Qantas makes record by flying one-off direct flight

Friday, October 8, 2021

Australian airline Qantas has set a new company record by flying a one-off direct flight from Buenos Aires to the city of Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory.

The flight repatriated 107 Australians and set two Qantas records in the process longest distance covered (15,020 km or 9,333 miles) and longest time in the air for a commercial flight (17 hours and 25 minutes). Before the pandemic, Qantas’ longest direct passenger flight connected London and Perth, which came in at a “mere” 14,498 km (9,009 miles) and 16 hours and 45 minutes.

Captain Alex Passerini, one of the four pilots who helmed the aircraft said that Qantas has always stepped up to a challenge, especially when it comes to long-haul travel, and this flight is an excellent example of the capabilities and attention to detail of our flight planning team.

He noted one more additional achievement; there were some truly spectacular views as we tracked across Antarctica.

Australian airline Qantas has set a company record by flying a one-off direct flight from Buenos Aires to the city of Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory.

The flight repatriated 107 Australians and set two Qantas records in the process: longest distance covered (15,020 km or 9,333 miles) and longest time in the air for a commercial flight (17 hours and 25 minutes). Before the pandemic, Qantas’ longest direct passenger flight connected London and Perth, which came in at a “mere” 14,498 km (9,009 miles) and 16 hours and 45 minutes.

Normally, that route goes over the US and includes a stopover in Los Angeles. Because US aviation regulations require travelers transiting via the country to go through American customs, the strict coronavirus protocols meant that it was too much hassle for the plane to stop.

Instead, Air Tahiti Nui opted to have the flight push straight through, clocking in at about 16 hours in the sky.

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