Qantas to Fly Sydney–New York Non-Stop in 2028
Qantas has confirmed that Sydney and New York will finally be linked by a non-stop flight under Project Sunrise, with services planned for mid-2028. The route will remove the Auckland stop used on Qantas’ current New York service and cut more than three hours from today’s one-stop journey. It will follow the airline’s first Project Sunrise route, Sydney–London, which launches in October 2027.
What to Know About the Sydney–New York Flight
- Route: Sydney (SYD)–New York JFK
- Airline: Qantas
- Launch: Mid-2028
- Tickets: On sale from August 2027
- Frequency: Not yet announced
- Seasonality: Not yet announced
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000ULR
- Fares: Not yet published
- Current option: Qantas currently flies Sydney–JFK via Auckland.
The specially configured A350 will carry just 238 passengers, with six First suites, 52 Business suites, 40 Premium Economy seats and 140 Economy seats. Every cabin gets free Wi-Fi, while a dedicated Wellbeing Zone offers stretching space, hydration and guided movement programmes. Qantas says Project Sunrise will cut up to four hours compared with one-stop travel, although final schedules and flight times for New York have not yet been released.
Landing at JFK puts visitors within relatively easy reach of several parts of New York without needing a car. AirTrain connects the terminals with Jamaica and Howard Beach; Jamaica offers both LIRR and subway connections, while Howard Beach connects to the A subway line. From Jamaica, LIRR services reach Penn Station or Grand Central, making Midtown, Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn practical starting points after the ultra-long-haul flight.
The real gain is removing the Auckland stop rather than simply adding another US destination. A direct Sydney–JFK flight should make New York easier to reach for shorter trips and simplify connections for travellers continuing through the US. There is still time before booking opens, however: Qantas notes that aircraft delivery, ticket sales and service commencement are subject to regulatory approvals and aircraft certification.
