Qantas to launch non-stop Sydney–New York flights
Qantas announces 18-hour direct flights from Sydney to New York with onboard ‘wellbeing zones’
Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Warm-up
- What is the longest flight you have taken?
- Do you prefer a stopover or a non-stop journey? Why?
- What helps you stay comfortable on long flights?
Vocabulary
- route
- a regular path or journey that a plane, bus or train follows
- disclose
- to share information publicly that was not known before
- premium
- higher quality or price than the standard option
- margin
- the percentage difference between costs and profit
- demand
- how many people want to buy or use something
- simulator
- a machine or program that copies real conditions for training
- wellbeing
- a state of being healthy and comfortable
- cabin
- the inside area of an aircraft where passengers or crew sit
Reading
Qantas says travellers will be able to fly non-stop between Sydney and New York in about 18 hours from mid-2028. The route is part of Project Sunrise and follows direct Sydney to London flights planned for October 2027. It would be the first commercial direct service from Sydney’s Kingsford-Smith airport to New York’s JFK.
Qantas has not disclosed prices for the new route but has suggested direct fares could be about 20% higher. Tickets are due on sale in August 2027.
A July test model flew 24 hours 24 minutes from Melbourne to Toulouse. Each aircraft adds a wellbeing zone between the economy and premium economy cabins, with guided exercise videos plus snacks and drinks. The 238-seat layout includes six first-class suites, 52 business, 40 premium economy, and 140 economy.
The airline expects Project Sunrise and sustained premium demand to lift earnings by $400m over five years, raising its profit margin from 4% to 10%. It is training 360 pilots on an A350 simulator and preparing 1,200 cabin crew for the new aircraft.
Comprehension
- When are the non-stop Sydney–New York flights due to start?
- How long will the new direct flight take?
- What special area will the new aircraft include?
- When will tickets for the route go on sale?
- What profit margin is Qantas aiming for?
Grammar focus
Wish / if only
Use wish + past simple for wishes about the present (unreal now). Use wish/if only + had + past participle for regrets about the past. (Examples constructed.)
- Passengers wish the nonstop flight were shorter.
- If only the airline had started training crew earlier.
Grammar exercise
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
- Many travellers wish their long flights (be) ___ shorter.
- If only the airline (announce) ___ fares earlier, more would buy.
- Cabin crew wish they (have) ___ more rest between trips.
- Passengers wish they (sleep) ___ better on long flights.
- If only pilots (complete) ___ training earlier, schedules would be smoother.
Discussion
- Would you pay more to avoid a stopover? Why or why not?
- What features matter most to you on an ultra long flight?
- Should airlines add more space or keep prices lower?
- How might direct flights change Australia–US travel?
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