Source : the age
The airline: Qantas
- Route Rome to Perth, flight QF6
- Frequency Daily (seasonal during European summer, until late October)
- Aircraft Boeing 787-9
- Class Business class; seat 4A (window and aisle)
- Flight time 16 hours, 10 minutes (we depart right on time and arrive 25 minutes early)
Checking in
It’s a busy Thursday morning at Fiumicino Airport, but Qantas check-in is peacefully quiet. My suitcase is promptly tagged to my final destination, Melbourne, and I’m reminded to collect the bag in Perth for customs clearance before dropping it off again. Given airspace disruptions in the Middle East, this is currently the only flight between Europe and Australia running non-stop in each direction (Qantas’ Paris flights are detouring through Singapore, and Perth-London flights do the same when flying west). It’s also a peek into Qantas’ Project Sunrise plans, which will connect Sydney and London, non-stop. As for Rome, Qantas uses Plaza Premium’s rather crowded lounge, so I migrate to the tranquil British Airways lounge instead, available via the airlines’ joint partnership.
Loyalty scheme
Qantas Frequent Flyer, Oneworld alliance. Earn at least 14,100 Qantas points and 240 status credits on lead-in business class fares – more on flexible tickets. Classic Reward seats are rare on this route, costing 130,000 Qantas Points plus taxes and charges if you can find one. Classic Plus bookings normally require considerably more points.
Baggage
Pack up to 40 kilograms of checked baggage. This climbs to 52 kilograms for Qantas Club and Qantas Silver, 56 kilograms for Gold, and 60 kilograms for Platinum (maximum 32 kilograms per piece, regardless of status). Cabin baggage is two items at 14 kilograms total – up to 10 kilograms in the heaviest bag.
The seat
There’s direct aisle access for all in this staggered 1-2-1 layout with 60 inches (152 centimetres) of legeroom and a width of 23 inches (58 centimetres). Choose an odd-numbered seat by the window for the best views and added separation from the aisle (I’m in an even-numbered one). A mattress topper, blanket, pillow and pyjamas help offer a good night’s rest – and it works; I doze for about seven hours in the 80-inch (203-centimetre) bed. The massage function also gets a good workout.
Entertainment + tech
The 16-inch (40.6-centimetre) monitor serves up an extensive library of content new and old. Noise-cancelling headphones beat the typical economy headsets but they’re still not much competition against a quality BYO pair. There’s one USB-A socket and one universal AC outlet. Free Wi-Fi is progressively being introduced on Qantas’ Boeing 787 fleet. Today’s aircraft has the antenna, but the system is down … just my luck. I’d hate for that to happen aboard Qantas’ Project Sunrise routes, spanning up to 22 hours from gate to gate.
Service
Delivered with a smile. The captain announces that we’ll be flying over Egypt and the cabin crew are delighted to relay a most important question to the flight deck – whether we might spot any pyramids today. Sadly, haze and distance work against us, but I appreciate the team’s effort to investigate. The views are captivating, even so. (Since my flight, the route has changed to head east from Rome over Turkey, the ’Stans and India.)
Food
Champagne promptly arrives during boarding, followed by another round after take-off with salted nuts. Today’s lunch is a three-course service, and it would seem wrong, departing from Italy, not to start with the arancini. Of the four mains, I opt for the slow braised lamb shoulder with soft polenta, braised cavolo nero (greens) and Sicilian olive salsa. It’s tender and pairs well with a glass of the Stella Bella 2002 cabernet sauvignon. Tiramisu in a glass is on point for dessert and has a strong alcoholic kick.
A soppressata (salami), provolone and pickle panini tides me over mid-flight. Breakfast is pre-ordered before dinner to maximise rest. I enjoy the latte, fruit salad, blood orange juice and sfogliatelle (pastry), although the spinach and ricotta torta is a bit bland.
Sustainability
Qantas is scrapping its climate-conscious Green Tier initiative in December, although travellers will continue earning 10 Qantas points per dollar spent on carbon offsets.*
One more thing
This flight continues to Sydney, but you can terminate in Perth or transit here to other domestic destinations. Be warned, if your domestic connection uses a Boeing 737, business class means a recliner seat, which feels like a downgrade to premium economy after the long flatbed leg. Choose an Airbus A330 connection if you can, or QF6 through to Sydney.
The price
From $14,354 return from Perth to Rome.**
The verdict
Boarding in Rome and alighting on Australian soil is such a time saver, although it’s still a one-stop journey for anyone headed to the east coast, so don’t be shy to shop around for the best deal. Qantas Project Sunrise will change that dynamic, once non-stop flights between Europe and Australia’s east coast become a reality.
Our rating out of five
★★★★
The writer travelled as a guest of Qantas. See qantas.com
*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org
**Fares are based on those available at the time of writing for travel in October 2026 and subject to change.
Melbourne-based journalist and columnist Chris Chamberlin enjoys maximising his points to travel the world in comfort and, as a points coach, helping others to do the same. From showering on a plane to stretching out in a double bed in the sky, Chris knows all the tips for flying in style without breaking the bank. His adventures have taken him on almost 1000 flights aboard more than 80 airlines, earning lifetime frequent flyer status along the way. Follow him on Instagram @chris_chamberlin.Connect via email.
