Qantas confirms first non-stop Sydney-New York flights
Qantas will launch the first-ever commercial non-stop flights between Sydney and New York in mid-2028. The 18-hour journey on Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft will cut three hours off current itineraries.
Qantas will launch the world's first commercial non-stop service between Sydney and New York in mid-2028. The airline confirmed the route, the second under its Project Sunrise program, at an event in New York this week. Tickets for the inaugural service will go on sale in August 2027.
This new flight will take around 18 hours, cutting approximately three hours from current journeys that require a stopover. Qantas currently serves the Sydney-New York route daily via Auckland. Other existing options involve stops on the US West Coast or in Dallas.
New York follows London as the second confirmed Project Sunrise destination, with the London service scheduled to start in October 2027. Together, these routes fulfill the airline's 2017 goal of connecting Australia's east coast with the two major North Atlantic cities without intermediate stops.
The aircraft and the route
The flight will cover a great-circle distance of roughly 16,013 kilometers (8,646 nautical miles) between Sydney (SYD) and New York's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK). Qantas will operate the route using the specially developed Airbus A350-1000ULR (Ultra Long Range). This variant features an additional 20,000-liter rear center fuel tank, enabling it to fly more than 16,000 kilometers and up to 22 hours non-stop.
The airline has ordered 12 of these aircraft. To achieve the required range and enhance passenger comfort, the cabin will be configured with a low density of just 238 seats across four classes. Approximately 40% of the cabin is dedicated to premium seating.
| Cabin Class | Number of Seats | Configuration | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | 6 | 1-1-1 | Suite |
| Business | 52 | 1-2-1 | Suite with sliding door (first for Qantas) |
| Premium Economy | 40 | 2-4-2 | |
| Economy (incl. Economy Plus) | 140 | Not specified |
A Wellbeing Zone will be accessible to all passengers, located between the Premium Economy and Economy sections. This space will feature handholds for stretching, a guided program on screen, and a hydration station. Lighting, meal times, and crew rest schedules were designed with specialists in jet lag and fatigue.
Record-breaking operations
The test aircraft for this model has already set records. It completed a record-breaking 24-hour, 24-minute flight between Melbourne and Toulouse, covering about 22,500 kilometers. This surpassed a previous record it set on a flight from Toulouse to Melbourne that took around 19 hours. These missions validated the extra fuel tank, fuel management, and cabin comfort under extreme conditions.
The Sydney-London route, at nearly 17,000 kilometers, will become the world's longest regular passenger flight, lasting up to 22 hours. While shorter in duration, the Sydney-New York service will be equally unprecedented, as a commercial non-stop service between Australia and New York has never existed. The current longest regular non-stop flight is operated by Singapore Airlines between New York and Singapore, at nearly 19 hours.
On the ground, pilots are already training in Australia's first A350 simulator, located in Sydney. Before the 12th aircraft arrives, Qantas will train more than 360 pilots and 1,200 cabin crew. Aircraft delivery, ticket sales, and service commencement remain subject to regulatory certifications and approvals.
A historical connection
Qantas first reached New York in 1958 on its inaugural around-the-world service, which included stops in Fiji, Honolulu, and San Francisco. Since 2018, nearly two million passengers have flown on the airline's existing long-haul non-stop routes, such as Perth to London, Rome, and Paris, which are among the highest-rated for satisfaction in its international network.
The airline does not plan to immediately replace its entire stopover network. A dual model is defined, with the 238-seat A350-1000ULR targeting travelers who pay for time and a direct flight. The A380 and 787 will continue to serve itineraries via hubs like Singapore, Perth, or Auckland. For the London route, Qantas estimates a fare premium of around 20% compared to tickets with a stopover.
According to Qantas, visitor arrivals from the United States have increased 5% year-on-year. The airline's traffic to and from New York has nearly doubled since 2023. Passenger intent to book an ultra-long-haul non-stop flight has risen from 58% to 70% since February, reaching 80% among premium travelers.
Group CEO Vanessa Hudson framed the announcement within the airline's historical identity. She stated that "conquering the tyranny of distance has been part of what Qantas is about from the start." Hudson added that from 2028, a passenger "will be able to board in Sydney and land in New York about 18 hours later without stopping once." The formal order for the A350-1000ULR was signed in May 2022, and the program faced delays due to tank redesign and supply chain issues. With London in 2027 and New York in 2028, Qantas has finally set the two cities that defined the project from its origin. Remaining details like frequency, schedules, and prices will be revealed when ticket sales open in August 2027.
