Qantas announced plans to launch a direct flight between Sydney and New York in mid-2028, reducing current travel times by at least three hours. The new service is expected to take approximately 18 hours, marking a significant cut from the existing 21-hour journey that includes a stopover in Los Angeles.

This route will be the second ultra long-haul service introduced under Qantas’ Project Sunrise initiative, which aims to expand non-stop travel options between Australia and major global cities. The airline is also preparing to start direct flights from Sydney to London in October 2027 as part of the same strategic expansion.

To operate these extended routes, Qantas has acquired 12 Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, which are specially equipped with additional fuel tanks to enable flights lasting up to 22 hours without stopping. The aircraft represent some of the longest-range commercial planes in service.

Qantas plans to begin selling tickets for the Sydney to New York service in August 2027, allowing travelers to book well in advance for the mid-2028 launch. The airline’s initiative reflects growing demand for more efficient long-distance travel between Australia and key international destinations.