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Non-Stop Flights Between The UK And Australia Are Just Two Years Away

Covering almost 9,000 miles and lasting a staggering 18 hours, a non-stop flight between the UK and Australia could be with us within just two years.

Using the latest Boeing 787-9, airline Qantas is planning to charter the epic journey from 2017, making it the longest commercial flight in history.

Flying from London to Perth, the journey would mean no annoying four-hour waits in Middle Eastern airports, but would prove an endurance test for even the most seasoned flyers.

Speaking to Air Transport World, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said: “The 787- 9 has the range to operate such a route. This opens up direct service from Australia to Europe for the first time.”

Two pairs of pilots would be required for the flight, plus extra cabin crew – as well as, presumably, an incredibly extensive film selection to keep passengers entertained.

The flight would eclipse the current world record – set, too, by Qantas – by more than an hour. In 2014, the Australian airline flew from Dallas to Sydney – covering 8,579 miles over a 16 hour 50 minute flight.

Emirates plans to travel even farther, with a Dubai to Panama City flight, from next year, covering an unbelievable 8,590 miles.

However, not everyone is impressed by the plan – with some questioning the decision to chose Perth.

Speaking to The Independent, aviation analyst John Strickland also added: “It’s technically possible but commercially questionable. Much of the traffic would be price-sensitive leisure traffic which wouldn’t give much of a return on using an expensive state-of-the-art aircraft.”

(Credit: Christopher Neugebauer/Flickr)