SYDNEY- Qantas (QF) will become the first airline in the world to operate a nonstop route between Australia and Las Vegas, marking a significant milestone in long-haul aviation.

The new seasonal service will connect Sydney Airport (SYD) with Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), cutting travel time by up to five hours by removing the need for connections through other US gateways.

The Sydney–Las Vegas route will begin on 29 December 2026 and operate until 12 March 2027. With this launch, Qantas expands its global footprint and strengthens air connectivity between Australia and the United States during peak travel and event seasons.

Qantas’ Sydney-Las Vegas Flights

The new service will operate as QF55 three times per week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.

Qantas will deploy its Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the route, an aircraft known for its long-range efficiency and passenger comfort.

QF55 is scheduled to depart Sydney at 9:00 pm and arrive in Las Vegas at 3:55 pm, with a flight time of approximately 13 hours and 55 minutes. Economy return fares will start from AUD$1,099, offering competitive pricing for a nonstop transpacific journey.

The addition of Las Vegas marks the 101st destination on the Qantas network.

It also becomes the airline’s eighth city across North and South America, joining Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, Dallas, New York, Vancouver, and Santiago.

SYD-LAS Will Boost Tourism

The route aligns with major global events hosted in Las Vegas, including the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), one of the world’s largest technology exhibitions.

It also supports growing sports tourism demand as the city hosts the National Rugby League’s annual season-opening Las Vegas Festival, which has become a key event for Australian fans.

For the past two years, Qantas has operated charter flights in partnership with the NRL to transport fans from Australia’s East Coast to Las Vegas. Those flights have consistently recorded strong demand, with the 2026 services fully booked for the third consecutive year.

Las Vegas attracts more than 250,000 Australian visitors annually, making Australia its second-largest overseas source market.

The new nonstop connection is expected to stimulate further growth in visitor numbers while also encouraging more American travelers to explore Australia.

Qantas’ Fleet and Expansion

Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said sustained demand for overseas travel is driving the airline’s seasonal expansion strategy.

He noted that previous seasonal services to Rome and Sapporo demonstrated that travelers respond strongly to direct flights timed around peak interest periods.

Wallace also emphasized that the airline’s ongoing fleet renewal program provides greater flexibility to open new long-haul routes. The addition of Las Vegas reflects Qantas’ ability to deploy aircraft strategically where market demand supports sustainable operations.

Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell, welcomed the route, highlighting that 745,000 Americans visited Australia last year. He stated that direct connectivity will further strengthen tourism and trade ties between the two countries.

Qantas Frequent Flyers can also earn double Qantas Points, equal to six points per dollar spent, on Qantas Hotels and Holiday packages to Las Vegas for bookings made before 2 March 2026. This incentive is expected to further boost early bookings for the inaugural season.

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