Qantas Flight QF10 Diverts to Karratha Airport on London to Perth Non-Stop Service

Crystal Travel | Travel News | 27 June 2026

Passengers on board one of the world's longest non-stop flights faced an unplanned delay after adverse weather conditions forced the Qantas service to land at a remote Western Australian airport for refuelling.

Qantas QF10 London to Perth Flight Diverted Mid-Journey

A Qantas flight operating the non-stop London to Perth route was diverted to Karratha Airport in Western Australia after adverse weather conditions prevented the aircraft from landing at its scheduled destination. Flight QF10, which departs from London Heathrow and arrives at Perth Airport, was redirected approximately 1,500 kilometres north of Perth, where it landed at Karratha to refuel before continuing south to complete its journey.

The diversion added considerable time to what is already one of the longest commercial flights in the world, leaving passengers on board facing further delays at the end of an exhausting long-haul journey.

Why Qantas QF10 Was Forced to Land at Karratha

Qantas QF10 Diverted to Karratha for Refuelling Amid Bad Weather

Adverse weather conditions at Perth Airport were cited as the reason for the diversion. When the weather at a destination airport drops below safe operational thresholds — whether due to strong crosswinds, poor visibility, or storm activity — flight crews are required to redirect to an alternate airport. The decision to divert is made in the interest of passenger safety and follows standard international aviation protocols.

Qantas has not reported any technical fault with the aircraft. The diversion was a weather-driven operational decision, and the flight continued to Perth once conditions allowed and the aircraft had been refuelled at Karratha.

Karratha Airport: 1,500 Kilometres North of Perth

Karratha is a regional city in Western Australia's Pilbara region, predominantly known for its role in the country's mining and resources industry. Its airport primarily serves fly-in, fly-out workers and regional passengers rather than international long-haul services, with a diverted widebody aircraft a highly unusual occurrence.

Despite its remote setting, Karratha Airport has the infrastructure to accommodate larger commercial aircraft, which made it a suitable — if unexpected — choice as an emergency diversion point for the QF10 service. For passengers who had just endured a flight of more than 14,000 kilometres from London, touching down in the Pilbara would have been far from the arrival they anticipated.

London to Perth Non-Stop Route: One of the World's Longest Flights

The Qantas QF10 service is one of the most significant long-haul routes in commercial aviation. Flying non-stop from London Heathrow to Perth Airport, the route covers a distance of over 14,000 kilometres and is among the longest scheduled passenger flights operating today.

The service is particularly popular with UK travellers, including British expats based in Perth, tourists heading to Western Australia, and business passengers who value a direct connection without the added transit time of a stopover through the Middle East or Asia. The route has become a flagship offering for Qantas and remains in strong demand among travellers departing from the UK.

Travel Advice for UK Passengers Flying from London to Perth

While weather diversions on long-haul routes are uncommon, this incident highlights the importance of comprehensive travel insurance and flexible booking arrangements when planning long-distance travel. Unexpected delays and diversions can significantly impact onward plans, accommodation bookings, and connecting travel arrangements at the destination.

UK travellers planning to fly to Perth can contact Crystal Travel's travel agents for up-to-date flight availability, booking options, and travel advice for the London-to-Perth route.