Qantas Commits to More Ultra-Long-Haul Flying in 2026
Photo Credit: A Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner Vincenzo Pace / Vincenzo Pace
Skift Take
As competition heats up from Gulf and Chinese carriers, Qantas is betting that nonstop wins, even if it means 16+ hours in the middle seat.
Qantas is doubling down in the ultra-long-haul air market. The Australian carrier will boost capacity on its 16-hour Perth to Rome service by almost 50% next year.
Launched in 2022 as the first scheduled nonstop flight between Australia and continental Europe, the Rome route has grown to become one of Qantas' flagship offerings.
Subject to final regulatory approval, the carrier will extend the seasonal route by eight weeks and increase weekly frequencies during the peak summer months from three to four, adding more than 40 flights and close to 10,000 extra seats.
The move is more than just a network update; it’s the latest signal that Qantas is seeing results from its big bet on ultra-long-haul flying that bypasses traditional hubs.
By offering flights to Europe from Western Australia, Qantas is disrupting a market dominated by stopovers in Singap
