travel time was approximately 58 hours. Over the years, Qantas has continued to evolve the route, reducing the number of stops and improving travel times.
In 1959, Qantas became the first customer outside the United States to receive a Boeing 707, which it introduced to the Kangaroo Route. This jet aircraft offered new routing options and allowed for stops at a wider range of airports. Qantas has also operated the route with Super Constellations, offering upgraded services to passengers.
Today, Qantas remains the sole operator of the trademarked Kangaroo Route, offering the only nonstop flight between Australia and the United Kingdom. While British Airways operates a legacy route between Australia and the United Kingdom, it is not considered part of the Kangaroo Route. Qantas has announced plans to introduce direct flights from Sydney to London by 2026, further reducing travel times and offering passengers even more convenient options for travelling between Australia and the United Kingdom.
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Frequently asked questions
No, British Airways does not fly to Perth, Australia. They ceased operations to Perth in 2006.
British Airways has slowly been withdrawing from the Australian market. They currently only fly to Sydney via Singapore, and that too only once a day.
Qantas operates non-stop flights from Perth to London. Other airlines that fly routes connecting Australia and the UK include Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines.
The duration of the flight depends on the number of stops and the place of departure. Qantas operates non-stop flights from Perth to London, which have a duration of 17 to 18 hours.
Perth is a great destination for adventure, curiosity and relaxation. Some attractions include Kings Park and Botanic Garden, one of the largest inner-city parks in the world, and the WA Museum Boola Bardip, where you can learn about the region's Aboriginal history.
