Qantas to run first direct flights from Europe to Australia

Australian airline Qantas has confirmed it will begin non-stop flights between Europe and the country for the first time in 2018, with a new route between London and the western city of Perth.

The service will take passengers almost 15,000 kilometres and will last around 17 hours, depending on weather conditions.

Until the route becomes active, there will have been no regular service between the two continents, with passengers currently having to make a stopover in Asian transport hubs such as Dubai or Kuala Lumpur.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said that the new route will open up a variety of new possibilities for travellers going both ways.

"When Qantas created the Kangaroo Route to London in 1947, it took four days and nine stops," Joyce said in a statement. "Now it will take just 17 hours from Perth non-stop."

The flights will make use of the airline's new 787-9 Dreamliner plane, and could run as many as 14 times per week.

"This is a game-changing route flown by a game-changing aircraft. Australians have never had a direct link to Europe before, so the opportunities this opens up are huge."

"A direct flight makes travelling to Australia a much more attractive proposition to millions of people. We expect many travellers from Europe will start their time in Australia with a visit to Perth before going on to see other parts of the country."