<strong>Flying Down Under: </strong>Once upon a time, in a more romantic if ultimately slower and less efficient era, high-rolling passengers could make the marathon journey from London to Perth, Australia in a luxury flying boat.
Flying Down Under: Once upon a time, in a more romantic if ultimately slower and less efficient era, high-rolling passengers could make the marathon journey from London to Perth, Australia in a luxury flying boat.
Courtesy Qantas - colorized by Benoit Vienne
<strong>Promenade deck: </strong>The trip was an adventure in itself, taking 10 days and 37 stops, leaving plenty of time for in-flight strolling on the promenade deck and pointing at dirty marks on the window.
Promenade deck: The trip was an adventure in itself, taking 10 days and 37 stops, leaving plenty of time for in-flight strolling on the promenade deck and pointing at dirty marks on the window.
Courtesy Qantas - colorized by Benoit Vienne
<strong>Time to type: </strong>Some used the time to work, much like on long-haul flights today but with a typewriter instead of a tablet.
Time to type: Some used the time to work, much like on long-haul flights today but with a typewriter instead of a tablet.
Qantas -- colorized by Benoit Vienne
<strong>In-flight entertainment: </strong>Others kept their golf game sharp.
In-flight entertainment: Others kept their golf game sharp.
Courtesy Qantas - colorized by Benoit Vienne
<strong>Broken journey: </strong>The early journeys were in two parts -- Southampton, England, to Darwin, Australia, in a Short C Class flying boat, before transferring to local carrier MacRobertson Miller Airlines (MMA) for the trip to Perth in a puddle-jumping DH-84.
Broken journey: The early journeys were in two parts -- Southampton, England, to Darwin, Australia, in a Short C Class flying boat, before transferring to local carrier MacRobertson Miller Airlines (MMA) for the trip to Perth in a puddle-jumping DH-84.
Courtesy West Australian Newspapers - colorized by Benoit Vienne.
<strong>Air con: </strong>The larger "state-of-the-art" DH-86 was a later improvement on the Darwin to Perth leg. The twisty air con nozzle didn't work then, either.
Air con: The larger "state-of-the-art" DH-86 was a later improvement on the Darwin to Perth leg. The twisty air con nozzle didn't work then, either.
Courtesy Qantas - colorized by Benoit Vienne
<strong>Super Constellation: </strong>The flying boats were superseded by converted Lancaster bombers and then pressurized four-engine Lockheed Constellations. In 1958, Qantas was the first airline to launch a round-the-world service with the Super Constellation.
Super Constellation: The flying boats were superseded by converted Lancaster bombers and then pressurized four-engine Lockheed Constellations. In 1958, Qantas was the first airline to launch a round-the-world service with the Super Constellation.
Courtesy Qantas -- colorized by Benoît Vienne
<strong>Drinking it in: </strong>The "Super Connie" cut the four-day traveling time on the "Kangaroo Route" to 54 hours and 30 minutes, which still left enough time for a glass of red in bed.
Drinking it in: The "Super Connie" cut the four-day traveling time on the "Kangaroo Route" to 54 hours and 30 minutes, which still left enough time for a glass of red in bed.
Courtesy Qantas - colorized by Benoit Vienne
<strong>Chrome Comet: </strong>The shiny-winged De Havilland Comet 4 joined the BOAC fleet in September 1958.
Chrome Comet: The shiny-winged De Havilland Comet 4 joined the BOAC fleet in September 1958.
Courtesy Geoffrey Thomas Collection -- colorized by Benoit Vienne
<strong>Cabin clutter: </strong>From the exclusive luxury of the flying boats, the more recognizable cattle class of today was taking shape.
Cabin clutter: From the exclusive luxury of the flying boats, the more recognizable cattle class of today was taking shape.
Courtesy Geoffrey Thomas Collection - colorized by Benoit Vienne
<strong>Balancing act: </strong>But the high-flying jets offered a much smoother ride, which the airline was very keen to advertise with a series of completely unstaged pictures.
Balancing act: But the high-flying jets offered a much smoother ride, which the airline was very keen to advertise with a series of completely unstaged pictures.
Courtesy Geoffrey Thomas Collection - colorized by Benoit Vienne
<strong>Boeing 707: </strong>Australia's Qantas, meanwhile, had gone for the mid-sized Boeing 707.
Boeing 707: Australia's Qantas, meanwhile, had gone for the mid-sized Boeing 707.
Courtesy Boeing Historical Archives
<strong>Air advance: </strong>In turn, BOAC ordered Rolls-Royce-powered 707s. The chrome finish was still very much in vogue.
Air advance: In turn, BOAC ordered Rolls-Royce-powered 707s. The chrome finish was still very much in vogue.
Courtesy Boeing Historical Archives
<strong>Longer range: </strong>BOAC then introduced the Vickers VC-10 on routes to Australia in the 1960s and 70s. As technology improved, the greater range meant stopovers such as Darwin could be dropped.
Longer range: BOAC then introduced the Vickers VC-10 on routes to Australia in the 1960s and 70s. As technology improved, the greater range meant stopovers such as Darwin could be dropped.
Courtesy Geoffrey Thomas Collection
<strong>Jumbo era: </strong>The jumbo era began in 1971 with Qantas's first Boeing 747-200. Two stops were still required, though.
Jumbo era: The jumbo era began in 1971 with Qantas's first Boeing 747-200. Two stops were still required, though.
Courtesy Boeing Historical Archives
<strong>Top deck: </strong>Qantas was very proud of its First Class Captain Cook lounge on the upper deck, but it didn't last long and was soon replaced by seats.
Top deck: Qantas was very proud of its First Class Captain Cook lounge on the upper deck, but it didn't last long and was soon replaced by seats.
Courtesy Boeing Historical Archives
In 1989, the more powerful and economical engines of Qantas' Boeing 747-400 enabled the airline to introduce one-stop flights between the UK and Australia.
In 1989, the more powerful and economical engines of Qantas' Boeing 747-400 enabled the airline to introduce one-stop flights between the UK and Australia.
Courtesy Craig Murray
The final link in the chain is Qantas' new Boeing 787 which has shrunk flights to a non-stop 17-hour dash between the UK and Australia. Onboard golf is not allowed.
The final link in the chain is Qantas' new Boeing 787 which has shrunk flights to a non-stop 17-hour dash between the UK and Australia. Onboard golf is not allowed.
Courtesy Qantas