Historic Qantas jet to return home

The first Boeing 707 jet to join the Qantas fleet is poised to return to Australia after 47 years away.

This jet, previously named City of Canberra, was the first of its kind to be sold outside of the US and will be brought back down under in November.

"I'm proud to announce that this Boeing 707, believed to be the last and oldest of its kind in operation, will make its permanent home at the Qantas Founders' Outback Museum in Longreach, Queensland," said Qantas chairman Margaret Jackson.

"The aircraft will depart London bound for the US, retracing its original route from Honolulu and Nadi to Sydney, arriving in early November."

She added that when the jet had been in operation, it had helped to slash the time taken to fly between Sydney and London from 48 hours to 27, four more than today's duration of 23 hours.

The last flight taken by the Boeing 707 took place between Auckland and Sydney in March 1979.

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