Qantas: Opens route to Rome via Perth in 2022

Do you mean I have an alternative to flying Qatar Airways next time I want to go to Rome?

Seasonal route

Yes! Well at least on a seasonal basis from 22 June to 3 October Qantas will be flying 3 direct services per week from Australia (via Perth) to the eternal city Rome, cutting 3 hours off the other fastest alternative, using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. You can match this up with Qantas’s only other ‘European’ destination, London, allowing you to arrive at one city, say Rome, and depart via another – say London.

“Italy is the largest market for us in continental Europe for people visiting family and friends from Australia and we think customers will love flying direct to one of the world’s great cities to spend time with loved ones or enjoy Italy.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce

Now on Sale, plus Points Planes

Fares for Rome are on sale today with the lowest economy seat going for AU$1785 return.

Qantas is also offering two ‘Points Planes’ (bookable ’til 21 December 2021) with every seat in every cabin available to book as a reward seat on the inaugural flight to Rome on 22 June and on the first flight departing Rome on 23 June.

New year, new routes

One thing COVID-19 seems t have done is shake up traditional routes and destinations. As well as a slew of new domestic routes, which some say is a way of cutting off new airline hopefully, Bonza at the pass, Qantas has also introduced two new international routes: Delhi, and now Rome.

As the return to flying accelerates, we may get some more new destinations, although Qantas has already started with the top 2.

2PAXfly Takeout

The aviation industry has a difficult road ahead when it comes to sustainability. It’s going to require a relative revolution in technology, with ‘electric planes’ or hydrogen planes, or some form of jet engine that doesn’t require a carbon based fuel. And that is going to require the development of an alternative to jet engines probably.

It’s a big ask. It will take time to develop.

This move to home grown and manufactured SAF is a first step – maybe even a baby step in a very long road of innovation. In the long run, US$200 million won’t even touch the sides.

A favourite city, not to mention a favourite country (note to self: re-enrol in Italian language classes) is now available direct from Australia on Qantas. Depening on price, I’d still be tempted to choose the airline that services this Italian capital with an Airbus A380, even if it involved an extra 3 hours.