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 employed by British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines when they started flights between Sydney and Vancouver in 1949. The route was later extended to Europe following the signing of an air services agreement between Australia and the UK in 1957, which enabled Qantas to operate from Sydney to London via Los Angeles and New York using Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellations.