Qantas Plans Nonstop New York-Sydney Service in 2028

Australian carrier confirms its second ultra-long-range Project Sunrise route to be flown with Airbus A350-1000ULRs.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 04:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Qantas plans to launch the first nonstop commercial airliner service between Australia and New York in mid-2028. [Credit: Qantas]

Key Takeaways:

Qantas plans to launch the first nonstop commercial flights between New York and Sydney in mid-2028, cutting travel time to approximately 18 hours.
These ultra-long-haul flights are part of Qantas' Project Sunrise and will utilize specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, which are designed for enhanced passenger comfort.
The A350-1000ULR will feature 238 seats across four cabins, including premium options and a "well-being zone," with the first test aircraft nearing completion and pilot training already in progress.

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Australia’s Qantas said Tuesday it plans to launch direct flights between New York and Sydney in mid-2028, which would mark the first nonstop commercial service between Australia and the Big Apple.

The flights will be handled by Airbus A350-1000ULRs specially configured to fly up to 22 hours nonstop. Qantas said the New York-Sydney route will last about 18 hours, shaving more than three hours off total travel time versus existing one-stop services. The carrier began service to New York in 1958 and operates a daily one-stop service between Sydney and New York via Auckland, New Zealand.