American Airlines brings forward Sydney-Los Angeles flights
Qantas’ Stateside partner is fast-tracking its return to Sydney, with flights back from November.
By Chris Chamberlin, September 7 2020
Qantas partner American Airlines will be back in Australian skies from November, relaunching non-stop flights between Sydney and Los Angeles.
The carrier previously planned to pause its Sydney route until mid-2021, but with Qantas keeping its own international fleet grounded until at least next year, the Flying Kangaroo will sell seats on American Airlines’ flights to those exempt from the Australian Government’s ongoing travel ban.
From November 12, AA will fly passengers from Sydney to LAX four times each week aboard its flagship Boeing 777-300ER, fitted with first class, business class, premium economy, Main Cabin Extra and economy class (Main Cabin).
At the very front, AA’s first class seats adopt an open design, transitioning between dining and sleep modes as expected.
For passengers seated by the windows, these seats also swivel to face outwards, creating an inflight working suite with views to rival your corner office.
Seats in the centre pair instead swivel to face each other, although a privacy divider can be raised in between if flying solo.
ET review: AA Boeing 777 first class, Sydney-Los Angeles
In business class, you’ll instead find a familiar seat waiting for you, based on the same ‘Cirrus’ business class seat widely adopted by airlines like Cathay Pacific:
ET review: AA Boeing 777 business class, Los Angeles-Sydney
Here’s the flight schedule as of November 12 (November 10 departing Los Angeles):
|
Route |
Flight number |
Departure time |
Arrival time |
Days served |
|
Sydney-Los Angeles |
AA72 (QF309) |
11:15am |
6:10am |
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays |
|
Los Angeles-Sydney |
AA73 (QF310) |
10:40pm |
9am (+2 days) |
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays |
On the other days of the week, American Airlines will operate cargo-only flights into and out of Sydney – giving the airline a daily service to Australia, as it had prior to COVID-19.
As Qantas is codesharing on AA’s Sydney flights and the two airlines maintain a Joint Venture agreement on the route, it’s expected that Qantas passengers affected by the airline’s own flight cancellations may be given the option to rebook their travel with American, under QF flight numbers.
Come November, American Airlines will be the third major US carrier to continue serving Australia, with United Airlines running regular flights between Sydney and San Francisco, and Virgin Australia partner Delta similarly flying between Sydney and Los Angeles.
Also read: International travel ban set to continue to December 2020
Chris Chamberlin lives by the motto that a journey of a thousand miles begins not just with a single step, but also a strong latte, a theatre ticket, and later in the day, a good gin and tonic.
17 Jun 2020
Total posts 247
Excellent news.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Mar 2014
Total posts 223
Great so we are free to get on board in Nov?
13 Feb 2015
Total posts 64
Your question is answered in the article.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Oct 2019
Total posts 15
you need an exemption.
13 May 2020
Total posts 749
today maybe, but we not talking today, rather in over 2 months time. That's "decades" away in politics & it's all political now, nothing to do with health. Australia has gone down the wrong road, but no politician will admit the stuff up.
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 619
The outbound travel restriction was extended the other day until at least 17th December.
13 May 2020
Total posts 749
AJW
So what ? That can be changed in a nano second. You're implying that politicians never change their minds.
I think the Qld election in about 7 weeks will show how misguided some of the crazy decisions by states have been.
The public is sick of the nonsense & the lack of consistency. On weekend somewhere between 500 & 1000 protesting in BNE. No arrests, no fine whatsoever(does anyone actually pay any of the fines?), but in same breath, Qld premier says on 10 can gather.
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 619
I wasn’t implying anything actually. Just stating a fact that the outbound restriction has been extended.
Of course it can be varied at whim, never said it couldn’t, though frankly I don’t see it happening and in fact see it being extended even more. I see you made some comment about Joyce in another thread basically saying he can and will change his mind. Again you may be right but if he does it is going to take a bit of time to get flying internationally again and it won’t be this side of new year.
State borders are a different issue and are more politically motivated that’s for sure.
10 Aug 2020
Total posts 22
Only if ya a movie star or a sports star you will.......not be allowed if ya just an ordinary tax paying citizen....
17 Jun 2020
Total posts 247
To be fair, you can also be a former PM who wants to go to the UK or a mining magnate who wants to spend time in Croatia. As long as you're not a pleb who wants to see family overseas.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 332
Well said KW72
07 May 2020
Total posts 151
Ha ha.... Make sure you have the great Australian Exit Visa first.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
21 Jul 2019
Total posts 96
Let's all just keep focused on this interesting bit aviation news from AA and not opportunistically use it to air personal political views. I believe David and Chris repeatedly made it clear about keeping comments on point.
27 Aug 2020
Total posts 4
Hear, hear. Save your bias.
14 Feb 2015
Total posts 12
US airlines are ready and able to take market share from QF. Given Q won’t be flying much of an international schedule for a long time yet they will lose a lot of flying to overseas airlines I would dare say.
13 May 2020
Total posts 749
who says qantas won't be flying internationally for a long time ? Joyce ? He can change his mind fast just like politicians. Everyone has an agenda.
Qantas international flights are still live in their booking system for all or most destinations, at least for next month, last time I looked.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Aug 2015
Total posts 15
Good news..... Thanks AA for showing an interest in returning to Australia
06 Nov 2017
Total posts 3
I dont think there is going to be much of a demand for flights. With the covid cases in America still high and insurance not covering Covid anymore , you would pretty much be a fool to risk the chance of paying for healthcare in America out of your own pocket.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Aug 2015
Total posts 15
There is demand for Australia's living/working in the US to return home, plus there is demand for US citizens that live/work in Australia who need to travel back to the US. Especially in specific industries (Investment banking, Consulting, Pharma and the Oil & gas supermajors) that have high ex-pat workforce based in Australia. Demand is high
13 May 2020
Total posts 749
this date of restart of AA flights is over 2 months away. A lot can change in 24 hours in politics.
Remember no Virgin or Qantas flights & heaps of pent up demand.
13 May 2020
Total posts 749
CORRECTION I think
Qantas flights haven't been cancelled. At least there are Qantas codeshare flights to USA next month vai Fiji. Not nonstop though.
QFF
16 May 2016
Total posts 68
Will be interesting to see what loyalty stands for after this mess. UA is the only airline that has kept a transpac flight throughout this mess. They've helped our agency immeasurably. Hopefully they grow their corporate and agency share as reward.
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