Since announcing plans to expand its Project Sunrise network in June, Qantas has now confirmed New York as the newest route under the highly anticipated program, giving Frequent Flyers access to a new groundbreaking non-stop journey between Sydney and the United States. The route is the first of its kind, offering Australian travellers a more seamless way to reach the United States, while accessing an even wider network of destinations beyond New York. For Frequent Flyers, travelling to the US is about to become that much easier!
The new route is set to commence from mid-2028, with tickets going on sale from August 2027, the perfect time to get in contact with a Rewards Specialist and start planning your upcoming North American holiday. The route will significantly improve connectivity for Australian travellers, reducing point-to-point travel time by up to three hours compared with the fastest one-stop journeys currently available.
While the convenience of flying non-stop will appeal to many travellers, around 18 hours in the air won’t be for everyone. We expect there will be greater appetite among premium cabin travellers, where additional space, privacy and a fully flat bed make ultra-long-haul flying considerably more comfortable.
Project Sunrise flights to New York will be operated using specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft, fitted with an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank that enables the aircraft to fly more than 16,000 kilometres and remain in the air for up to 22 hours non-stop. The aircraft will also showcase innovative and contemporary design, with materials and cabin configurations created to prioritise comfort and space. Featuring a 1-2-1 seating configuration, Business Class will offer private suites with sliding doors for the first time, alongside adjustable dividers between alternating centre seats for added privacy. Elevating the experience further, Qantas has incorporated an 80-inch fully flat bed, larger than their current Airbus A380 First Class flat bed giving Business Class travellers increased room for relaxation throughout their journey. Together, these features deliver world-class comfort on one of the world’s longest flights. Planning an upcoming New York trip and want to experience the Qantas Business Class Suite for yourself? Chat to one of our Rewards Specialists to find out more.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the Project Sunrise Sydney to New York route marked a defining moment for travel between Australia and the United States.
“Conquering the tyranny of distance has been part of who Qantas is from the very beginning. Reaching New York non-stop completes a vision we set out many years ago, and it’s a moment of enormous pride for the thousands of our people who have been working hard to make Project Sunrise a reality.
“New York has always captured the imagination, and for generations, reaching it from Australia has meant breaking up the journey somewhere along the way. From 2028, our customers will be able to board in Sydney and arrive in New York around 18 hours later without stopping once, cutting around three hours off the current fastest travel time. That changes what’s possible for travel between our two countries.”
With growing demand for travel between Australia and the United States, Project Sunrise’s direct Sydney to New York service arrives at an exciting time for Australian Frequent Flyers. Not only will the route make travelling to North America more accessible, but it will also give travellers another opportunity to maximise the value of their Frequent Flyer points, and what better journey to use them on than one of Qantas’ most anticipated new routes?
Ultimately, the market will decide on the overall success of this new service direct from Sydney to New York on Project Sunrise. Many of our customers’ decisions are still based on value, especially in the current macroeconomic environment, so if these fares, which are to be released in August 2027, are priced appropriately, it’ll be successful. However, if Qantas tries to overcharge for the convenience, and if there are significant savings with the traditional routings, this new service may get off to a slower start.
Chat with an Rewards Specialist to discover how you can get more value from your next Qantas journey. Cutting around three hours from the current fastest travel time can make all the difference on a long-haul trip, and we’re excited to see how Project Sunrise impacts Australia’s connectivity with the world in 2028 and beyond. Bookings go on sale in August 2027. Speak with a Rewards Specialist and start planning your next North American holiday.
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