THE longest direct flight to the UK has been scrapped, leaving passengers in need of longer routes and layovers. The Qantas route from Perth Airport to London Heathrow Airport was first launched in 2018. It took 17 hours to jet from one airport to the other without stopping on the way.
However, those flights from Australia are no longer available, due to the escalating situation in the Middle East. Now, instead of flying directly, the route will be forced to make a stop in Singapore Changi Airport on its way in order to refuel. From there it will take an alternative route to London, avoiding the airspace above the Middle East "as a precaution”.
A spokesperson for the Australian carrier told local media: “We’re making adjustments to some of our flight paths due to the situation in parts of the Middle East as a precaution." Although the route from Perth to London will now be disturbed, the return journey will still be able to fly direct. Jet streams and strong winds mean it doesn't have to divert, despite being along a readjusted route.
Qantas isn't the only airline to have been forced to alter its routes due to conflict recently. British Airways has recently announced that its flights to Beijing will be suspended from October until at least November next year. The cancellation comes alongside a ban on UK flights over Russian airspace, causing the UK flag carrier to divert, extending the length of their route.
Luis Gallego, the chief executive of BA's parent company IAG, .