Qantas Plans 18-Hour Sydney-to-New York Nonstop Flights by 2028
Australia's national carrier will launch its second ultra long-haul route in mid-2028, trimming at least three hours off current travel times.
Qantas has announced plans to operate direct nonstop flights between Sydney and New York beginning in mid-2028, offering an 18-hour journey that would cut at least three hours from the current travel time required with layovers or longer routing.
The route marks the second leg of the airline's ambitious Project Sunrise initiative, which aims to connect Sydney to major global cities without a stopover. The first planned service — a direct Sydney-to-London flight — is scheduled to launch in October 2027, following earlier delays that pushed back the original timeline.
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To ease the demands of such extended journeys, Qantas has indicated the aircraft will feature dedicated onboard 'wellbeing zones,' an amenity designed to help passengers manage the physical strain of nearly a full day in the air. Ultra long-haul travel has grown increasingly competitive among carriers seeking to attract premium passengers willing to pay for the convenience of eliminating connections.
The Sydney-New York corridor is one of the world's most commercially significant international routes, linking Australia's largest city with the United States' financial and cultural capital. By offering a nonstop option, Qantas would position itself as the sole carrier providing that direct link, a potential differentiator in a market where transit times weigh heavily on business travelers' decisions.
The 2028 launch timeline gives Qantas roughly three years to finalize aircraft configurations, crew training, and regulatory approvals needed for one of the longest commercial flights in aviation history. Continue reading at Business | The Guardian.
