Qantas delays return of nonstop Perth-London flights until 2027

Qantas has pushed back the return of its nonstop Perth-London service until February 2027, extending a Singapore refuelling stop on one of the world’s longest commercial flights for another three months.

The change applies to westbound QF9 services between 25 October 2026 and 31 January 2027, with passengers travelling from Perth to London Heathrow continuing to route through Singapore. The eastbound London-Perth service will remain nonstop throughout.

Qantas introduced the stop earlier this year after Middle East airspace restrictions forced longer routings that left the Boeing 787-9 with less operational margin on an already demanding sector. Rather than restrict payload, the airline opted to refuel in Singapore, adding around three hours to a journey that normally takes about 17 hours.

For a route that became a symbol of what ultra-long-haul flying could achieve when it launched in 2018, the extended stop is a reminder that range on paper is only part of the equation. With conflict continuing to reshape available airspace, Qantas is having to adapt one of its flagship services around geography it cannot control.

Stretching the Boeing 787-9 on a 9,000-mile trip

With a great circle distance of 9,009 miles (14,499 kilometres or 7,829 nautical miles), the route from Perth to Heathrow is already stretching the 787 to its limits. Boeing lists the range of the 787-9 as 8,300 nautical miles. 

The Perth-London service, launched in 2018, is one of the world’s longest commercial routes and has provided a non-stop link between Western Australia and the UK. It has proved popular, with Qantas adding additional services from Perth to Europe, in the form of Paris and Rome connections. 

The temporary Singapore routing adds around three hours to the journey compared with the non-stop flight. The flight would otherwise take around 17 hours. 

Qantas announced on 3 March that it was suspending its flagship non-stop flight between Perth and London due to continuing airspace closures and security concerns across the Middle East. 

Instead, the flights between Perth and Heathrow, which operate as QF9, make a brief stopover at Singapore.

The original Perth–London routing saw the widebody depart Western Australia and track west across the Indian Ocean before entering a corridor through the Middle East. From there, the flight would pass over Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain, before continuing across the eastern Mediterranean and mainland Europe on its final approach into London.

Since the outbreak of the Iran war, however, the available routing has shifted significantly to avoid Iranian airspace and nearby conflict zones. 

Qantas’ Paris service also impacted

Qantas will separately alter its Sydney-Paris service over the same period. From 25 October 2026 until 31 January 2027, the service will operate via Singapore rather than Perth, while the return Paris-Sydney flight will remain unchanged.

Qantas is also making a number of other changes to its international and domestic network as it adjusts its schedule for the introduction of more Airbus A321XLR aircraft.

The airline will continue operating its Brisbane-Manila service with the Airbus A330 until 31 January 2027, before introducing the A321XLR on the route from 1 February.

From 25 October, Qantas will also add more A321XLR-operated flights on key domestic routes linking Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, while reducing some services to and from Perth.

The changes may also result in adjustments to flight numbers, aircraft types and operating days across the network, the airline said. 

The changes come as Qantas continues to reshape its long-haul network around its incoming A321XLR fleet. 

Separately, the Qantas Group and Melbourne Airport have agreed key commercial terms that clear the way for additional flights, upgraded international lounges, improved check-in, and the delivery of the airport’s third runway. The deal is significant as Qantas plans to base some of its Airbus A350-1000LRs at Melbourne Airport, allowing it to launch flights to new international destinations.

The aircraft form part of the airline’s order for 12 Airbus A350-1000LRs, which sit alongside the Project Sunrise ultra-long-range aircraft.