Have you heard of the Double Sunrise flights? These are flights so long that the people on board experienced sunrise twice during the non-stop flight. Qatar Airways currently have the longest flight in the world, but the Double Sunrise flights are even longer.
Imagine being on board an aircraft for between 27 and 32 hours without any entertainment and no service of any kind. There must have been a major reason for this to occur.
Double Sunrise Flights
Double Sunrise flights occurred during World War 2. Australia was cut off from Europe by the Japanese advance through Asia and it was decided to use the PBY Catalina flying boat to fly direct from Nedlands in Perth to Koggala Lake in Ceylon which is now Sri Lanka.
The First Flight
There is a little video about the first flight below. This features the last surviving pilot who crewed the Double Sunrise services. It is around 3 minutes long and is worth a look.
It sounds like it would have been some experience!
The Rare and Secret Order of the Double Sunrise
Passengers on the services were given a certificate for spending more than 24 hours in the air on a regular air service. This entitled the person to become a member of the rare and Secret Order of the Double Sunrise.
Overall Thoughts
These flights were under threat of Japanese patrols as it was wartime and it is remarkable that all the flights arrived at their destinations safely. The Double Sunrise flights represent a major feat of airmanship that is worth remembering today.
You can get more information on these flights at the Qantas web site, the Qantas Founders Museum web site, and the HARS web site.
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All images via Qantas.
Thanks for a bunch of fun facts!
You’re very welcome! 🙂
There are plenty of Double sunset flights. California – Persian Gulf flights that leave in the afternoon are double sunset.
That would be pretty cool to experience! I bet they’re a lot faster than 28 hours though. It’s a shame the crew sometimes insist on the window blinds being down because the views outside at sunrise and sunset when you’re in the air are usually spectacular!