Qantas is teasing the possibility of direct flights from Australia to London when it takes delivery of new Dreamliner jets next year.
Qantas says the new jets have the range to operate nonstop from Perth to London.
"This aircraft allows us to fly routes that we could only imagine in the past. It allows us to fly from Perth to London, from Sydney to Chicago or Melbourne to Dallas," Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said.
Talks over Perth-London flights are well advanced and an announcement may be just weeks away, Joyce said.
"We are still in the midst of discussions and there is always to-ing and fro-ing on commercial discussions, but it’s such a great opportunity for Western Australia it would be a shame if we couldn’t close a deal. It’s so game-changing because Australia has never been connected with Europe with a regular passenger service," Joyce said.
The carrier starts taking delivery of the new jets in October next year.
