Qantas will make aviation history this December when it becomes the first airline to operate direct flights between Australia and Las Vegas.
The new seasonal Sydney–Las Vegas service will run from 29 December 2026 through 12 March 2027, eliminating the need for passengers to connect through another US gateway and cutting travel time by up to five hours.
The route marks Las Vegas as the 101st destination on the Qantas network and its eighth city across North and South America, joining Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, Dallas, New York, Vancouver and Santiago.
The three-times-weekly service has been strategically scheduled to align with some of Las Vegas’ biggest international events, including the Consumer Electronics Show and the National Rugby League Las Vegas Festival, which has rapidly evolved into a flagship fixture for Australian sports fans abroad.
Beyond major events, Las Vegas remains a major tourism draw for Australians, offering world-class entertainment, headline music residencies, and access to attractions such as the Grand Canyon and the wider American Southwest.
For the past two years, Qantas has operated charter services in partnership with the NRL to transport fans from Australia’s east coast to Las Vegas. Those flights — including this year’s departures — have consistently sold out.
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said sustained appetite for overseas travel is fuelling the airline’s continued expansion of seasonal long-haul routes.
“Australians’ appetite for international travel continues to be incredibly strong,” Wallace said, pointing to the success of seasonal services to Rome and Sapporo as evidence of targeted demand for specific destinations at certain times of year.
He added that fleet renewal — including the deployment of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner — has given the airline greater flexibility to open routes that were previously not commercially viable.
“This growth also creates real opportunities for our people, particularly our pilots and cabin crew, as we expand where we fly,” Wallace said.
Steve Hill, President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, described the route as a milestone for the Australian market.
“Australia has consistently ranked as our second-largest overseas market and our top international market without a nonstop flight,” Hill said, noting that more than 250,000 Australians visit Las Vegas annually.
Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell, also welcomed the announcement, highlighting the strength of trans-Pacific travel flows. Last year, 745,000 Americans visited Australia.
The service will operate as QF55, departing Sydney at 21:00 and arriving in Las Vegas at 15:55 local time, with a scheduled flight time of approximately 13 hours and 55 minutes. Flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Economy return fares start from AUD$1,099, with Qantas Frequent Flyers eligible for a limited-time double points offer on Qantas Hotels and Holiday packages to Las Vegas.
Subject to regulatory approval, the inaugural flight will depart Sydney on 29 December 2026.
This post was published on 26 February 2026 22:13
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