Flat Earth Challenge on the remotest flight: Qantas Business Class Non Stop from Sydney to Santiago

Several months ago, I secured a Qantas frequent flier seat up front in business class on @qantas Sydney to Santiago Qantas service. The flight uses a Boeing 787 Dreamliner for the 12-14 hour journey. I redeemed 108,000 Qantas points and paid $300 in taxes for a business flight worth between $2500 and $2800!

Before I even set foot on Qantas Flight 27, I googled for flight reports and was stunned to come across a whole cross-section of humanity that didn’t believe this flight exists. Some even went so far as to claim that Qantas was a “fake airline” and that the flight would be cancelled last minute, leaving me stranded in Sydney. This journey, according to them, was either a figment of my imagination or a wild goose chase that would end in disappointment. Love it or hate it, this flight turned out to be real, and the plane, the service and the flight beat my expectations.

I did some research and found that on a round Earth (the one I live on), this flight covers about 11,000 km in around 12 hours aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. However, according to flat-earthers, on a flat Earth map, the distance should be around 25,000 km—more than double the actual distance. Given that a Boeing 787 typically cruises at around 920 km/h, it would take over 27 hours to complete that journey if the flat Earth model were accurate. This significant discrepancy leads flat-earthers to claim that the flight is either fabricated or the details are misleading, as they believe such a journey would be impossible within the reported time.

Now we have that out of the way, let me tell you this flight was real and I had a fabulous time.

Check-In and Airport Experience (10/10)

Check-In:
The check-in process at the First Class counter (as I am One World Emerald) was flawless, earning a perfect 10/10.

The staff were exceptionally courteous and efficient, making the start of my journey smooth and stress-free. I felt very welcomed.

a screen with a black and white sign with different planes and names

Security and Immigration:

Being in Business Class, I got express path through security and immigration, making the process remarkably straightforward. However, due to the heavy traffic in the non-priority queues, some less frequent travellers were directed to my security checkpoint, which slowed things down. It always frustrates me when people are slow to organise their belongings in security lines. I don’t always blame them, as I believe airports could do better by providing clear and consistent instructions about clothes, liquids, and laptops while people are lined up, not just as they reach the screening point. Additionally, airports should give people space to organise their belongings before joining the security line.

Lounge Experience (10/10)

a group of people sitting at tables in a restaurant

Upon arrival at the Qantas First Class lounge (another One World Emerald perk), I enjoyed an iced latte, pancakes, congee, and sushi as I waited. For a plane nerd like me, watching the planes to-ing and fro-ing at the airport was a delight.

a glass of liquid and a straw on a table

The lounge, though a little dated, still offers an exceptional experience and is staffed by employees trained and managed by Sydney’s Sofitel. Boarding was delayed by almost two hours due to an aeroplane mechanical issue, which made me wonder if the Flat Earthers were correct and the flight didn’t actually exist!

The overall experience in the lounge was delightful, especially when I was surprised and embarrassed by the staff, who celebrated my birthday with a cake and a lovely song.

Boarding Process (8/10)

I arrived to find a long queue of impatient people waiting for the delayed plane. We zipped past everyone to duck into the much shorter Business Class queue. The boarding process was initially efficient, as we were quickly let through to the gate but we then had to wait for several minutes at the end of the jet way, which was a minor inconvenience.

Nevertheless, the warm and friendly welcome aboard made up for it. I drank the welcome drink, strapped into my seat, and enjoyed the beautiful takeoff with my first Qantas Dreamliner, “Billabong.”

a road with a body of water in the background

The flight is considered to be one of the more risky ones because, between New Zealand and Chile air space, the plane is highly isolated.

At the most isolated point, approximately 2900 km from Dunedin, New Zealand, the nearest diversion airports are Mataveri International Airport on Easter Island (approximately 3,020 km away) and Papeete Faa’a International Airport in Tahiti (approximately 3,870 km away).

This isolation underscores the importance of meticulous route planning and contingency measures for trans-Pacific flights. Qantas has four pilots aboard and ensures this 787, like all of their planes, undergoes their thorough Qantas safety checks, which is one reason why the airline consistently sits at the top of airline safety audits

On Board: 10/10

The Qantas 787 Dreamliner is equipped with three classes:

a person sitting in a chair in an airplane

Business Class: The Business Class cabin on the Qantas 787 looked a little crowded to me compared to other 787 layouts I have been on but I soon decided it is well designed for ultimate comfort and privacy.
Premium Economy: The Premium Economy cabin offers extra legroom and wider seats compared to standard Economy. The seats are arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration, providing more space and comfort. Seat width is approximately 19 inches (ca. 48 cm), with a generous recline and extra legroom.
Economy Class: The Economy Class cabin is well-appointed, with seats arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration. Each seat has a width of about 17.2 inches and provides sufficient legroom for comfort during long flights. The cabin features adjustable headrests and individual entertainment screens for each passenger.

Seat 3K (Business Class):
The Business Class seat on the Qantas 787 Dreamliner was exceptionally comfortable. Here are some of its key features:

Fully Flat Bed: This seat converted into a fully flat bed, ensuring a restful sleep during the long flight. Great duvet/doona/quilt, nice pyjamas and a good solid mattress topper.
Ample Privacy: The layout provided significant privacy, ideal for both rest and work.
Direct Aisle Access: My seat like eevry seat in this Qantas Business Class has direct aisle access, adding to the convenience.
Adjustable Settings: The seat has multiple adjustment options for reclining, lumbar support, and footrest positioning.
High-Quality Materials: Upholstered in premium materials, the seat felt luxurious and comfortable.
In-Seat Power: There were USB ports and power outlets for charging devices. I love getting off a plane with all of my devices fully charged!
Storage Space: Adequate storage compartments for personal items.
Large Screen: An 18-inch entertainment screen with a remote control for easy navigation.

The plane was almost completely full. Troy, the cabin manager, warmly welcomed us aboard and apologized for the delay—a sentiment he expressed a few more times during the flight, along with the captain. He came around to personally welcome me (as a One World Emerald member) and to apologize for the delay. My meal order was taken soon after takeoff. The efficiency and professionalism of the Qantas crew ensured a smooth conclusion to my journey.

Meals: 8/10

Some airlines serve their business class meals almost immedediately after take off. Qantas served the appetiser almost 90 minutes after we had left Sydney. As I was still full from the lounge, this was not an issue. The meals served on board were superb. Dinner started with a crisp mixed green salad and a velvety carrot soup that was divine, accompanied by delicious crusty bread and almost rock-solid cold butter, followed by a tender beef steak. (guess who forgot the picture?)

a plate with food and a bowl of salad on it

The praline dessert was a bit disappointing, but the meal ended on a high note with a scrumptious ice cream sandwich.

Breakfast was equally delightful with a nice fresh fruit salad, crunchy muesli with creamy yogurt.

The main feature was a fluffy but tasteless omelette to kickstart the day. I savored a comforting cup of tea and rich hot chocolate to round off the meal.

The amazing hard working staff (it was a full flight) took the time to make me a card and sang “happy birthday” to me!

Plenty of snacks and water seemed to be available for all classes throughout the flight. I was so full, i was absolutely not in need of any snacks!

Entertainment (8/10):

The in-flight entertainment system offered a good range of shows, movies, and music. There is a basic games selection. I did some work and slept for a chunk of the flight. It’s worth noting that there was no WiFi available on this flight. However, Qantas has announced that WiFi is coming soon to their 787s. I have mixed about having immediate access while on a plane. I do like the isolation for 12 hours

Landing and Arrival (10/10):
As we approached Santiago after 12 hours of flight the views from my right-hand side window seat were breathtaking. The Andes Mountains, with their snow-capped peaks, provided a stunning backdrop as we descended into the city.

The landing itself was smooth, and the arrival process was seamless.

Conclusion

My experience on Qantas Business Class from Sydney to Santiago was exceptional. From the impeccable check-in process and delightful lounge experience to the comfort of seat 3K and the high-quality in-flight service, Qantas impressed me. The airline’s commitment to safety, service, and comfort on this flight was consistently high. As for the Flat Earthers, nothing will convince them.

This Qantas flight means I will have been to every inhabited continent with the Australian carrier. I have flown Qantas to or from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and now South America. I have flown them 459 times to 37 airports in 13 countries now. To look at my Flightmemory record of 1644 flights, click here.

My Overall Rating of this flight: 96%
My Rating of Qantas: 92%
My Ranking of Qantas: – 19th place out of the 125 airlines I have ever flown, 75 of which are still operating.
Global Ranking: Qantas is currently rated as a 4-star airline by Skytrax and was placed 24th globally by Skytrax users in 2024. It is also listed as the world’s safest airline by AirlineRatings, with a 7/7 rating for safety, and is ranked 5th overall by them for service
Positives: Excellent food, very attentive, warm hard working staff, comfortable seat, and a lovely aircraft.
Negatives: Delayed flight, waiting in the jetway after being called to board(minor).
Would I fly again?: Yes, absolutely!

a map of the world with lines and points