Qantas to launch first non-stop flight from UK to Australia

[Arthurgray50@blu]

http://www.itv.com/news/2016-12-11/q...-to-australia/

How can a plane fly for all that time, when they have to land half way to refuel.

Answers please

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

http://www.itv.com/news/2016-12-11/q...-to-australia/

How can a plane fly for all that time, when they have to land half way to refuel.

Answers please

Simple answer is that it doesn't have to land for fuel ,the Dreamliner is a massive plane and can carry enough fuel for the journey

[nomadking]

This one doesn't stop at the moment and is nearly as far.

The current longest non-stop scheduled flight is Emirates Airlines' 14,200-kilometre Dubai-to-Auckland, New Zealand, service, which takes 16 hours 35 minutes in an Airbus A380.

[Hom3r]

The answer is the engines are very fuel efficient, and what the plane is made of, Composite material.

Even thought it will take around 17 hours you can add to that the requirements to fly longer in the even of its primary airport being unavailable and it requirements to go elsewhere.

[rhyds]

Yep, developments in aircraft (less power needed for the same speed/altitude), materials (less weight for the same strength) and engine (less fuel needed for the same power) design mean its technically possible, and it seems that Qantas has made the passenger/economics side work as well.

Thread title updated.

---------- Post added at 22:11 ---------- Previous post was at 22:10 ----------

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

How can a plane fly for all that time, when they have to land half way to refuel.
Answers please

The question is nonsense.

They dont have to land half way, thats kinda the point

[Arthurgray50@blu]

Paul, I was always under the impression that flights to say Australia and New Zealand. Planes had to land say about Singapore or Chin to refuel. Before going forward.

The Dreamliner must be a bloody big plane

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

Paul, I was always under the impression that flights to say Australia and New Zealand. Planes had to land say about Singapore or Chin to refuel. Before going forward.

The Dreamliner must be a bloody big plane

Here you go Arthur.

https://dreamliner.qantas.com/

[Stephen]

Arthur its simple really, older planes had a stop over to refuel, mainly as a precautionary measure.

Newer planes are more fuel efficient and are larger so by default can take on more fuel.

Same way new cars can travel further on a tank of fuel then cars made 30 odd years ago.

[mrmistoffelees]

Mid air petrol stations ? Complete with over priced coffee/burger outlets... Just watch your step is all

There are planes that can refuel midair. A refueling plane docks on top.

[mrmistoffelees]

Originally Posted by Damien

There are planes that can refuel midair. A refueling plane docks on top.

No, thats how they make baby planes........

[pip08456]

Originally Posted by Damien

There are planes that can refuel midair. A refueling plane docks on top.

The Air Force has been using mid-air refuelling for years. This is not what they Dreamliner is about though.

Dreamliner is not bigger than others but is more efficient and carries less passengers so costwise would be a good proposition for the business community who have to travel in less time and those who can afford it.

We'll have to see ticket costs first but expect them to have a premium for the reduced travel time.

[Mr K]

Main risk will not be the plane, but deep vein thrombosis in the passengers..

[Kursk]

Originally Posted by Mr K

Main risk will not be the plane, but deep vein thrombosis in the passengers..

A very valid point. Lycra clad stewardesses will need to give in-flight aerobics sessions .