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American Airlines’ Only Nonstop Service To Australia Returns

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Daniel Ross
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American is heading back down under.

Beginning on October 29, 2022, American Airlines will begin operating its nonstop service from Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD) once again.

The route will start the same day that American inaugurates service from Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to Auckland (AKL) — the airline’s only other route to the Oceania region.

Let’s take a look at the details.

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American Returns to Australia

Sydney Opera House Australia
Image Credit: Arvin Wiyono via Unsplash

The nonstop service to Australia returns at the perfect time for those looking to escape the cool winters for sunnier pastures Down Under.

The route will operate once daily with the following schedule:

  • Depart Los Angeles (LAX) 11:35 p.m. — Arrive Sydney (SYD) 9 a.m. (+2) 
  • Depart Sydney (SYD) 11:15 a.m. — Arrive Los Angeles (LAX) 7:04 a.m 

Note that due to the departure times and the international date lines, passengers traveling in a westerly direction arrive a whole 2 days later than they departed, meaning they lose an entire day.

On the return leg to California, despite departing at 11:15 a.m. in Sydney, passengers will land in Los Angeles the very same day before they’d even taken off at 7:04 a.m.

The cheapest return fares we’re seeing currently are from $1,397 in economy, $3,074 in premium economy, and $7,271 in business class. 

Hot Tip: As well as taking a long time to get there, it often costs a pretty penny when using cash to fly nonstop to Australia from the U.S. Thankfully, there are some great points and miles options to consider instead which could save you a wad of cash.

When the service returns at the end of October 2022, it will be operated by American’s fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners which comprise 30 lie-flat business class seats, 21 recliner seats in premium economy, and a total of 198 seats in regular economy, and a further 36 in Main Cabin Extra — American’s ‘economy plus’ equivalent.

There’ll be a brief spell over the busy winter holiday travel period from December 16, 2022, through January 10, 2023, when the Dreamliner will be switched out with the American’s Boeing 777-300s.

These jets also boast American’s Flagship First cabins which would set you back a cool $16,000 for a return trip.

American’s LA to Sydney hop — and the airline’s only route to Australia — joins Delta, Qantas, and United who all have already resumed their connections between the 2 cities.

Final Thoughts

Sydney has a welcome spot back on American Airlines’ route map. From October 29, 2022, the carrier will resume nonstop service between Los Angeles (LAX) and Sydney (SYD). Here’s hoping this is just the start of even more American Airlines nonstops to Australia.

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About Daniel Ross

Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points Guy, and more.

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