SYDNEY: Virgin Atlantic is planning non-stop flights between London and Perth in Western Australia, cutting out the need for a stopover in Asia.
Virgin Atlantic will use Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner on the non-stop services, starting in 2011.
Virgin Atlantic is ordering 15 of the 787-9 Dreamliners – with options on another eight 787-9s and purchase rights on a further 20 aircraft.
The 787-9 Dreamliner burns around 27% less fuel per passenger than the A340-300, the aircraft it will replace in the Virgin Atlantic fleet.
The new aircraft will enable Virgin Atlantic to operate direct flights between Australia and the UK, with non-stop services between London and Perth. It is anticipated that the flight will take approximately 16 hours.
“The traditional stopover in Asia and the Middle East on flights between Australia and the UK will become a thing of the past, said Virgin.
The importance of popular stopover destinations like Singapore is likely to diminish further as Middle East airlines such as Emirates, Etihad and Qatar increase their services out of Australia.
However, Virgin Atlantic has flagged that the Dreamliner will allow it to explore new destinations in Asia, with Bangkok tipped to be the first.
Sir Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Atlantic, said, “Virgin Atlantic has always been about innovation. Being the first airline to operate non-stop flights between Australia and the UK is both pioneering and incredibly exciting.
“These services also show Virgin Atlantic’s continuing commitment to the Australian market, with plans to expand our network to Melbourne on the drawing board.”
