An interesting tidbit, Qantas already set a record flying non-stop from LHR to SYD in 1989 when taking delivery of a 747-400 http://www.airwaysmuseum.com/Qantas%201st%20England-Aust%20n...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Double_Sunrise
http://www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/history-catalinas/glob...