Qantas doubles down on Rome flights with bigger 2026 season

Qantas is expanding its nonstop Perth-Rome service in 2026, giving Australians more ways to reach the Eternal City.

The seasonal route will now operate from 3 May through to 23 October, extending the schedule by eight weeks. Additionally, peak season frequency will also increase from three to four flights per week. 

In total, Qantas will add more than 40 services and close to 10,000 extra seats on the route.

“Rome is one of Europe’s most iconic destinations and our nonstop flight is incredibly popular with customers who tell us they love being able to depart Perth in the evening and wake up in Rome,” Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said.

“As over half the customers on our Rome flights originate from the east of Australia, our Italian flights are timed to connect seamlessly in Perth with our domestic services from the east coast.

“Almost doubling our capacity means even more Australians can experience our non-stop European routes, which have some of the highest customer satisfaction scores on our international network.”

Launched in 2022, the Perth–Rome route was the first nonstop flight from Australia to continental Europe. Since then, more than 70,000 passengers have flown the service, which has become the fastest link between Australia and Italy.

The longer season captures the northern summer and shoulder months, giving travellers more choice when planning European holidays.

Qantas also operates nonstop international services from Perth to London, Paris and Singapore, and will launch new flights to Johannesburg and Auckland in December 2025.

“Our long-haul flights from Perth have been game-changing for Western Australia and next year will be our biggest yet, with nearly 300,000 seats connecting the major European capitals of London, Paris and Rome nonstop with Perth,” Wallace stated.

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said the state government has prioritised growing international flight capacity to and from WA, “with 20 non-stop routes now available”.

“From eager tourists to Western Australians with family ties to Italy, the flights have meant thousands have stepped off at Perth Airport then set foot in the Eternal City,” he remarked.

“The success of the Perth to Rome flights has rewarded Qantas’ confidence in the service, and we are thankful for the continued relationships and the additional seats over the 2026 northern summer.

“It cements WA’s status as the gateway to Australia from Europe and is another way my government is diversifying our economy.”

Western Australia Minister for Tourism Reece Whitby called the move a “major win for WA”.

“With more flights and a longer operating season, we’re making it easier than ever for European travellers to experience everything WA has to offer while strengthening our ties with key international markets,” he added.

“We’re committed to diversifying our economy through tourism and securing additional direct flights will make it even easier for Italian visitors to come and explore our wonderful state.”

Perth–Rome (QF5) schedule