Passenger on 1st Australia-U.K. direct flight says the 17-hour journey was 'amazing'
First-class travellers got free Qantas Airways pyjamas, and everyone had access to a self-serve pantry
The earliest airline routes between Australia and the U.K. subjected travellers to several days worth of stopovers and plane changes.
But now, a non-stop journey along the so-called "Kangaroo Route" is a reality after the inaugural Qantas Airways flight landed in London yesterday — 17 hours after departing from Perth, Australia.
"It is a history-making flight," passenger Wayne Kwong told As It Happens host Carol Off.
"The atmosphere — before departure, during the flight and after — it was amazing."
Kwong and his fellow passengers — who included Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, several politicians and a large contingent of international journalists — were treated to a number of special amenities in order to ease the journey.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner featured larger windows and improved cabin humidity to fight the effects of jet lag.
"The lighting of the ceiling changes according to the time of the day, and it does help," Kwong said. "And also the humidity is a little bit higher so you don't feel so dried up at the end of the flight."
One highlight of the journey, Kwong said, was the self-serve pantry in the back of the plane where passengers could stretch their legs and chat.
"All the passengers tend to gather there to help themselves with drinks, with whatever snacks they have in the pantry," he said. "So that was a nice point for gathering during the flight."
Decided to celebrate this flight <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QF9?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QF9</a> with a Bloody Mary instead of champagne! All the research that went into the design of the meals has proven to work. <a href="https://twitter.com/Qantas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Qantas</a> <a href="https://t.co/QRbbOOAc3V">pic.twitter.com/QRbbOOAc3V</a>
—@waynewykwongBut even Kwong, who describes himself as an "aviation geek," had a few complaints about his economy-class experience.
"The seats are a little bit narrow and I'm quite broad-shouldered," Kwong said.
Business class passengers didn't have that worry, however.
Those lucky enough to sit up front reportedly got two windows and a seat that converted into a flat bed for sleeping — complete with a set of Qantas pyjamas.
As a mere economy passenger, Kwong wasn't entitled to his own PJs — but he did get a glimpse of a few business class flyers wandering around in their cozy duds.
"It's quite fun with a huge kangaroo, the Qantas logo, in silver on black. It was quite sharp," he said. "Even Alan Joyce, the CEO, was doing that."
Written by Julian Uzielli. Interview produced by Sarah Jackson.