The first non-stop, 17-hour flight from Australia to the UK touched down in London Heathrow on Sunday morning, 5:02 am local time.

The QF9 Qantas airline flight crew made history after taking on the third longest route in the world. It is also iconic as this is the first time Australia and Europe have a direct air-link.

Alan Joyce, Qantas Group CEO who was a passenger on the maiden flight, said: “This is a truly historic flight that opens up a new era of travel. For the first time, Australia and Europe have a direct air link.” 

The route was initially dubbed the “Kangaroo route” because when it first began, it took four days to travel and the flight had to make seven stops before reaching London.

“Now we can do it in a single leap,” Joyce said.

Western Australia's premier, Mark McGowan was also among the 200 passengers on the flight. On Twitter he said, “History made. The @Qantas Dreamliner has landed in London, carrying more than 200 passengers. A new era of travel and opportunities for Western Australia’s economy has officially begun.”

In a second tweet he said, “Perth is officially the western gateway to Australia. Now connected directly to London in just over 17 hours. Congratulations @Qantas on a perfect flight, lots of happy passengers along the way. #QF9.”

Qantas Airline tweeted: “A momentous occasion on the flight deck of #QF9#QantasDreamliner.”

The Perth to London route (9000miles) is the longest route as it is now 24% farther than UK’s existing longest service between Jakarta and London —operated by Garuda Indonesia and is 7,275 miles.

By Airport Pickups London