Vaccinated Territorians could be able to fly to London or host Europeans for Christmas if the stars align for Qantas in the next fortnight.
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce is negotiating with the NT government to allow the daily Melbourne-to-London and return flight to land in Darwin during a narrow window from December 18 until April.
The plane normally stops in Perth, but the WA government has been dragging its feet on opening borders.
"It's another two weeks to firm that up," Mr Joyce told ABC Radio Darwin's Drive program.
"We're still working through some logistics about how domestic and international passengers will intermingle in the terminal.
"We're just making sure that people are comfortable with that.
Should I hold my breath?
A sticking point for potential passengers will be the current requirement to quarantine.
Mr Joyce said the rest of the vaccinated world had moved past quarantine.
"We hope we can get that," he said.
"If there is a minimum level of home quarantine, that could be manageable for people — certainly visiting family and friends."
He argued it was a win-win for the NT.
"There will be extra flights domestically that feed that flight, there will be extra seats domestically for people to be able to travel into Darwin and promotions on airfares to encourage more tourism, and it will mean more jobs at least until April of next year.
But Mr Joyce said routes would go through Singapore if the Darwin option fell through.
Showcase
Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the flight would showcase the NT.
"This is why I have directed the most senior public servants to get cracking on this, and as a priority work with the Darwin Airport and Qantas to make it happen," he said.
"My number-one focus is keeping Territorians safe, but we must plan for a time when overseas travel resumes so we can bounce back stronger than ever."
Darwin to London would be a 16-hour flight aboard a 787 Dreamliner.
Mr Joyce said the Perth to London fare had cost slightly less than $2,000.
