Qantas Announces First Nonstop New York-Sydney Flight for 2028

Qantas Airways will begin selling seats for a nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport in August 2027, with the inaugural flight scheduled for mid-2028. The route is expected to take about 18 hours, placing it among the world’s longest commercial flights. Current records are held by Singapore Airlines’ New York-Singapore service, which can exceed 19 hours.

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The New York-Sydney flight is the second leg of Qantas’s “Project Sunrise” ultra-long-haul program, which also includes a nonstop Sydney-London service slated for October 2027. Project Sunrise was developed over several years with input from sleep scientists, focusing on lighting schemes and cabin environments intended to reduce jet-lag for passengers on flights that can exceed 20 hours.

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Both ultra-long-haul routes will be operated with specially adapted Airbus A350-1000 ultra-long-range (ULR) aircraft. Modifications include a 20,000-liter rear fuel tank, increased maximum take-off weight, reinforced landing gear, and Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines that deliver 97,000 lbf of thrust while burning roughly 25 % less fuel than earlier models. To accommodate the additional fuel, passenger capacity is reduced from 372 to 238 seats, divided among first class, business class, premium economy and standard economy cabins. Designer David Caon has incorporated mood-adjusting lighting and ergonomic layouts to help passengers adjust to destination time zones during the 18-hour New York-Sydney segment.

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Hudson added that travelers are increasingly seeking to avoid connecting flights, a trend that underpins the decision to open the New York-Sydney market.

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During the 2026-2027 winter schedule, Qantas will operate 13 nonstop routes with block times over 14 hours, totaling 8,818 long-haul departures. The longest of these is Perth-London at 17 hours 50 minutes. A new Sydney-Las Vegas service will launch on December 29, covering 6,708 nautical miles (12,423 km) with a maximum block time of 15 hours 15 minutes, operating three times weekly on a 236-seat Boeing 787-9. The final return flight on this route is scheduled for March 12. The winter schedule, which begins on October 25, will remain in effect until March 27, 2027.

18-Hour Flights: Qantas' Top 13 Ultra-Long Nonstop Routes Revealed

• New York-Sydney flight time: ~18 hours.

New York Times

• Sydney-London flight time: ~22 hours, the longest commercial passenger service.

New York Times

• Airbus A350-1000ULR passenger capacity: 238 seats (down from 372).

Qantas to launch ultra-long-haul flights using modified A350-1000ULR

• Sydney-Las Vegas distance: 6,708 nautical miles; block time up to 15 hours 15 minutes; three weekly flights.

18-Hour Flights: Qantas' Top 13 Ultra-Long Nonstop Routes Revealed

• 52,000 round-trip passengers previously traveled between Sydney and Las Vegas via Los Angeles.

Qantas reveals 13 longest nonstop routes for winter

• August 2027: Ticket sales open for the New York-Sydney nonstop.

New York Times

• Mid-2028: First New York-Sydney flight commences.

New York Times

• December 29: Sydney-Las Vegas service begins.

Qantas reveals 13 longest nonstop routes for winter

• March 27, 2027: Winter schedule concludes.

18-Hour Flights: Qantas' Top 13 Ultra-Long Nonstop Routes Revealed

These developments position Qantas at the forefront of ultra-long-haul commercial aviation, offering premium nonstop connections between major global hubs.

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