Which Airlines Fly Between The US And Australia?

UPDATED TO REFLECT COVID FLYING CONDITIONS – Under pre-pandemic flying conditions, there were seven airlines flying between the US and Australia from Los Angeles alone. With multiple daily non-stop services, the competition was hot, and for passengers, it was never cheaper to travel. But, here we are today under COVID conditions and it has never been more expensive to travel to Australia.

Here’s a list of the airlines that fly between the USA and Australia. For quarantine on arrival into Australia, read our article here – Covid requirements -pre and post-arrival into Australia.


SUSPENDED – Virgin Australia

After Virgin Australia’s purchase by Bain Capital, domestic Australian flights resumed full operations, with all US flights suspended until further notice. At this stage, they have sold all five Boeing 777-300ER aircraft used on the route and have indicated their intention to return to Los Angeles with a different aircraft type, most likely the Boeing 787, sometime in the future.

Flights from: Daily from Los Angeles to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne
Equipment: 777-300ER
Cabin Classes: Economy, Premium Economy, Business Class
Code-Share Partners: Delta Airlines

Australia-wide domestic connections meet with Virgin Australia’s daily departures to Los Angeles, from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. With three cabins to choose from, each cabin is famed for the Virgin Australia service and unique touches. Virgin was also the first airline to introduce Premium Economy between Australia and the US.

With a cabin refresh in 2016, Australia’s second-largest airline is high on service, yet low on fares. Connections can be made from Los Angeles and beyond with code-share partners, offering daily connections throughout the US, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Virgin Australia The Business.
Virgin Australia The Business.

SUSPENDED – Qantas

Like close competitor Virgin, Qantas has also suspended all flights to the US due to the pandemic and relying on its code-share partner American Airlines for all flights (see below). While Qantas has seats for sale later in the year and into 2022, they have consistently suspended flights and dates (while allowing bookings to take place, for what one can only presume is to secure cash flow).

Flights from: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu and Dallas to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne
Equipment: A380, B787, A330
Cabin Classes: Economy, Premium Economy, Business Class, First Class (First Class A380 aircraft only)
Code-Share Partner: American Airlines

Australia’s largest airline, and the second oldest airline in the world, Qantas offer multiple daily flights between Australia and Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu and Dallas. With code-share partner American Airlines, flights throughout North America and the Caribbean are available daily. With four cabins to select from, the flying kangaroo has the most daily flights between Australia and the USA.

Qantas A380 economy cabin
Qantas A380 economy cabin

Relates stories…


United Airlines

Flights from: Los Angeles to Sydney and San Francisco to Sydney (Melbourne flights currently suspended)
Equipment: 787 Dreamliner
Cabin Classes: Economy, Business Class
Code-Share Partners: Virgin Australia, Qantas

United Airlines has been flying to Australia since the early 1980’s, after purchasing the flying rights from Pan Am. Well established on the route between Los Angeles and San Francisco to Sydney, United’s hub at LAX places it well to connect to cities throughout all of North America.

United Airlines Economy Plus cabin
United Airlines Economy Plus cabin

Delta Airlines

Flights from: Los Angeles and Sydney
Equipment: A350
Cabin Classes: Economy, Comfort Plus (extra leg room economy), Premium Select (Premium Economy), Delta One (Business Class)
Code-Share Partners: Virgin Australia

With code-share partner Virgin Australia, Delta flies daily between Los Angeles and Sydney with connections available throughout North America. ‘Comfort Plus’ is an additional option for a fee in economy class, or free to reserve seats for higher-tiered frequent flyers. Placed at the front of the cabin, a few extra welcomed inches of legroom are available, although all seats and service are still standard economy. ‘Premium Select’ is the airlines new Premium Economy cabin featured on the A350 aircraft with a dedicated cabin, enhanced serive and amenities and a newly designed seat for extra comfort. Delta One is their business class cabin and features a sliding door on every seat with direct aisle access for everyone.

With Delta’s large hub at Los Angeles Airport, connections throughout North America and the Caribbean and Canada are easy and seamless, with Australian domestic connections with partner Virgin Australia.

Delta Premium Select cabin
Delta Premium Select cabin

American Airlines

Flights from: Daily between Los Angeles and Sydney
Equipment: 787 Dreamliner
Cabin Classes: Economy, Business Class
Code-Share Partners: Qantas

Another Los Angeles to Sydney airline is American Airlines. Launched with code-share partner Qantas, the daily 787 flight offers two cabins to choose from.

As the world’s largest airline, American offers connections throughout North America from their hub in both Los Angeles and Dallas. Onward flights within Australia are with partner Qantas.

American Airlines economy
American Airlines economy

SUSPENDED – Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian suspended all flights to Australia and New Zealand due to the pandemic. At this stage, there is no resumption date.

Flights from: Honolulu to Brisbane and Sydney
Equipment: A330-300
Cabin Classes: Economy, Business Class
Code-Share Partners: Virgin Australia

Hawaiian Airlines has daily flights Honolulu to Sydney, with several weekly flights between Brisbane and Honolulu. Hawaiian has one of the more generous economy class baggage allowance, with 32kg of checked baggage per passenger (approx. 70lbs).

A refreshed cabin to both economy and business class cabins should grow customer satisfaction with the new service and cabin promises. While considered a full-service airline, Hawaiian Airlines do not offer the traditional international inflight service passengers would expect to Australia, opting for a domestic USA inflight service instead for meals. Be sure to eat prior to departure or take food and snacks onboard with you as the basic service onboard is only one meal choice (Hawaiian chicken) and no vegetarian or other options.

Hawaiian Airlines economy cabin
Hawaiian Airlines economy cabin

SUSPENDED – Jetstar

Due to the pandemic, all Jetstar flights to the US are suspended.

Flights from: Honolulu to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney
Equipment: 787 Dreamliner
Cabin Classes: Economy, Jetstar Business Class
Code-Share Partners: Qantas

The low-cost Qantas off-shoot is a no-frills operator from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne to Honolulu. Sporting an all-new 787 Dreamliner fleet, with economy and business class (although business class is more premium economy), this a-la-carte style airline offers low fares year round with passengers only paying for what they need including meals, entertainment, blanket packs and baggage.

Jetstar‘s domestic routes, and big brother Qantas’ domestic network connect travellers to Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne. Note – 2016 will see Jetstar dropping their non-stop Brisbane to Honolulu flight.

Jetstar 787 Dreamliner (Image: Jetstar)
Jetstar 787 Dreamliner (Image: Jetstar)

One-Stop Airlines USA to Australia

FIJI AIRWAYS
Note: All flights currently suspended, due to begin again August 2021 at the time of publish
Departs: Los Angeles
Arrives: Sydney
Via: Nandi
Frequent Flyer partner: Qantas, American Airlines, OneWorld

SINGAPORE AIRLINES
Note: Singapore has a green list of transit countries where you can connect same day in Singapore. America is part of that green list. View the full list here.
Departs: Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York (Newark)
Arrives: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth
Via: Singapore
Frequent Flyer partner: star Alliance, United Airlines (was Virgin Australia pre-Covid, no plans announced yet)

EMIRATES
Departs: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, New York (JFK), Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC
Arrives: Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth
Via: Dubai
Frequent Flyer partner: Qantas, Alaska Airlines, Jet Blue

ETIHAD AIRWAYS
Departs: Chicago, New York (JFK), Washington DC
Arrives: Melbourne, Sydney
Via: Abu Dhabi
Frequent Flyer partner: Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, American Airlines

QATAR
Departs: Atlanta, Houston, New York (JFK), San Francisco, Dallas, Boston, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Philadelphia
Arrives: Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane
Via: Doha
Frequent Flyer partner: Qantas, Alaska Airlines, OneWorld, American Airlines,

KOREAN AIRLINES
Departs: Honolulu, Atlanta, New York (JFK), San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas Fort Worth, Boston, Washington Dulles, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle
Arrives: Sydney, Brisbane
Via: Seoul
Frequent Flyer partner: Delta, SkyTeam

JAPAN AIRLINES
Departs: New York (JFK), San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas Fort Worth, Boston, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Kona
Arrives: Sydney, Melbourne
Via: Tokyo (Haneda)
Frequent Flyer partner: Qantas, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, OneWorld, Hawaiian Airlines


About the author

Jason Dutton-Smith is a professional nomad, first-class-wannabe and curious adventurer who enjoys travel that's two parts planned, to one part self-discovery. When at home, chief tea maker.