Qantas to launch direct flights from Rome to Perth
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If you’d asked me where Qantas would base its second direct non-stop flight to Australia, following the launch of London Heathrow to Perth, I would not have picked Rome.
Rome it is, however.
From 22nd June to 6th October, Qantas will fly three times per week from Rome to Perth. The aircraft will continue to Sydney.
The flights use a Boeing 787-9. The aircraft has to stop in Perth because it is not possible for a fully laden Boeing 787-9, or indeed any other standard commercial aircraft, to make the trip directly to Sydney without refuelling.
Qantas has been running a process called ‘Project Sunrise’ for a number of years. It is working with Boeing and Airbus on plans to modify – cheaply – an existing long haul aircraft to make the trip from New York or London to Sydney or Melbourne. Covid has stalled progress but the airline stated last month that it hopes to revive the plans for a 2024/25 launch.
As Qantas is a British Airways partner in the oneworld alliance, you can theoretically redeem Avios for seats on the new non-stop Rome to Perth service. Seats on London to Perth were exceptionally difficult to find, but Qantas may find it harder to sell seats from Rome. That said, demand from its own frequent flyers for reward space will be huge.
Qantas is believed to be planning a partnership with Italy’s new state-owned airline ITA Airways to provide feed from across Italy and much of Europe.
PS. Whilst I mention Perth above, the Heathrow service is currently flying to Darwin due to travel restrictions in Western Australia. These are expected to be eased from April.
PPS. Our guide on how to earn Qantas Points from UK credit cards is here.
How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2024)
As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!
In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.
You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:
Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard
Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review
Barclaycard Avios Mastercard
5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review
There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:
British Airways American Express Premium Plus
25,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review
British Airways American Express
5,000 Avios for signing up and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending £15,000 Read our full review
You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review
The Platinum Card from American Express
40,000 bonus points and a huge range of valuable benefits – for a fee Read our full review
Run your own business?
We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios.
SPECIAL OFFER: Until 12th May 2024, the Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa card is offering a bonus of 30,000 points, convertible into 30,000 Avios. You must have a Limited Company to apply. Click here to learn more and click here to apply.
Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa
Huge 30,000 points bonus until 12th May 2024 Read our full review
You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus.
British Airways Accelerating Business American Express
30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review
There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.
American Express Business Platinum
40,000 points sign-up bonus and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review
American Express Business Gold
20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review
Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.
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