Qantas announced plans to operate direct flights between Sydney and New York beginning in mid-2028, representing the airline’s second ultra long-haul route under its Project Sunrise initiative. The service will reduce travel time to 18 hours, improving upon the current 21-hour journey that includes a stopover in Los Angeles. This would mark the first commercial direct flight from Sydney’s Kingsford-Smith airport to New York’s JFK airport.
The Sydney-New York route follows the planned October 2027 launch of direct service from Sydney to London, which itself faced delays after the original 2022 target date. Ticket sales for the New York route are scheduled to open in August 2027. Qantas has not disclosed pricing but previously indicated that direct fares could cost approximately 20% more than stopover alternatives, with current one-way fares typically exceeding $1,400.
The airline’s expansion relies on 12 Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft equipped with extra fuel capacity for ultra long-haul flights. The first aircraft is expected to arrive in April 2027. Each plane will carry 238 passengers distributed across six first-class suites, 52 business suites, 40 premium economy seats, and 140 economy seats. A notable feature includes a dedicated wellbeing zone positioned between economy and premium economy cabins where passengers can exercise, watch fitness videos, and access refreshments.
Qantas attributes increased momentum to stronger demand patterns, noting that flight inquiries from New York have doubled since 2023. Short-term US arrivals to Australia grew 4% in the year ending July 2026, though Australian departures to the US declined 9% during the same period. The airline projects Project Sunrise operations will generate an additional $400 million in revenue over five years and expects profit margins to expand from the current 4% to 10%. Training programs for more than 360 pilots and 1,200 cabin crew members are underway to support fleet operations.
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