Qantas – VH-ZNF – Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner – Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (1) · Mitchul Hope · CC BY-SA 2.0 · edited
Qantas has confirmed New York as the second route for its Project Sunrise ultra long-haul flights, with nonstop service between Sydney and New York due to start in mid-2028. Tickets are expected to go on sale in August 2027. The flights will use the airline’s new Airbus A350-1000ULR, and Qantas says the journey will take around 18 hours, cutting about three hours off today’s fastest option between the two cities.
For US travelers, this is a long-range planning story rather than something to book now. Nothing is on sale, the New York airport and the weekly frequency have not been published, and fares are unknown. But it does set a timeline: anyone considering a big Australia trip in 2028 or later now knows a one-flight option from the US East Coast is coming, and roughly when to start watching for it.
If you are already planning around the airline, our Qantas airline guide covers its fleet, cabins and loyalty programme.
- Route: Sydney to New York, nonstop, both directions.
- Launch: mid-2028, after Sydney to London starts in October 2027.
- Sales: expected from August 2027.
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000ULR with 238 seats in four cabins.
- Still unknown: New York airport, weekly frequency and fares.
New York Joins London as a Project Sunrise Route
Travel Weekly Australia reported the confirmation on September 23, saying New York becomes the second Project Sunrise route after Sydney to London, which launches in October 2027. It describes the aircraft as an A350-1000ULR fitted with an extra 20,000 litre fuel tank, able to fly more than 16,000 kilometres and stay aloft for up to 22 hours, with 238 seats across four cabins. The report says Qantas has 12 of the aircraft on order, with the first delivery due in April 2027, and that more than 360 pilots and 1,200 cabin crew will be trained on Australia’s first A350 simulator in Sydney.
Karryon, the Australian travel trade site, also covered the announcement, quoting Qantas Group chief executive Vanessa Hudson saying that from 2028 customers will be able to board in Sydney and arrive in New York around 18 hours later without stopping. Both reports put ticket sales from August 2027 and describe the flight as saving around three hours or more on current one-stop journeys.
Qantas has not said which New York airport it will use, how many flights a week it will run or what the fares will be. Treat mid-2028 as the target window rather than a date.
What It Could Cost and Why It Matters
There are no fares yet, but there is a signal from the London route. Executive Traveller reported on September 22 that Hudson expects Sydney to London nonstop fares to carry a premium of about 20% over one-stop fares, the same approach Qantas uses on Perth to London. If New York follows that pattern, travelers would pay more for the time saved, with the biggest differences in premium cabins.
The appeal is obvious for anyone who has made the trip with a connection. Removing a stop cuts total journey time and the risk of a misconnection, and gives premium cabin travelers one long flight instead of two. Economy travelers will want to see the seat and cabin details before deciding whether an 18 hour flight is better than breaking the journey.
Qantas’s first Project Sunrise route, London, launches in October 2027, and our earlier coverage of the Sydney to London launch date sets out what is known about that service.
Timeline for Travelers Planning 2028
If a 2028 Australia trip is on your list, the practical timeline is simple: watch for more route detail over the next year, then expect bookings from August 2027. Frequent flyers saving points for the route should also watch for award pricing, which Qantas has not yet published for New York.
In the meantime, current one-stop options remain the way to fly between the US and Sydney. Check what your fare includes before booking; our guide to Qantas carry-on and checked bag limits covers the allowances by cabin.
| If you… | What to do |
|---|---|
| Plan an Australia trip before mid-2028 | Book current one-stop options; the nonstop will not be flying yet. |
| Plan for mid-2028 or later | Watch for bookings from August 2027. |
| Save Qantas points for the route | Wait for award pricing; it has not been published. |
| Fly economy on long trips | Compare seat details before choosing 18 hours nonstop over a connection. |
Mid-2028. Target launch for Sydney to New York nonstop.
August 2027. Expected start of ticket sales.
About 18 hours. Qantas’s stated flight time.
When does Qantas start Sydney to New York nonstop flights?
In mid-2028, according to Qantas.
When can I book Qantas Sydney to New York nonstop?
Ticket sales are expected from August 2027.
How long is the Sydney to New York nonstop flight?
Around 18 hours, about three hours faster than today’s fastest one-stop options.
Which New York airport will Qantas use?
Qantas has not said yet.
