The competition to offer regular, non-stop flights from London to Australia has kicked off, with both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic vying to be the first to fly the route.
The 9,200 nautical-mile journey, which will take up to 20 hours, is regarded as one of the last “Holy Grails” in aviation, as only a few aircraft are capable of this range.
Willie Walsh, the chief executive of BA, was at Airbus’s headquarters in Toulouse last week to be briefed on its proposed new aircraft, the A350XWB.
Airbus is offering BA a variant called the A350-900R, which will have a range of about 9,400 nautical miles.
This would allow the airline to schedule direct Heathrow-to-Sydney flights. Virgin said this year that it would buy Boeing’s rival to the A350, the 787 Dreamliner.
This has a range of up to 8,500 nautical miles, allowing the carrier to launch scheduled flights from London to Perth, Western Australia – but not as far as Sydney.
Virgin’s 787 is likely to enter service in 2011, at least four years before the A350-900R.
Virgin may become the first to launch direct Australia flights, but until Boeing offers an extended-range version of the 787 the key markets of Sydney and Melbourne will remain out of reach.
Qantas also has its eyes on the direct route to London and it, too, hopes to use extended-range 787s.
Boeing is trying to offer the existing 777-200LR for these ultra-long-haul flights, but airlines believe that the aircraft is too heavy to be economical on the Sydney route.
Rather than buy the 777, airlines are pinning their hopes on next-generation aircraft, such as the 787 and A350.
Both will be more than 50 per cent made from composite materials – essentially carbon fibre. This will reduce their weight, thereby improving their fuel efficiency and making ultra-long-haul flights more commercially viable.
By: steve rowell - 2nd August 2007 at 04:56
Having done the LHR-SYD flight plenty of times, I would hate the idea of doing it non stop! Imagine the boredom!!
It would be bearable in first class section with a sleeper compartment and some fine wine
By: CWBalmer - 2nd August 2007 at 00:22
Having done the LHR-SYD flight plenty of times, I would hate the idea of doing it non stop! Imagine the boredom!!
By: steve rowell - 1st August 2007 at 09:18
Flying Sydney-London non-stop is not something i could warm to..i’m afraid flying that distance i’d need at least a couple of hours stretch in a Singapore or Bangkok transit lounge
By: Bmused55 - 31st July 2007 at 09:49
The one thing I don’t understand is the distances discussed.
According to a pilot friend, you’d need a machine capable of nigh on 10,000nm. Not 9,400nm for a direct non stop kangaroo route. This is due to the prevailing winds on the Sydney – London route that “add” miles.
If it was just a case of 9,200nm, then surely QF would have snapped up the 772LR which is a 9,450nm ranged jet.
By: symon - 31st July 2007 at 09:34
I have my, I think, 10th hop around the world to NZ this Friday, 25 hour flight time. I have only ever been economy (unfortunately) and even at 6ft (which isn’t THAT tall admittedly) I find the trip quite bearable. It is certainly helped by the free drinks service! The whiskey certainly does help the time go by.
I think after the LHR-LAX leg I am usually a bit tired of sitting on a plane, but then I don’t really enjoy the 4 hour wait at LAX to go to AKL either. So I think if given the opportunity I might go for the full whack – as long as it is comfortable and there is plenty of IFE of course!
By: bring_it_on - 31st July 2007 at 06:46
Having Done SIN-LAX over a dozen times ( mostly in SQ premium buisness or first and some in economy) it is a Pain no matter which class you are in (even with the taipei or NRT stopover) however i can expect a nice sized market to be there specially for buisness travelers . A large buisness class and a nice sized Premium economy would do well on this route for BA . Good to see Airbus being agressive with the A350 and going out of the limb here for a valued customer !!
By: steve rowell - 31st July 2007 at 03:48
I find the Sydney-LAX 14.5 hour non-stop crossing tedious and tiresome enough in business class..i couldn’t even comprehend a 20 hour non-stop in cattle class..I’d go nuts
By: Bmused55 - 30th July 2007 at 22:02
I’d expect to see a direct non stop route operate alongside the traditional one stop service.
The non stop service would likely be a lighter loaded, more wider spaced seated premium service for those willing to add an extra percentage on the price tag of the ticket.
By: Manston Airport - 30th July 2007 at 21:44
I read this article as well.
I have never flown to Oz before, and even now I dont think I could do it without needing a break, I only can just manage to do LHR-SFO!
?
I have only Done LGW-YVR. I would try the non-stop route but wont you get that thing with your feet? Wonder If BA will take the A350 offer.
James
By: cloud_9 - 30th July 2007 at 19:37
I believe the aircraft is business and premium economy only. Eighteen hours without a break in steerage might just be something of a chore, even with SIA who have one of the better economy cabins.
I read this article as well.
I have never flown to Oz before, and even now I dont think I could do it without needing a break, I only can just manage to do LHR-SFO!
Any airline that decides to offer this and similar services would have to ensure a decent level of onboard service and IFE throughout the flight.
Imagine if one of the toliets broke or got blocked-up…the queues would be massive; or if the IFE system/PTV’s didnt work, it would be a nightmare!
And also what would the crewing situation be like…airlines would need 2, possibly 3 sets of cabin crew per flight wouldn’t they?
By: egpx - 30th July 2007 at 11:43
Hmmm, I wonder when we will get the first moans about DVTs…
SIA operate SIN-EWR with an A345. That is a long old flight. They have to fly in one direction (east-west) because of the northern hemesphere jetstreams. However, I believe the aircraft is business and premium economy only. Eighteen hours without a break in steerage might just be something of a chore, even with SIA who have one of the better economy cabins.
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July 30, 2007 at 8:24 am