QF9 from Melbourne to London (via Perth) has returned to Perth for the first time in more than two years, after being temporarily rerouted during the closure of WA border. 

The first flight on the returned route will depart from Perth International Airport at 6.50pm tonight. Thousands of passengers will travel on QF9 and its return service QF10 in the first week, with most flights completely full. 

The route return means that WA residents will again be able to fly Qantas direct to London again. Flights are scheduled six times per week, leaving Perth every day except Thursday. 

To coincide with the return of QF9, the Qantas Perth International Transit Lounge will return to its full offering, including “light therapy” in the shower suites to help adjust the body clock and a wellbeing studio focusing on mindfulness and movement. Customers can dine in an open-air terrace with a BBQ serving gourmet dishes by Neil Perry. 

The service has been flying via Darwin since Qantas’ international passenger flights resumed on 1 November 2021. 

QF9 was originally scheduled to continue via Darwin for another three weeks, however the strong demand for the route, combined with restricted passenger numbers due to the effective closure of Russian airspace, meant a decision was made to return to Perth sooner. 

The QF1/2 service from Darwin to London will continue to operate through Darwin until 18 June, when it will return to Singapore. 

Qantas is also preparing to launch a new route from Perth to Rome from 22 June, with QF5 taking off for the Italian capital three times per week. This will be the only direct service between Australia and continental Europe.