Airline Review: Qantas’ QF5 connects continental Europe and Australia

Qantas has made plenty of history in its 102 years. Where does the non-stop 787 flight from Perth to Rome fit in?

Qantas Flight QF5 Perth to Rome background

The first non-stop flight between Australia and continental Europe is perhaps its greatest moment. Sure, Perth to London was historic and significant. Connecting a former far-flung colony and motherland is an achievement. It is those deep ties that make it historic, but not that risky or audacious.

Perth non-stop to Rome? That is another story. Sure there are ties but they are not as deep (or as populous) as those with Old Blighty. Hence the route is launching as seasonal, until 6 October in its inaugural year, and a modest three times a week. Qantas has already announced the return of the service for 2023 for an extended season.

The route

Perth to Rome direct. The first time in history that continental Europe and Australia have been connected in a non-stop flight.

Qantas Plane — Qantas has launched the first non-stop flight between Australia and continental Europe.

The aircraft

Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The Dreamliner’s onboard innovations really do improve passenger energy; I am remarkably fresh when I arrive. The Dreamliners will service this flight for the foreseeable future, even after the A350 1000s arrive to service the Sydney-London and Sydney-New York non-stop services.

Class

Business, seat 12F.

The seat you really want in business are the windows – so preferably A or K.

Duration

Pre-departure flight time was reported to be 16.5 hours. The actual flying time was in fact 15.5 hours.

Departing at 10.20pm local time is helpful, assisting in the transition to Rome time.

Flight QF5 actually originates in Sydney, departing at a leisurely 5:55pm. Coincidence or design, I argue this is perfect timing. Keep awake until the Perth-Rome sector.

Check-in

Check-in is available online up to 24 hours beforehand. I check-in at the airport six hours prior to departure and despite a chorus of alarm about the delays and wait times across Australian airports at the time (including yours truly), there is very little delay causing traffic to contend with.

Lounge and pre-departure

The Perth lounge for international departures is in fact the Perth International Transit Lounge.

Small compared to the lounges in Sydney and Melbourne, the lounge has all the usual amenities (plus a surprise, see below).

There are showers, Neil Perry food, Australian premium wines, and a mix of lounge areas; banquettes are complimented by an al fresco cafe-style seating area.

Premium buffet in Qantas Lounge — There is a range of food and dining areas inside the Qantas Lounge.

The major surprise (and in fact a world-first) is the well-being offering in the lounge. In a dedicated room, an instructor takes me through a 15-minute breathing, stretching and mindfulness program that is in fact effective. I feel invigorated and healthy as I head for the gate.

Try a well-being class in the Qantas Lounge before take-off.

The menu in the lounge is designed to start the Dolce Vita early; bruschetta and negronis are key offerings.

Qualification for the lounge is the same as Qantas Club lounges across Australia; Club members, Gold status and above and Business Class passenger (although Silver members get a one-off free pass upon qualification/requalification).

The Seat

The business class seat on the Dreamliner is the original 2017 design from Australia’s David Coan. (Qantas reports some Frequent Flyer’s call the seat ‘mini-first’).

There are five different sections that you can adjust up-down, back, and forwards from the chair back to the lumbar support and leg rest. Plus the four pre-sets for take-off, reclining, reclining with leg rest and then the lie-flat bed.

Once the all-cotton bedding (also designed by Coan) is in situ in the lie-flat mode; the ‘mattress’ (it’s similar to a mattress topper) as a base, plus blanket and pillow, I have the most comfortable sleep I have ever had in the air. I enjoy approx 10.5 hours of the 15.5 hours in a deep and restful sleep.

The QF5 Business Class seats — The comfort factor of the QF5’s Business Class seats makes for a restful flight.

Food and wine

What more can be said about the Neil Perry Qantas relationship that has proven very successful?

I am torn between the spaghettini with prawns, a beef fillet or a lamb sandwich. The flight attendant advises me that the sandwich is the signature item on the menu… and the question is answered.

I wait a little longer than expected for it to arrive, but the wait is worth it. Perfect “not quite dinner but not too light" the chipotle lamb with sweet onions, mint salsa and salted chilli is satisfying without overdoing it. Two glasses of Australian Montepulciano (we are Rome-bound after all) and I am in heaven.

A colleague who opted for the spaghettini tries to convince me she in fact won gold with her choice, proving that a dartboard would be as successful, nothing will disappoint from the menu.

The tick-a-selection breakfast menu is completed and returned to the flight attendant when ordering dinner. The scrambled eggs with mushroom, bacon and tomato 11 hours later are the right fuel for the woozy day of circadian adjustment ahead.

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Entertainment & Amenities

I scan more than 185 movies from classics to award-winners, Asian, Bollywood, Japanese, Mandarin, Aussie and recent releases before I settle in for a TV box set that is not available on one of my five streaming subscriptions at home.

The custom-made headphones are not entirely noise cancelling which is surprising but not devastating.

Entertainment on Business Class — There is a wide range of onboard entertainment options to choose from.

The amenities kit is not overflowing with goodies (no aftershave, mouthwash etal that have made it into a few other business class kits in recent years) but the necessities. Most importantly is the kit is the most sustainable yet; bamboo toothbrush, bamboo/polyester socks, skin care packaging is 40% recycled plastic and the dental kit, skin care products and ear plugs are packaged in combustible FSC paper.

The skin care range comes from Li-Tya an Australian botanicals spa company. And of course there are the soft, comfortable cotton jim jams that do make for a more comfortable sleep (amusingly, the entire business class looks like “Squid Games in the Air" 20 minutes after take off as everyone has donned their pyjamas).

Luggage

The standard luggage allowance for business class is 40kg. It does increase for Qantas Club and Silver and above Frequent Flyer members.

Emissions and Offset

The approximate emissions are 2.7 tonnes per passenger which would cost approximately $150 to offset the flight at the time of purchase.

Rating

I am surprised at how fresh I feel arriving in Rome and would recommend it to anyone. Four stars out of five (because five out of five is for a private jet).

Why is it so hot in Europe?

Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

How travel is impacted

A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius

A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.