Joyce was speaking at a lunch organised by the Aviation Club in London, celebrating the launch of the airline’s 17-hour Perth-Heathrow service over the weekend.
He said following the introduction of new technology and innovations, he was confident other parts of Australia would soon have a direct UK connection. “Qantas is a company that isn’t resting on its laurels,” said Joyce. “It is a company that says ‘we can do more in this space’.”
He added the public was responding well to the new flight, with 90% of its 28 premium economy seats sold for the next month while the economy cabin is 100% sold for the “next few weeks”.
Joyce also argued that the flight would remain a success after the initial excitement dies down, as experience garnered from introducing other direct flights in the past proves.
He added: "Historically when Qantas flew across the Pacific there were two stops and it took a couple of days.
"When we started flying direct, people said ’who is going to do that?’
"Now, nobody in their right minds would stop over on their way from Sydney to Los Angeles or San Francisco."
However, Joyce admitted the process might not happen overnight, adding: "We have to face the fact that people will take time to get their heads around it."
