The term was coined by British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines when they began services from Sydney to Vancouver in 1949. The route was extended to Europe following the signing of an air services agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom in 1957, which saw Qantas flying from Sydney to London via Los Angeles and New York using Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellations.
The term was first used by British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines when they initiated flights from Sydney to Vancouver in 1949. The route was subsequently expanded to Europe after Australia and the UK agreed on air services in 1957, which allowed Qantas to fly from Sydney to London via Los Angeles and New York using Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellations.