Captain’s Choice to Recreate Qantas’ Historic Kangaroo Route by Private Jet in 2026
The luxury operator reimagines the original Kangaroo Route with widebody comfort, exclusive events, and landmark hotel stays.
Photo: Javier Sepulveda Pascual / Unsplash
In February 2026, Captain’s Choice will retrace one of aviation’s most storied passages: the Kangaroo Route from Sydney to London. But this is no ordinary flight. Operated by a privately chartered Qantas A330-300, the 14-day journey is designed to evoke the pioneering spirit of Qantas’ 1947 service.
The Kangaroo Route originally took four days and seven stops to complete aboard a Lockheed Constellation carrying just 29 passengers. In recreating that route, Captain’s Choice leans into the heritage appeal while layering in hallmarks of today’s private jet touring: seamless transfers, exclusive use of historic venues, and stays at landmark hotels such as the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore, St. Regis Cairo, and Rome’s Hotel de Russie.
Each stop has been designed to offer privileged access: trade-day entry to the Singapore Airshow, a private dinner overlooking the Pyramids of Giza, and an after-hours Vatican tour. In Colombo, guests can choose between encounters with stilt fishermen, a cooking class in a private home, or even high tea with a former Sri Lankan cricket star. The approach underscores how private jet programs are increasingly moving beyond “bucket list” sightseeing to curated, memory-rich encounters that justify the premium.
Operationally, the use of a widebody aircraft is a differentiator. Most luxury jet tours rely on smaller narrowbody or regional jets. By chartering an A330-300, Captain’s Choice is able to accommodate up to 160 guests while still maintaining exclusivity, selling only half of economy seating to ensure every traveler has either an aisle or window. The scale allows for a broader range of social dynamics onboard, while still preserving the intimacy of small-group touring on the ground.
When Qantas launched the Kangaroo Route in 1947, it became a shorthand for Australia’s global reach. By recreating it today, Captain’s Choice is giving travelers the chance to experience that legacy firsthand, with modern comforts layered on top.
Departing February 3, 2026, the program is already listed as “selling fast.” For luxury travelers with a taste for both nostalgia and novelty, this is an opportunity to fly the past into the present—without sacrificing the Champagne and lie-flat comforts of the modern era.
