Qantas announced plans to begin nonstop service between Sydney and New York from mid-2028, reducing travel time to 18 hours compared to the current 21-hour journey with a stopover in Los Angeles. The route represents the second phase of the airline’s Project Sunrise initiative, following planned Sydney-to-London flights scheduled to commence in October 2027.
Tickets for the New York route will become available in August 2027, though the airline has not specified the exact launch month. Currently, Qantas operates flights between Sydney and New York via Los Angeles, with fares typically exceeding $1,400 one way. The airline has indicated that direct flight pricing could be approximately 20% higher than stopover fares, though specific ticket prices have not been released.
The aircraft enabling these routes are Airbus A350-1000ULR planes equipped with extended fuel capacity, allowing them to fly nonstop for up to 22 hours. Qantas has ordered 12 of these aircraft, with the first delivery expected in April 2027. Each plane will accommodate 238 passengers and feature a dedicated wellbeing zone between economy and premium economy sections, where travelers can exercise, view fitness videos, and access refreshments.
The airline projects that Project Sunrise flights and sustained premium travel demand will generate $400 million in additional earnings over five years, with profit margins expected to increase from the current 4% to 10%. Demand for Qantas flights to and from New York has doubled since 2023. The company is currently training over 360 pilots and 1,200 cabin crew members to operate the new aircraft. The project has experienced multiple delays since its original 2022 launch target, with manufacturing delays at Airbus cited as a primary cause.
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