Qantas has unveiled plans to introduce nonstop flights between Sydney and New York by mid-2028, marking a significant expansion of its ultra-long-haul offerings. This new route will follow the anticipated launch of the Sydney-London service in 2027 under the airline’s ambitious Project Sunrise program.
The Sydney-New York service will be the first to offer a direct commercial flight between Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport and New York’s JFK Airport. Currently, Qantas operates this route with a stopover in Los Angeles, taking approximately 21 hours in total. The new nonstop journey is expected to reduce travel time to about 18 hours.
Qantas plans to begin ticket sales for the nonstop Sydney-New York flights in August 2027, though specific fares and the exact start date have yet to be announced. The airline will utilize its newly ordered Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft for the route, a model capable of flying up to 22 hours nonstop.
The A350-1000ULR will be configured to accommodate 238 passengers across first-class suites, business suites, premium economy, and economy cabins. A unique feature of these aircraft is the dedicated “wellbeing zone” situated between the economy and premium economy sections, intended to offer passengers a space to stretch, engage in guided exercises, and access snacks and drinks during the lengthy journey.
Qantas’s Project Sunrise aims to expand its network of ultra-long-haul flights, providing direct connections from Australia to major global destinations without the need for stopovers. The airline expects to receive its first delivery of the A350-1000ULR in 2027, paving the way for the launch of these groundbreaking services.