Qantas operated the first nonstop passenger service from London to Sydney in 1989.
The record-setting flight used a Boeing 747-400 and took place on 29 August 1989. The aircraft carried passengers from London to Sydney without a scheduled stop, demonstrating the long-range capability of the newly introduced 747-400.
The flight was not a regular daily service at first. It was a special demonstration and promotional operation, and the aircraft carried a reduced passenger load to maximize range. The westbound journey from Sydney to London was longer than the eastbound trip because of prevailing winds.
Modern Qantas services have continued to push the limits of nonstop travel, including Project Sunrise plans for ultra-long-haul routes. The 1989 flight, however, was the first nonstop passenger link between the two cities.