Qantas to Sell Tickets Next August for Nonstop New York to Sydney Flights
By Aboki Forex —
Qantas Airways plans to start selling seats next August on its first nonstop flight between New York and Sydney, with the service set to launch in 2028. The Australian carrier is also filling out details for an even longer route, London to Sydney, which it plans to launch next October.
The New York to Sydney trip will take about 18 hours, putting it close to the current world's longest flight. That title is held by Singapore Airlines' nonstop service from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Singapore, which can top 19 hours. Qantas expects to take the crown next fall when it debuts nonstops between London Heathrow and Sydney that take about 20 hours. Flight times vary based on direction and time of year.
An extra fuel tank for the marathon route
The airline will use new Airbus A350-1000 ULR, or ultra-long range, jets for the marathon flights. The aircraft come with an extra fuel tank for the trip and will be fitted with first class, business class, premium economy and standard economy cabins.
Singapore Airlines, by contrast, operates its New York to Singapore flight with only business class and premium economy seats.
Strong demand for ultra-long-haul
Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson said the new flights follow strong demand for another ultra-long-haul route: the carrier's Perth, Australia, to London service, which runs more than 17 hours and is flown on a 787 Dreamliner.
“What we have been able to learn from that is that there is absolutely a customer who wants this and is prepared to pay a premium for it,” she said in an interview in New York, adding that travelers are trying to avoid having to connect in other airports.
The ultra-long-haul program, which Qantas calls Project Sunrise, saw the carrier spend years working with sleep scientists to study jet lag. Hudson said the airline has looked at ways to minimize the effects of traveling long distances, using things like different lighting schemes so customers can get used to the time zone at their destination.