Story perspectives

Qantas to launch nonstop New York–Sydney flights by 2028

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 2:22 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Qantas Airways will launch nonstop New York-Sydney flights by mid-2028.
The New York-Sydney service will take about 18 hours, three hours faster than current routes.
Qantas will start nonstop Sydney-London flights in October 2027, lasting roughly 22 hours.
Both ultra-long-range routes will use Airbus A350-1000 jets equipped with extra fuel tanks.
The A350-1000 will seat 238 passengers, fewer than the standard 372, to accommodate more fuel.

History

Historical Context

When Boeing rolled out the 747-100 and Pan Am launched its first New York–London service on 22 January 1970, the aircraft’s 5,800-mile range and 366-seat capacity created the first nonstop intercontinental links. Qantas now plans 2027-2028 nonstop Sydney–London and New York–Sydney flights with Airbus A350-1000s, continuing the pattern of each new generation’s longer range reshaping global routes.

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Story summary

Qantas Airways will launch nonstop New York-Sydney flights by mid-2028.
The New York-Sydney service will take about 18 hours, three hours faster than current routes.
Qantas will start nonstop Sydney-London flights in October 2027, lasting roughly 22 hours.
Both ultra-long-range routes will use Airbus A350-1000 jets equipped with extra fuel tanks.
The A350-1000 will seat 238 passengers, fewer than the standard 372, to accommodate more fuel.

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