Qantas announced Tuesday that it will begin nonstop commercial service between Sydney and New York in mid-2028, marking the first time the two cities will be connected without a scheduled stop. The Australian carrier said the direct flights will take roughly 18 hours, shaving more than three hours off the current fastest itineraries between the two global hubs.
Planes, capacity and timeline
The route will be operated with modified Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft equipped with an extra 20,000-liter fuel tank, which the airline says enables ranges beyond 16,000 kilometers and flights lasting up to 22 hours. Qantas’ full order for the ultra-long-range variant totals 12 aircraft. Each will carry 238 passengers across four cabin classes: first, business, premium economy and economy.
Tickets for the Sydney–New York service are scheduled to go on sale in August 2027, with flights commencing the following year. New York is the second destination publicly confirmed under Qantas’ Project Sunrise initiative; nonstop service from Sydney to London is set to launch in October 2027.
Why Qantas says the service makes sense
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson cited rising demand for ultra-long-haul travel as a key driver of the expansion. In announcing the route, the airline highlighted recent growth in bookings and traveler willingness to pay for nonstop options.
“New York has always captured the imagination, and for generations, reaching it from Australia has meant breaking up the journey somewhere along the way,” Hudson said. “From 2028, our customers will be able to board in Sydney and arrive in New York around 18 hours later without stopping once.”
Hudson told CNBC that lessons learned from Qantas’ existing Perth-to-London nonstop service demonstrated strong demand among passengers prepared to pay a premium for nonstops. The airline said demand on its New York routes has nearly doubled since 2023, and arrivals from the United States to Australia are up about 5% year-on-year. Qantas also reported that willingness to book ultra-long-haul flights rose from 58% to 70% since February 2026, reaching 80% among premium-cabin travelers.
Passenger experience and health research
The carrier noted its long-running collaboration with sleep scientists to mitigate the physiological effects of extended travel. Measures described by the airline include cabin lighting adjustments intended to help passengers adapt to the destination time zone, among other design decisions informed by research on ultra-long flights.
Local and regional implications
For New York-area travelers and business communities, the nonstop service could change travel dynamics on multiple levels. An 18-hour nonstop option may be particularly appealing for business travelers, high-end leisure customers and long-haul connecting itineraries. It may also influence competing carriers and routing patterns between North America and the Asia-Pacific region.
Airport operations in New York and Sydney will need to accommodate the unique demands of ultra-long-haul aircraft and passenger flows. While Qantas has not released details on scheduling frequency or which New York-area airport will be used, the scale of the operation—12 aircraft in the A350-1000ULR order—signals a significant strategic commitment to nonstop routes.
Key facts at a glance
- Launch: Mid-2028
- Flight time: Approximately 18 hours
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000ULR with additional 20,000-liter fuel tank
- Seats per aircraft: 238 in four cabin classes
- Ticket sales: Expected to go on sale August 2027
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Projected nonstop range | More than 16,000 kilometers |
| Maximum reported flight endurance | Up to 22 hours |
| Order size | 12 A350-1000ULR aircraft |
Qantas’ announcement also arrives amid gradual recovery and reconfiguration of international travel markets following the pandemic-era disruption. For New York's travel industry—airports, hospitality and tourism stakeholders—the long-haul nonstop will be watched closely for its effects on passenger volume and spending patterns.
As Qantas moves toward ticket sales next year, passengers and industry observers can expect more details on schedules, fares and the precise New York airport designation. For travelers considering the service, the carrier’s recently shared research and cabin design choices will be central to marketing and consumer decision-making.
Updates on routes, fares and operational details are anticipated as Qantas approaches the 2027 sales window and the planned 2028 launch.
