LHR-SYD Non-stop B787
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LHR-SYD Non-stop B787
Currently (14th November 2019) a B787 of Qantas is flying between London and Sydney nonstop in approximately 19 hours. VH-ZNJ if you want to see it's position on the flight tracker sites. A celebration of 100 years in the aviation business for Qantas.
There seems little doubt that it's going to break the previous LHR-SYD non-stop record, also set by Qantas 30 years ago with a B744.
As of 10 minutes ago, it had just under 3,000 nm to run and about 6 hours 45 minutes in which to make it.
As of 10 minutes ago, it had just under 3,000 nm to run and about 6 hours 45 minutes in which to make it.
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The record was broken, total flight time 19hrs and 19mins, which is pretty impressive. I'm not sure I'd want to be in an aircraft for so long, but I'm sure that there are many who would use the service. Anyway, well done Qantas and Boeing!
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When I was living near Capetown in the mid 1970s, I turned up at Capetown airport early one morning to watch the arrival of South African Airways' first 747SP. I don't remember all the numbers etc but this aircraft had flown non-stop from Seattle. In order to do this, most of the seats had been removed and additional fuel tanks installed and I seem to remember it was carrying 14 crew. A heck of a long flight!
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Well done Qantas, the world is still shrinking! 
Longest I've done is 13 odd hours to Hong Kong - or was it back? - and that was more than long enough, even in the relative comfort of business class.
Longest I've done is 13 odd hours to Hong Kong - or was it back? - and that was more than long enough, even in the relative comfort of business class.
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Pax or Crew, I’ll swerve this one thanks!
OMAA
Unfortunately an 0600 local time departure from London meant zero (that I saw) media publicity here. Journalists don't get up that early !
So I didn't see it go either. But I did see its predecessor 747 some 30 years ago, which passed right over our office at a much more civil time just before 0900 a few miles into its run, notably low actually. The track of the 747 was quite different, over the Middle East and (I think) south of Singapore. The 787 seems to have gone south of Moscow and overhead Hong Kong. Wonder what the mileage difference was. Shame the captain of the 747 passed away not long ago, and couldn't be on board today. There was an interesting account on the Web (can't find it now) by the steward of the 747 flight, with details of all the catering they provided.
So I didn't see it go either. But I did see its predecessor 747 some 30 years ago, which passed right over our office at a much more civil time just before 0900 a few miles into its run, notably low actually. The track of the 747 was quite different, over the Middle East and (I think) south of Singapore. The 787 seems to have gone south of Moscow and overhead Hong Kong. Wonder what the mileage difference was. Shame the captain of the 747 passed away not long ago, and couldn't be on board today. There was an interesting account on the Web (can't find it now) by the steward of the 747 flight, with details of all the catering they provided.
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It looks like they flew very close to the great circle route - nearly 300 nm shorter than via the Gulf:
Great Circle Mapper
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I'm sure it will be an sufficiently attractive option for the relatively younger generation of passengers. I'm not sure if the oldies will be that enthusiastic though. Speaking for myself I find 12.5 hours more than enough at my age. I much prefer to break a trip to Oz and back with a 1 or 2 day stopover in Singapore.
Sobelena,
I think at any age, it's a bit much. The longest flight I've done is Los Angeles to Bangkok. I don't remember the exact time, but it was around 17 hours.
I remember it was longer than usual because we had to deviate around two big lows in the Bering Sea. We flew north out of Los Angeles, crossed into Canada and eventually coasted-out over the Yukon into the Beaufort Sea! Made landfall over Siberia, flew over the Sea of Ohkotsk, into China, with the obligatory rerouting in the Bejing area and then down to the Land of Smiles. How to cross the Pacific without flying over it!
I don't need a stopover, but I do find a change of plane is nice, just to be able to walk around, even if it adds a few hours to the journey.
I think at any age, it's a bit much. The longest flight I've done is Los Angeles to Bangkok. I don't remember the exact time, but it was around 17 hours.
I remember it was longer than usual because we had to deviate around two big lows in the Bering Sea. We flew north out of Los Angeles, crossed into Canada and eventually coasted-out over the Yukon into the Beaufort Sea! Made landfall over Siberia, flew over the Sea of Ohkotsk, into China, with the obligatory rerouting in the Bejing area and then down to the Land of Smiles. How to cross the Pacific without flying over it!
I don't need a stopover, but I do find a change of plane is nice, just to be able to walk around, even if it adds a few hours to the journey.
Last edited by India Four Two; 15th Nov 2019 at 16:47.
I've done the run from MAN-LHR-SIN-SYD, and then on to Brisbane all in one hit. Took a while but I would much rather cut out the middle men and go direct, non-stop. Only in Business though. Economy? Forget it.
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Turin
Done Singapore - New York (Newark) once on 340 all Business Class. Not sure I would want to London - Sydney even in Business or First if Qantas have it ! Also only flown with them once, and not impressed.
Cheers
Mr Mac
Done Singapore - New York (Newark) once on 340 all Business Class. Not sure I would want to London - Sydney even in Business or First if Qantas have it ! Also only flown with them once, and not impressed.
Cheers
Mr Mac
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Double_Sunrise
Thread Starter
When I was living near Capetown in the mid 1970s, I turned up at Capetown airport early one morning to watch the arrival of South African Airways' first 747SP. I don't remember all the numbers etc but this aircraft had flown non-stop from Seattle. In order to do this, most of the seats had been removed and additional fuel tanks installed and I seem to remember it was carrying 14 crew. A heck of a long flight!
