![[PR] PR_Ascott and Vimut Hospital_2024](https://www.traveldailynews.asia/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PR-PR_Ascott-and-Vimut-Hospital_2024-400x265.jpg)
Historic “non-hop” Perth–London Heathrow service wins anna.aero’s “Platinum Planet Prize”
On arrival at London Heathrow recently, Qantas was presented with the anna.aero “Platinum Planet Prize”, an award recognising the world’s first-ever non-stop route from Australia to Europe. The historic new direct service, between Perth and London Heathrow, takes 17 hours and 20 minutes, and covers a distance of 14,499 kilometres (all distances are calculated by anna.aero using OAG Analyser – the world’s most comprehensive airline schedules database).
While Qantas has been serving Heathrow since the 1940s, this is the first time that the carrier has been able to link the far-flung continents without any kind of refuelling stop en-route.
The award was officially presented to Qantas CEO Alan Joyce on arrival in London by the Publisher of anna.aero, Paul Hogan.
Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas said: “Qantas has been preparing for this historical, record-breaking, new route for almost a century since we were founded in 1921. Now, on touchdown in London, with the presentation of the anna.aero Platinum Planet Prize, this historical new route is instantly an award-winning route. I’ll accept this honour on behalf of Qantas, but I dedicate it to all the people who have served this great airline throughout its history, and who have worked ceaselessly for the delivery of the first-ever non-stop route between Australia and London.”
Simon Eastburn, Director of Airline Business Development at Heathrow, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the very first direct air link between Europe and Australia, a true milestone moment, for a hugely popular route. We have been developing Terminal 3 to bring passengers new and exciting experiences and this new service from Qantas certainly enables that, being of real benefit to tourists, families and business travellers alike.”
Perth Airport Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Brown, said: The Qantas inaugural flight to London is an historic moment for Western Australia, as Perth becomes not only a gateway to the United Kingdom but Australia’s Western Hub. “We are delighted that this world-first service is happening at Perth Airport and will connect people to a world full of possibilities,” Mr Brown said.
The Publisher of anna.aero, Paul J. Hogan, said: “Linking Australia to Europe with a direct, non-stop service crosses one of the last remaining unconquered frontiers of air service development. With this historic new service the planet has just shrunk, and the award of the anna.aero Platinum Planet Prize gives full recognition to Qantas for its continued dedication to ground-breaking, long-haul route development.”
Angelos is the news editor for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). His role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. He currently studies Communication, Media & Culture in Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens.
