Qantas unveils Business dining onboard Perth-Rome flights

There’s not long to go until Qantas’ inaugural Sydney-Perth-Rome flight takes off on 22 June 2022. Though the flight only clocks in as the 16th longest in the world – with the Perth-Rome leg set to last 16 hours and 25 minutes – hungry passengers will undoubtedly be anticipating the onboard menu.

Unsurprisingly, the Neil Perry-crafted menu in Business Class will feature plenty of Italian delights. Even the wine list will feature Australian drops of Italian wine varietals. And even if your travels don’t take you to Rome, some of the Italian classics will make their way to Qantas’ other Business and First lounges in June.

Point Hacks attended the menu reveal at Qantas’ Sydney HQ to see just what’s in store for the Red Roo’s latest route.

What’s on the menu?

In the lounges

Neil Perry – ex-Rockpool head and Qantas’ Creative Director of Food, Beverage and Service – takes inspiration from his own travels to Italy.

Italians live and breathe seasonality and freshness, so it was important when designing these menu items that we respect and celebrate the traditions of the cuisine and Rome’s deep history.

– Neil Perry, Qantas Director of Food, Beverage and Service, 2 June 2022

Select Business and First lounges across the network will feature dishes such as:

• Neil Perry’s fettuccine bolognese with Parmigiano Reggiano
• Mascarpone tartlet with prosecco jelly and Valencia orange

Stephanie Tully, Qantas Chief Customer Officer, told Point Hacks that the Italian lounge dishes would be found throughout the airlines’ Domestic Business Lounges in June.

Our customers love Italy and we’re delighted to be sharing these dining experiences across out lounges in June. So even for those travelling through our Domestic Business Lounges, there is a little bit of Italiano inpso to whet their appetite for international travel.

– Stephanie Tully, Qantas Chief Customer Officer, 2 June 2022

Onboard QF5 and QF6 Perth-Rome

In the air, Business Class passengers flying from Perth to Rome can tuck into the likes of:

• Zucchini and basil soup with parmesan crouton
• Caramelised potato gratin with peas, mushrooms and roasted fennel
• Spaghettini with prawns, garlic, chilli, cherry tomatoes and pangrattato

On the return flight from Rome to Perth, Business Class highlights include:

• Bucatini all’Amatriciana pasta
• Grilled fish with peperonata, pine nuts and basil
• Buffalo mozzarella, finiocchiona salami, anchovy, artichokes, olives, marinated red capsicum and warm focaccia

Grilled fish with peperonata, pine nuts and basil.

Spaghettini with prawns, garlic, chilli, cherry tomatoes and pangrattato.

Qantas didn’t release details on the Economy and Premium Economy dining experience on the Perth-Rome flights. But we hope to bring you more details on that offering in the next few weeks.

The QF5 and QF6 experience

The Qantas Sydney-Perth-Rome loop will be flown by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, operating three times a week from 22 June until 6 October. Specifically designed for ultra-long-haul flying, it seats 42 passengers in Business, 28 in Premium Economy and 166 in Economy.

QF5 departs Sydney on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. It takes off from Sydney at 5:55 pm, reaching Perth at 8:50 pm. After a brief stop at the Western Australian capital, it soars again at 10:20 pm, reaching Rome at 8:45 am the following morning.

QF6 is wheels-back on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Leaving Rome at 10:50 am, it takes just under 16 hours to arrive back in Perth at 8:35 am the next day. And 90 minutes later, it pushes back at 10:05 am to finally land back in Sydney at 4:05 pm.

Also read: Qantas Perth International Transit Lounge (T3) review →

Point Hacks Editor-in-Chief Daniel Sciberras attended the event as a guest of Qantas. Certain images courtesy of Qantas.