As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games are about to commence, the iconic tail-wing livery of Qantas, affectionately known as the Flying Kangaroo, is returning triumphantly to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport after two decades. The airline’s inaugural non-stop flight to Paris, perfectly timed with the upcoming Olympics, departed from Perth on Friday evening, signifying a remarkable achievement in ultra-long-haul aviation.

A Timely Return

The launch of the new route coincides with the lead-up to the Paris Olympic Games, which begin on 26 July with a spectacular opening ceremony on and along the Seine River, culminating below the Eiffel Tower. Australian Olympic athletes will be among the first passengers on the Perth-to-Paris route, symbolizing the strong ties between sports and travel.

Breaking Records

The new route will take an estimated 17 hours and 20 minutes, making it the world’s sixth-longest commercial route. It is the airline’s third non-stop route from Australia to Europe, joining Perth-London and Perth-Rome in its network. Qantas now flies four of the top 10 longest routes in the world, demonstrating its commitment to pushing the boundaries of long-haul travel.

Comfort in the Skies

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the aircraft chosen for the route, is known for its passenger-friendly features, such as air cabin pressure closer to that experienced on the ground and higher humidity on board, making it more forgiving of jet lag than most other passenger aircraft.

A Taste of France in the Air

To enhance the travel experience, business-class passengers will be issued commemorative, limited-edition, blue-and-red Qantas pyjamas. All passengers will also be offered Gallic-style dishes from a special French-themed menu created by chef Neil Perry, such as Nicoise salad and a bouillabaisse of snapper and prawns in business class and a beef bourguignon with green beans, carrots, and potato mash in economy.

Looking Ahead

Qantas will operate four flights a week between Perth and Paris during the peak of the European summer, with the number of services dropping to three a week in mid-August, a few days after the Olympics finish. The next great leap for the Flying Kangaroo will come when it realizes its Project Sunrise plans for non-stop, up to 22-hour flights from Australia’s east coast to London and New York aboard a new Airbus A350-1000, the delivery of which is now delayed until mid-2026.

The return of the Flying Kangaroo to Paris marks a new era of ultra-long-haul travel, demonstrating Qantas’ commitment to innovation and customer service. As the world becomes more connected, Qantas is leading the way in making the world a smaller place.