Qantas resumes flights to New York (JFK), with a new service via Auckland (AKL) from June 14, 2023, replacing the pre-pandemic operation via Los Angeles (LAX).
This new connection becomes the third longest routes in the entire Australian airline network along with its services to Perth (PER) – London Heathrow (LHR) and the upcoming service between Melbourne (MEL) – Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), which starts in December this year.
“We are looking forward to returning to New York and it is made possible by the delivery of new aircraft, which have been caught up in delays that have affected many airlines” said Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas Group.
“Customer feedback on our direct London and Rome services shows how well suited our Dreamliner cabins are for longer international flights like these, which is helped by the fact that we designed them with more space and fewer seats than most of our competitors. We believe this route will be very popular with Australians given the opportunity to connect through Auckland and it also gives New Zealanders more choice,” added Joyce.
Flight Itinerary
- Auckland – New York Flight QF 3 AKL 17:00 – JFK 17:15 Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
- New York – Auckland Flight QF 4 JFK 19:30 – AKL 05:00+2 Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
The route will be operated on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft with a capacity of 236 seats in three classes (42 Business Class/28 Premium Economy/166 Economy) and promotional fares are available from USD 838 each way, tickets are available for purchase.
This new service will originate from the company’s main hub in Sydney (SYD), passengers from Brisbane (BNE) and Melbourne (MEL) also have the option to connect to New York (JFK) via this route. When flights to New York commence, Qantas will have 11 daily flights between Australia and Auckland (AKL).
According to data obtained by Aviacionline through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development between June 2018-2019 107,211 passengers and 2,171.4 tons of cargo were moved between Sydney (SYD) and New York (JFK).
For the upcoming summer season, Qantas will have five destinations in North America including Los Angeles (LAX), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), San Francisco (SFO), New York (JFK) and Vancouver (YVR).
Lounge upgrade program
The airline will upgrade its lounge network with a multi-million-dollar investment to build new Adelaide, Auckland, Port Hedland and Rockhampton lounges.
“Our new Auckland International lounge will be a step change in comfort. It will offer much more space and, like all our offshore lounges, will feature the best in local design, food, and wine,” Joyce commented.
For the start of its New York service, the airline will remodel and expand its lounge precinct at Auckland International Airport (AKL), plans for which were delayed due to the pandemic.
Space from the two existing lounges will be combined and remodeled into a single Qantas International lounge and will include an expansion of space in an adjacent area to increase total capacity by around 40 percent from 244 seats to 340 seats.
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