Direct Australia flights on the cards from Virgin

Virgin Atlantic is likely to offer non-stop flights to Australia now that it has put in an order for fuel-efficient Dreamliner aircraft.

The airline has ordered up to 43 Boeing 787 jets, which can travel further without having to stop for refuelling.

A huge distance between the UK and Australia means that aircraft currently have to stop at destinations such as Singapore part-way along the 'kangaroo route', but Virgin Atlantic is set to change all that.

The Dreamliner planes will make 17-hour flights from London to Australia economically viable, with flights to Perth likely to begin at first.

Direct flights to Melbourne and Sydney could also be on the cards, as could services from London to Hawaii.

Other benefits that the Dreamliner will bring include "the biggest windows in the air, giving all passengers clear views of the horizon; and an even better cabin environment, including higher ceilings and larger luggage bins".

Virgin Atlantic chairman Sir Richard Branson announced the £4 billion Dreamliner order yesterday (April 25) in Chicago, the home of Boeing.

Australian flag-carrier Qantas had previously considered operating direct flights to the UK using Boeing 777s, but decided that it would not be viable because of increased fuel requirements.

© Adfero Ltd