In a move as welcome as a tailwind over the Tasman, American Airlines and Qantas have unveiled a fresh expansion of their transpacific services, offering Aussie travellers and Stateside explorers even more ways to criss-cross the Pacific in style. The new routes, set to take flight this October and December, serve as a timely reminder that the Australia-US friendship isn’t just built on politics and popcorn—it’s built on boarding passes and seat-back screens.
Los Angeles to Brisbane? LAX Marks the Spot
From December 5, American Airlines will take to the skies with three weekly flights between Los Angeles (LAX) and Brisbane (BNE), adding a glitzy Hollywood-to-Howard Smith Wharves option for sun-chasing Americans and homesick Aussies. It’s a timely addition for Brisbane, a city that’s come of age faster than a barista’s beard. No longer just the gateway to the Gold Coast, Brissie is increasingly being billed as Australia’s best-kept secret, though not for much longer.
American’s Vice Chair and Chief Strategy Officer Steve Johnson gushed like a Boeing fuel pump: “We’re proud to partner with Qantas to increase travel options to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Together, we offer the most comprehensive service connecting the U.S. with Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.”
Qantas Cranks It Up from DFW
Meanwhile, Qantas is giving its engines a proper warm-up with additional daily services between Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Melbourne (MEL) from December 3 to the end of January 2026. It’s all part of a broader transpacific tango that sees Qantas putting its colossal Airbus A380 on the daily DFW–Sydney (SYD) run from January, because nothing says long-haul luxury like an onboard lounge and room to stretch your legs without elbowing the stranger next to you.
Cam Wallace, Qantas’ Group CEO of International, added his slice of understated corporate optimism: “The strength of our partnership with American Airlines continues to bring great benefit to our customers.” And fair enough, too. With reciprocal status perks, more flights, and increased capacity, it will be a perfect Southern summer for transpacific jet-setters.
A380s, Flagship Suites, and Quokkas—Oh My!
If the aircraft alone doesn’t tempt you, perhaps the seats will. American’s returning seasonal DFW–Brisbane service—beginning October 26—will feature its flash new Boeing 787-9, complete with Flagship Suite® seats (think private pods with lie-flat beds) and 32 Premium Economy spots for those who like their legroom without the guilt of First.
Throw in Qantas’ flying double-decker—the A380 returning to DFW-SYD—and you’ve got an airborne arms race that benefits one key stakeholder: the passenger. Whether you’re en route to snorkel with technicolour fish on the Great Barrier Reef, clink glasses at a Melbourne rooftop bar, or say g’day to the world’s most photogenic marsupial on Rottnest Island, you’ll now have more ways to get there, and in considerably more comfort.
A Partnership That Delivers
Let’s be honest: airline alliances often promise the world and deliver a lukewarm meal and a delayed flight. But in the case of the American-Qantas joint venture, it’s hard to argue with results. Between them, the duo will offer the most extensive network between North America and Australasia, including flights from five North American gateways (LAX, DFW, New York JFK, San Francisco and Vancouver) to four major South Pacific hubs (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland).
Travellers can earn and burn points on both carriers, upgrade using AAdvantage® miles on Qantas, and enjoy priority perks across the board. If you’re flying with status, expect the royal treatment—extra baggage, early boarding, lounge access, and all the other things that make the economy slightly more bearable and premium, and feel positively presidential.
Tickets Take Off May 12
American’s new LAX–BNE service goes on sale May 12. So, whether you’re planning a Stateside Christmas with a dash of Brisbane humidity or dreaming of escaping the U.S. winter for an Aussie summer of mangoes and misadventure, the skies just opened up.
Final Boarding Call
With the world back on the move and Aussies itching to make up for lost holidays, this latest update from American and Qantas is more than just a timetable tweak. It’s a vote of confidence in travel’s great revival and a reminder that some partnerships are more than just codeshares—they’re cultural connectors.
So fasten your seatbelts, folks. It’s going to be a smooth ride Down Under.
By Alison Jenkins
