Qantas’ almost direct flight to NYC takes off today as the airline inches closer to its much anticipated Sydney to NYC non-stop route.

Today’s launch is one of the firsts. It’s the first time the airline has flown to the Big Apple since 2020 and the route will for the first time ever transit through Auckland before joining a 16- hour direct flight to NYC. It previously operated via Los Angeles.

It will be in direct competition to Air New Zealand’s current Auckland – NYC offering with Qantas flying to New York three days a week (increasing to four per week from October) on its Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Meaning Qantas will have more services than Air NZ’s three a week on its flagship route. 

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For travellers, not having to connect through the notoriously busy LAX is a win. Instead travellers coming from Australia will have a  stopover in Auckland where Qantas is undergoing a massive redesign and expansion of its Auckland International Lounge due to open in mid-2024.

“We think this route will be very popular with Australians given the opportunity to connect via Auckland, with the option to spend some time in the city before heading onwards to New York, and it also gives New Zealanders more choice,” says Qantas Group CEO, Alan Joyce.

The airline says the brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliners are the best suited plane to these ultra long-haul flights which currently service their direct London and Rome routes. The cabins have more room and fewer seats with the airline investing much research into Project Sunrise to combat the effects of jet lag and promote the health and wellness of passengers onboard.

To tie in with the launch, Australian chef and Qantas Director of Food, Neil Perry, has created a range of New York inspired dishes for the lounge and inflight menu.

“We are using some amazing local produce to put our own spin on some of New York’s most famous food experiences,” said Perry.

From a Reuben sandwich, to a classic hot dog, to a New York style spaghetti and meatballs and a NY bagel with lox, cream cheese and capers, flyers will get a taste of New York before even touching down. The Qantas First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne and the Auckland International Lounge will also feature a New York inspired dish of the day for the month of June.

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The airline famous for its PJs has teamed up with Aussie designer, Rebecca Vallance, for a limited edition navy blue set with a monogram of the Qantas roo and the iconic New York heart design. Of course, you’ll have to fly business class to get your hands on a set. A small number will also be available to purchase on Qantas Marketplace for $69.

To kick off the route, Qantas has increased its daily services to Auckland to 11 from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne to better connect with the flight.

The relaunch of the New York flight brings the airline closer to returning to 100 per cent of its international network pre-covid capacity by March 2024. The new route means Qantas now operates three of the top five longest flights in the world, including Perth-London and Dallas Melbourne.

This story originally appeared on escape.com.au. It has been reproduced here with permission. 

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