Qantas announced plans to launch 18-hour direct flights from Sydney to New York starting mid-2028, marking the second route in its Project Sunrise expansion. This new service will cut at least three hours from current travel times, which require a stopover in Los Angeles. The route will originate from Kingsford-Smith airport, offering the first commercial direct flight to JFK.

Qantas has ordered 12 Airbus A350-1000 ULR aircraft, fitted with extra fuel tanks capable of flying over 16,000km. The first plane is expected to arrive in Australia in April 2027. Each aircraft will feature a dedicated "wellbeing zone" between economy and premium economy cabins.

The airline aims to increase earnings by $400 million over the next five years as premium flight demand sustains. Tickets for the Sydney to New York route go on sale in August 2027. Qantas Chief Executive Vanessa Hudson unveiled the start date at a New York cocktail bar event.

The airline is training over 360 pilots and 1,200 cabin crew to operate the new fleet. However, Australians travelling to the US dropped 9% in the year to July 2026 despite rising short-term US arrivals. Qantas abandoned previous hopes for routes from Brisbane or Melbourne, focusing instead on Perth and the new transatlantic service.