As North Americans wrap up their summer season, Australia is preparing to welcome incentive travelers and corporate meetings with its summer just getting underway.
Beginning in late 2025, new nonstop air service will make access to Australia’s major cities more seamless than ever—opening fresh opportunities for planners seeking long-haul destinations that blend world-class infrastructure with unforgettable cultural experiences.
Four new direct flights launching between December 2025 and January 2026 will link San Francisco, Los Angeles and Dallas to Australia’s cultural capitals, perfectly timed for the country’s peak travel season.
From Sydney’s iconic harbor to Melbourne’s world-class fashion and art scene and Brisbane’s dynamic contemporary culture, the new nonstop routes give planners and incentive groups direct access to destinations where cultural immersion can be woven seamlessly into meetings, events and reward travel programs.
New U.S.–Australia Nonstop Routes
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Los Angeles (LAX) to Brisbane (BNE) — American Airlines | Launches Dec. 5, 2025
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Los Angeles (LAX) to Melbourne (MEL) — Delta Air Lines | Launches Dec. 2025
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San Francisco (SFO) to Adelaide (ADL) — United Airlines | Launches Dec. 11, 2025
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Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) to Sydney (SYD) — Qantas A380 | Launches Jan. 2026
American Airlines and Qantas are significantly expanding service between the U.S. and Australia ahead of the 2025–26 summer season. On Dec. 5, 2025, American Airlines will launch three weekly nonstop flights from LAX to Brisbane, operating through the end of January 2026.
Beginning in January 2026, Qantas will upgrade all Dallas–Fort Worth to Sydney flights to the double-decker Airbus A380. Delta Air Lines is also joining the expansion, with new nonstop service between LAX and Melbourne, scheduled to begin in December 2025, providing additional capacity into Australia’s cultural and fashion hub.
United Airlines will make history by launching the first-ever direct service between the U.S. and Adelaide. Beginning Dec. 11, 2025, the carrier will operate three weekly flights between San Francisco and Adelaide on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, continuing through March 2026.
With this addition, United becomes the only airline offering direct service from the U.S. to all four major Australian gateways—Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. The new San Francisco–Adelaide connection also ranks among the 30 longest flights in the world.
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