Perth. Photo: Shutterstock Australian airline Qantas has announced an increase in direct flights from Perth to Rome by extending the operating season and adding an additional weekly flight, a move that will nearly double the route's capacity by 2026.
The Perth-Rome route will be extended by eight weeks this year, from May 3 to October 23, 2026, adding over 40 more flights and approximately 10,000 additional seats. During peak times between June and September, four weekly flights will be operated instead of three.
The extended season will cover the entire northern hemisphere summer period, including late spring and early autumn, providing passengers with more flexibility and options to travel to Rome and from there to other destinations across Italy and Europe.
The Spanish Steps in Rome. Photo: 123rfThe Perth-Rome route was launched in 2022 and became the first-ever direct flight between Australia and mainland Europe.
Since then, over 70,000 passengers have flown the route. It offers Australians a particularly quick route to Rome and allows Europeans to begin their Australian visit in Perth.
Currently, Qantas operates direct flights from Perth to London, Paris, Rome, and Singapore, and by December 2025, it will also launch direct routes to Johannesburg and Auckland.
According to Qantas International CEO, Cam Wallace: “Rome is one of Europe’s iconic destinations, and our direct flight is very popular. The extension of the season and nearly doubling the capacity allows more Australians to enjoy direct flights to Europe with one of the highest satisfaction levels in our network.”
Western Australia’s Premier, Roger Cook, added: “The success of the Perth–Rome route proves the value of investing in direct connections. It further strengthens Western Australia’s position as a gateway to Australia from Europe.”
Tourism Minister Reece Whitby noted: “The route’s expansion will bring thousands of additional visitors and further establish Western Australia’s role as the entry point to the nation.”