Qantas launches major change in time for the Paris Olympics

Qantas has launched non-stop flights from Australia to Paris for the first time ever just in time for the Olympics. 

The airline's  first direct flight took off from Perth at 7.35pm on Sunday and travelled 14,264 kilometres before landing in the French capital at 6:55am on Monday.

The 17-and-a-half-hour Perth-to-Paris flight is the world's sixth-longest and shaves three hours off what had previously been the quickest option.

Another two hours and 45 minutes is clipped off for the Paris-to-Perth trip, making the total airtime for a return flight almost six hours shorter than it had been.

Captain Phil Paterson was in the cockpit for the first flight and announced to the cabin upon takeoff that 'rule number one is: don't run into the Eiffel Tower.' 

This is the first time in 20 years Qantas has flown to Paris and it will be offering four flights per week during the European summer and 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson said that a 'significant increase' in passengers asking for non-stop direct flight led to the airline expanding its options.

'In recent years we have seen a significant increase in customers wanting to fly direct on long haul routes and avoiding stop overs wherever possible,' she said.

'Our direct flights from Perth to London and Rome have some of the highest customer satisfaction on our international network.  

'With these new flights, our customers can depart Perth in the evening and arrive in Paris in time to enjoy brunch overlooking the Eiffel Tower.'  

Qantas now has three direct routes between Australia and Europe after launching its Perth-Rome flight in 2022 and it's Perth-London in 2018.

Western Australia's Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said 23,000 French tourists visited the state in 2023.

The new direct flight will open up an additional 75,000 seats between Europe and Perth annually.

'Not only is this an important link between WA and France, it will also provide better connections for dozens of other European destinations, boosting tourism opportunities across the region,' Ms Saffioti said.

'Perth will be the gateway to Paris for Australia. 

'Reconnecting WA with the rest of the world has been a major focus for us since borders reopened post-pandemic'

Qantas' new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft will fly between Perth and Paris four times per week up until mid-August, after which it will be reduced to three.

The plane carries 236 passengers across its business, premium economy and economy sections.   

Qantas Creative Director of Food, Beverage and Service, Neil Perry, created a French-themed menu for passengers travelling in business class.

The dinner service includes a pumpkin and ginger soup with chive crème fraiche, sourdough and Pep Saya butter and fresh green leaf salad to start.

The main dish is a coq au vin with pancetta, mushroom, potato puree and snow peas which is followed by a rum savarin with Chantilly cream and berries to finish.    

A specially curated selection of French movies will also be available across the international inflight system throughout July to celebrate the occasion.

Qantas first launched Australia-to-Europe flights in 1947 and at the time it took four days and seven stops to get from Sydney to London.

The airliner is looking to get flights to Europe running from the east coast again with its 'Project Sunrise' which hopes to bring non-stop flights to cities other than Perth. 

Project Sunrise has been delayed by aircraft delivery and certification but is expected to achieve its goal in two years.