Qantas Adds New Routes and Capacity To Make Australia More Accessible

by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 6:45 PM ET, Fri June 9, 2023

It's becoming far easier for U.S. travelers to get to Australia, particularly for individuals who are based on the East Coast.

Starting Wednesday, June 14, Qantas Airways will resume service to New York City’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport three days per week with a new route to Sydney and other Australia connections via Auckland, New Zealand. And come October, the service will increase in frequency to four days per week, according to the airline.

The routes are part of a continued increase in flight capacity between the U.S. and Australia in 2023, providing more options for Americans to visit Down Under. By year’s end, airline seat capacity between the two countries is anticipated to reach 88 percent of pre-COVID levels with 123 flights per week, the airline said.

Here’s a closer look at the recent and upcoming flight capacity growth between the U.S. and Australia.

Delta Air Lines

Increase its Los Angeles LAX to Sydney SYD from daily flights to 10 times per week, again in 2023-2024 for the peak Northern winter season, slated to begin in October.

Qantas Airways

Relaunched the San Francisco SFO to Sydney SYD route on May 22, 2023–three times per week
Relaunching New York City JFK to Sydney via Auckland on June 14, 2023– three times per week and up to four times per week from October 30, 2023
Use of a larger Airbus A380 on the Los Angeles LAX to Melbourne MEL route on two of the nine flights per week, currently being serviced by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

United Airlines

New Los Angeles LAX to Brisbane BNE service launching November 29, 2023—three times per week
Increased frequency of San Francisco SFO to Sydney SYD from one time daily to two times daily flights starting October 28, 2023
Increased frequency of Los Angeles LAX to Melbourne MEL from three times weekly to daily starting October 28, 2023
Increased frequency of San Francisco SFO to Brisbane BNE from three times weekly to daily starting October 28, 2023
Resumption of Houston IAH to Sydney SYD with one flight per week on October 29, 2023; increasing to daily on November 29, 2023
Use of a larger Boeing 777 aircraft from San Francisco SFO to Melbourne MEL, adding 65 percent more seats to the route compared to 2019 pre-COVID.

New Tourist Attractions and Developments

In addition to the new routes, there’s a variety of tourist developments on offer in Australia. This includes:

New Indigenous Rainforest Tours in Queensland: SEIT Outback Tours has launched two new Daintree Dreaming Tours to explore the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest and learn about the traditions of the Kuku Yalanji people, the Indigenous people of Mossman country. 

New villa accommodation in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory: The five Yellow Water Villas each feature handmade king-size beds, ensuite bathrooms, a dining area, lounge, as well as a BBQ and private veranda with a bathtub. Each reflects the stories of the local Indigenous community, and authentic decor sourced from local artists. 

Tiny House Stay on Western Australia Winery: The new Alisa Tiny Cabin sits on the Whicher Ridges Wines Estate, 20 minutes from Busselton in the famed Margaret River region. Sample local wines while kangaroos graze nearby and black cockatoos soar overhead.