Qantas quizzer: will you fly to London via Dubai or Perth?

By David Flynn, May 26 2017
Qantas quizzer: will you fly to London via Dubai or Perth?

Business travellers flying with Qantas to London early next year will face a very different set of choices than today.

Here’s the scene mid-2017: if you’re in Sydney or Melbourne, you hop onto that city’s respective Airbus A380 flight to London via Dubai. If you live anywhere else, you fly to Sydney or Melbourne and connect onto that same superjumbo service.

Fast-forward to mid-2018 – well, from March 24 to be precise – and for most of us, that all changes when Qantas begins daily non-stop Boeing 787 flights between Perth and London.

Sydney-based flyers will still have Qantas’ flagship QF1 service via Dubai on their list, along with the option to head west to Perth for the direct-to-London Dreamliner.

Here’s how the Kangaroo Routes for 2018 compare.

Pricing

Despite early concerns over the Dreamliner’s premium pricing, fares now appear to have equalised – at least during the early weeks of May 2018, when Australian Business Traveller ran a price comparison.

One-way business class fares listed from around $4,820 regardless of if you’re flying Sydney-Dubai-London or Sydney-Perth-London.

Similarly, Melbourne passengers are looking at an average of $4,820 whether they opt to zip north to Sydney to catch QF1 or hop straight onto the red-tailed Dreamliner at the start of its QF9 journey to fly Melbourne-Perth-London.

Points & status credits

While this won’t be anybody’s major decision driver, we should note that travellers on QF1 and QF9 will earn different numbers of Qantas Frequent Flyer points and status credits.

For Sydney-London via Dubai there’s a business class base of 18,600 points and 280 status credits (the same applies to Melbourne to London via Perth on QF9).

The non-stop Perth-London Boeing 787 flight yields 12,400 points and 220 status credits.

East coast travellers will need to add a domestic leg onto this – for Sydney-Perth, for example, that means an extra 3,300 points and 80 status credits, so you end up with slightly more status credits (300 vs 280) but fewer frequent flyer points (15,700 vs 18,600).

Making the connection

Travellers from anywhere other than Sydney will need to take one domestic flight before joining Qantas’ London-bound services: either the QF1 Airbus A380 at Sydney or the QF9 Boeing 787 at Perth.

The domestic-to-international transfer at Sydney is the biggest drawback here: it’s a cumbersome process which adds hassle and time to your travel experience.

By comparison, Qantas’ international flights from Perth will leave from a newly-built international wing of the domestic terminal so there’ll be minimal bother: just a short stroll from your inbound domestic flight, a security check, and then it’s off to the new Qantas lounge (below) for a Neil Perry-inspired BBQ.

Read more: Qantas details new Perth international lounge

Travel time

The non-stop Perth-London flight clocks in at 17.5 hours, but of course the total travel time for anybody not starting their journey from Perth will be quite a bit longer: around 25.5 hours if you’re coming from Sydney or Melbourne.

That’s actually 1.5 hours longer than flying Sydney-Dubai-London, including your stopover at Emirates’ Dubai lounge.

The seat

Given that you’ll spend most of those 20+ hours sitting in a business class seat, the Boeing 787 has the edge here.

You’ll have direct access to the aisle, ample personal space, conveniently-located AC and USB power sockets, and a large 16 inch video screen for watching inflight movies.

The seat can be partially reclined during the taxi, take-off and landing stages of your Boeing 787 flight, and of course it swings down into a 2 metre lie-flat bed.

Read more: Introducing Qantas' Boeing 787 Dreamliner business class seats

As anybody who’s flown business class on the Qantas’ Airbus A380s, there’s no contest between this and the superjumbo experience.

And despite having a great business class seats, the Boeing 787 makes do without first class. Want to use your Qantas points to upgrade to a first class suite? Then the Sydney-London Airbus A380 is your only option.

The stopover

Unless you live in Perth, there’s a stopover regardless of which Kangaroo Route you hop onto: you’ll simply have a choice of resting up in Perth or Dubai.

The good news for residents of Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra, for example, is that there’s just that one stopover if they opt for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner out of Perth.

That said, some passengers will definitely prefer to break their journey at Emirates‘ Dubai lounges while others will be happy to barrel straight through the 17.5 hour stretch.

This more than anything else could the deal-breaker for London-bound travellers.

If you regularly fly Qantas business class to London, and especially if you're based in Melbourne, what's on your travel agenda for 2018: will you stick with the Airbus A380 to London via Dubai, or shift to the non-stop Boeing 787 from Perth?

David

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1424

I note your calculation is in a 3 hour layover in Perth for Sydney passengers. For Melbourne passengers it will be half that (so not 25.5 hours more like 22.5) and QF could retime the Sydney flight by an hour or so.  It will depend on loads and demand. For Canberra there is a nice connection coming back but not going. So I will give it a try coming back and with following winds less time in the air. Note the Dallas flight often spends 17 plus hours in the air against the wind.

Qantas - QFF Platinum

20 Mar 2012

Total posts 211

I'm Melbourne based, will definitely give Perth a try but my initial impression is that I will probably use it more for the return LHR-PER-MEL. I prefer flying out in the evenings and getting to London/Europe in the afternoon.

PK
PK

03 May 2012

Total posts 121

That iPod and Filofax tell the whole Skybed story. 

AT
AT

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

14 Sep 2012

Total posts 381

All good things in their time :)

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

18 Dec 2016

Total posts 30

I'm probably going to fly direct, seeing as I live in Perth. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

23 Oct 2013

Total posts 702

Whilst I agree the transit process in Sydney is a bit of a hassle I do have to say that Qantas have tried to make it as easy as possible.


The bus shows up roughly every 10-15 minutes and gets you over their quickly without an expensive train ticket/traffic on the road and more recently everyone gets given an express pass for security before you board the bus.

27 Apr 2017

Total posts 39

For MEL-based travellers to LHR who enjoy using their points to upgrade from either Y to J or J to F, the changes are an enormous disappointment. 

For Y to J upgrades, there is now far fewer J seats available to LHR, which means they will be even harder to come by. Not only is there a greater risk of not getting the upgrade, but there is also a greater disincentive if that occurs -- 17+ hours in Y without a break.

For J to F upgrades, there is now far fewer F seats available to LHR and they are only available with the addition of a stop (SYD) and an unappealing DOM-INT transfer.

To answer the question posed by the article: I will be burning through my QF points then switching to SQ.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

31 Jan 2014

Total posts 14

Absolutely agree levelnine!

12 Feb 2015

Total posts 91

And then there's the problem that you can no longer leave Melbourne after work, which is possible on the existing QF9 and how and why I have connected from Canberra.

Joe
Joe

03 May 2013

Total posts 670

Being Sydney based, Perth no way. Miss out on SYD F lounge and A380 super inflight experience. Sorry but even the 787 doesn't provide same levels of comfort. When the new J class is installed in the A380's this is even more of a no brainer.

QANTAS

12 Jun 2014

Total posts 22

I'm very tempted to fly MEL-SYD-DXB-LHR (in at least one direction) to still get the A380 experience and pocket more SCs I think than MEL-PER-LHR. The A380 is fine and if you don't like the seats a refurb would fix that.

Hoping now that the estimate of direct London flights from the East Coast in 2022 is actually accurate. I expect it'll be some more years away than that though but we'll see.


Going to have to enjoy MEL-DXB-LHR return whilst I still can.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

28 Feb 2014

Total posts 144

Not from Brisbane I won't be. Too long to travel, better lounges going via HKG or SIN. Have some downtime in a nice lounge before continuing to LHR. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

02 Apr 2017

Total posts 134

Yea no way from Brisbane. A Darwin stopover yes, but Perth is too far in the wrong direction. Etihad, Emirates, Korean, Singapore...too many better choices.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1424

Djcz, Not sure how you can say there are better lounges in HKG or SIN. They haven't built the one in Perth yet (but the the plans look fine) , or is there someting the rest of us dont know.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

06 Sep 2012

Total posts 235

Unless I have business in Perth or a pair of return business/premium economy tickets fall magically into my hands I'm sticking with my Singapore stopover.  As comfortable as the dreamliner is made to be, 17+ hours in 17.2 inch width economy seats with only 32inch seat pitch = literal hell + increased risk in DVT

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

14 Feb 2017

Total posts 25

For the price conscious company, definitely not via PER at the current prices for J.


In certain situations you may be able to justify spending a few extra thousand to save a couple of hours depending on timings of your meetings.

QF

11 Jul 2014

Total posts 966

Wait for it, 2019 will see super cheap discounted seats Perth to London on QF after the fan fair is gone. VA has got the right idea doing Melbourne - Hong Kong - London. If I booked my wife on Perth - London I wouldn't get there in one piece.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

03 Jan 2013

Total posts 59

VA do not fly to LHR (only as far as HKG and even then it's only 4 times a week and on those days the times are different).

VA past performance would not give me any confidence at all - they drop in and out of their route offerings as soon as they start losing money (which is often).

JBL
JBL

01 Jun 2016

Total posts 60

Did you comment enough times?

QF

11 Jul 2014

Total posts 966

Must be a stuttering problem or maybe alzheimers

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Jun 2011

Total posts 88

Book a trip in March/April 2018 to Europe. Heading over on the new service SYD-MEL-PER-LHR but coming back via DXB to warm up DUB-DXB-SYD

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

15 Mar 2016

Total posts 167

I would much prefer the A380 however hate the timing of QF1/2 so unless that changes I guess I'll go via PER!

RSD
RSD

Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer

12 Dec 2016

Total posts 5

It has to be said that the much talked about DXB EK Lounge is an absolute bunfight. Every time I've used it, latest time 2 weeks ago, my wife and I struggled to get a seat and usually it's a fair way from food etc. I would gladly miss it and the overall madness at DXB. Bring on the direct LHR services ex Perth I reckon. 

25 Sep 2013

Total posts 1245

Were you in the first or business lounge?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

21 Jul 2013

Total posts 57

As ever, in all this Qantas remains Sydney Airlines, but on another topic, after much flying internationally on both B787 and A380 I find all the hype attached to the 787 complete nonsense. Maybe it's the quality of Boeing's PR efforts or they serve stronger Kool-Aid, but to me at least the endless uncritical praise of the 787 ignores the fact that the A380 is streets ahead in comfort, amenity, quietness and a general feeling of substance. Older seats and all, given a choice between them I would go A380 every time. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

28 Oct 2011

Total posts 464

.....if only it was streets ahead in reliability .......

04 May 2016

Total posts 34

The only reasonable MEL options are simple:
SQ MEL-SIN-LHR
or
TG MEL-BKK-LHR
Multiple flights daily.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

03 Jan 2013

Total posts 59

What about MH, QR, EK, EY, CX - they all fly from MEL?

The there's the Chinese carriers.
What makes all of these options un-reasonable?

Qantas

22 Oct 2012

Total posts 319

What's more, there are currently 28 First seats each day from Australia to Heathrow.  Next year it'll be only 14 on QF1, and when they refurbish the A380s it'll apparently be down to 12.

SKP
SKP

26 Aug 2015

Total posts 1

I regularly fly Qatar to Europe and USA, but recently flew QF MEL-PER-MEL  in J, (332) the single toilet for 28 pax is a joke, the red light was on more than off.


With their forthcoming 789, Qantas has 3 loos for 42 Business and 28 Premium Economy sharing = 70 , a ratio of 23.7 :1 

Imagine the queue at the loos in the morning coming into London after an 18 hour flight !


Qatar in their 788 have 2 loos for 22 Business.


 I was not impressed with the Qantas seats either, I could not get comfortable, even on a 4 hour flight, the leg rest catches you right in the middle of the calf muscle, unless you go to the very low fully flat position.

I would hate to spend 17 hours in it.


The similar to look at Qatar 787 and A350 Business seats are much more comfortabl

24 Apr 2014

Total posts 271

If MEL to LHR via PER can 


1) run to schedule and
2) I can clear Immigration in MEL and 
3) the Perth transit time is minimal

 I will use it everytime as I don't enjoy Dubai for transiting.

16 Mar 2017

Total posts 5

What is the LHR-PER-MEL timetable.

Will there be an alternative flight LHR-Dubai-MEL

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

28 Oct 2011

Total posts 464

Yes, OK EK with QF codeshare

AT
AT

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

14 Sep 2012

Total posts 381

787 is there and abouts same same size as A330, and I wouldn't choose that from Sydney to London via Perth in a pink fit, no matter where I was sitting. 

CP
CP

SilkAir - KrisFlyer

28 Mar 2017

Total posts 17

I changed from SQ to QF a few years ago but this change will see this Melbourne based F flyer rush back to SQ - all is forgiven!  Points are not an issue, but comfort and flexibility is.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

03 Jan 2013

Total posts 59

It's called choice.

You have far more options now with QF than you've had in 20 years.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

28 Oct 2011

Total posts 464

I will do BNE-MEL-PER-LHR next year to give it a go.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

18 Feb 2017

Total posts 24

Doesn't BNE > PER > LHR make more sense for you?

15 Sep 2012

Total posts 93

How reliable are flights via Perth going to be? What happens when Perth  is closed due weather? It is notorious  for fog and storms! Nearest  diversion is Learmonth over 500 miles away! Can qantas 787 fly London  to Perth, hold for a while , and divert to Learmonth.  Diversion  would screw up schedules  massively as only timetabled for 90 minute turnarounds in Perth  and Melbourne  before flying to LAX. I can see many of these flights running  late with London  to Perth  having to divert enroute for fuel. How will Perth's extreme summer  temps affect performance  on flight to London? Reliability is going to be a major factor in choosing flights!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

18 Feb 2017

Total posts 24

Oh please, I live in Perth and our weather is amazing. The fog and storms you mention are so rare we welcome them... of all the places to be wary of the weather, Perth is not one of them. Except if you forget your zinc cream 😃

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

26 May 2014

Total posts 467

Fog can cause diversions from Perth, but it is mostly early morning and would be very rare for the afternoon and evening timings of QF9/10.  Further, Perth Airport ILS will be upgraded to CAT 3 by June next year.  Diversions due to storms are even rarer.  

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Sep 2013

Total posts 187

Are  you serious?

23 Feb 2015

Total posts 262

So many OW options from Melbourne, days of QF flying to the club to LHR are done. 


JAL, CX and UL will all get consideration from here on out.

23 Nov 2012

Total posts 24

Qantas has some stiff competition esp the middle eastern carriers so I can understand Joyce's looking outside the box to remain in the game.  I'd love to fly the roo, but as a BNE local for me, the Perth option is a non starter.  EK via DXB until tempted elsewhere.

30 Oct 2014

Total posts 12

The need to fly the domestic leg from SYD to PER makes it a far less attractive option for SYD based travellers, particularly on the longer, outbound leg. As a major hub there is no need for SYD based travellers to have to connect. QF1 of the EK code shares for me!

QF

04 Apr 2014

Total posts 209

So I don't fly to London but do LAX-Melbourne regularly.  So some December it'll be a straight option, 787 or 380.  For me 380 every time albeit the seats are really Himalayan these days.  For all the hype a 787 is really not much different to a 777 to me.  Nothing especially to get excited about.

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

17 Nov 2014

Total posts 102

If I have to catch Qantas, I will go via Perth since Dubai is dangerous. 

Otherwise I will go via Singapore or Hong Kong and no other ports. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

02 Apr 2017

Total posts 134

What? Dubai has got to be one of the safest cities on the planet.

11 Jun 2016

Total posts 14

No one in their right mind would go via Perth in economy. Business class however this is an interesting discussion. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Dec 2014

Total posts 59

If in Business I would choose the 787, at least until the A380's seats are upgraded.

24 Apr 2014

Total posts 271

I'd do a combo, premium economy to Perth, Business to London

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

29 Apr 2013

Total posts 13

Would fly via Perth of course as I live in Perth, however often travel to Manchester and therefore have choice of Emirates, Qatar and Etihad. Don't want to change at Heathrow for U.K. Domestic.

20 Feb 2012

Total posts 66

While I do not fly in business, the 787 is a much nicer plane from a jet lag perspective - it has better cabin pressure and I believe it uses outside air as opposed to recycled.

If it wasn't for the 9 abreast seating in economy on most airlines, I would choose it every time.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Sep 2013

Total posts 187

My comments above were directed to aniljak..


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