It is not every day that a boarding announcement is met with enthusiastic cheers, but this was precisely the scene at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport this morning. As Captain’s Choice chief executive Bas Bosschieter announced that QF1337 was ready for boarding, the 131 passengers at Gate 11 erupted in applause. This flight marks the beginning of a two-week, seven-stop journey that recreates the iconic “Kangaroo Route” first launched by Qantas in 1947.
The journey from Sydney to Darwin is the initial leg of this nostalgic expedition, which pays homage to the original route known for its short “hops” due to the limited flying range of aircraft at the time. Adding to the retro atmosphere, ground staff donned vintage Qantas uniforms from the 1970s, designed by Emilio Pucci, featuring a floral print for women and an orange-jacket-with-mustard-shirt ensemble for men.
Revisiting Aviation History
The original Kangaroo Route was a groundbreaking achievement in 1947, with the journey from Sydney to London taking five days, including 59 hours of flying time. This was considered a rapid pace compared to the flying boats of the 1930s, which took twice as long. Today, the Captain’s Choice Pioneering Spirit of the Kangaroo Route offers a more leisurely experience over 14 days, closely following the original flight path with stops in Darwin, Singapore, Kolkata, Colombo, Cairo, Rome, and Toulouse.
Unlike the past, the modern journey aboard the chartered Qantas Airbus A330-300, named Port Stephens, offers enhanced comfort. Only half of the onboard seats are available for sale, allowing passengers ample space to relax. The longest leg, from Colombo to Cairo, spans seven hours and 50 minutes, while most flights last between three and five hours.
Aviation Enthusiasts and Unique Experiences
Many passengers on this journey are aviation enthusiasts willing to pay a premium for the experience, with all-inclusive fares starting at $49,950. Among them is Keng Wong, a Singapore-born Perth resident whose love for aircraft began in childhood. Wong fondly recalls his fascination with the Lockheed Constellation, known for its distinctive design and powerful propellers.
“I fell in love with the Lockheed Constellation. It had such huge propellers, it made so much noise, it had this dolphin shape and a three-pointed tail,” said Wong, who worked in catering for Qantas for 25 years.
The journey includes optional activities tailored for aviation aficionados, such as a visit to the Darwin Aviation Museum, access to the Singapore Air Show, and a tour of the Jean-Luc Lagardère Final Assembly Line, a leading Airbus facility in France. Traditional sightseeing is also on offer, including entry into one of Egypt’s ancient pyramids and an after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums. Cricket fans have the opportunity to meet a member of Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning team.
From Concept to Reality
The ambitious itinerary is the culmination of years of planning by Captain’s Choice. “We first started talking about this at the end of 2017, with the intention to travel in 2020,” Bosschieter shared at a pre-flight dinner at the Sydney Opera House.
Though a planned flyover by a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation was canceled due to airspace restrictions, guests enjoyed a performance by the Australian Girls’ Choir and an interview with Wendy Miles, daughter of Qantas co-founder Sir Wilmot Hudson Fysh. Miles reminisced about her 1947 journey on the Kangaroo Route as a 17-year-old, recalling the formal attire of passengers at the time.
“It was the first flight I went on and everybody was dressed up. All the women were in hats and gloves and all the men were in suits,” Miles recounted.
A Journey of Comfort and Nostalgia
Today’s passengers may not adhere to the same dress code, but they are assured of attentive service with 12 Qantas staff on board, including captains, cabin crew, an engineer, and catering staff. The dining experience is elevated, with business-class menus offered to all passengers. On the Sydney to Darwin leg, choices included croque monsieur, gruyere and mushroom quiche, and a lamb and rosemary pie with mushy peas and crispy potatoes.
The revival of the 1947 Kangaroo Route not only celebrates a significant chapter in aviation history but also offers a unique blend of nostalgia and luxury for those aboard. As the journey unfolds, it promises to be a memorable experience for all involved, blending the past with the present in a tribute to the pioneering spirit of air travel.
