Qantas will launch direct flights between Australia and Chicago on April 20, 2020, with the near-17 hour, 14,326km journey becoming the world’s fourth longest passenger flight.
Tickets are expected to go on sale around 10am today, with the inaugural service taking off from Brisbane at 3.30pm on Monday April 20.
The Brisbane-Chicago flights will feature Qantas’ long range Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and initially run four days a week, although Qantas CEO Alan Joyce says “we’ll want to get to daily flights as fast as we can.”
Qantas flight QF85 will depart Brisbane at 3.30pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, reaching Chicago's O'Hare International Airport at 4.40pm the same day.
The QF86 return leg will be wheels up from Chicago at 9.50pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, landing at Brisbane at 6.10am two days later.
Sweet home, Chicago
As the first and only non-stop flight between Australia and The Windy City, this will be a valuable ‘monopoly route' for Qantas.
Chicago-bound passengers will save more than six hours of travel time on a return trip compared to flying via Los Angeles, with Brisbane-Chicago being the first and only non-stop flight to Chicago from Australia.
Buckle up for the world's fourth longest flight, but Chicago is well worth the journey
In addition to being the USA's third-largest city and an attractive destination in its own right, Chicago also serves as a gateway to the mid-West and a hub for American Airlines, with over 500 daily departures including a high-frequency shuttle service to New York.
"These new services will connect both Australian business travellers and holidaymakers with key centres of commerce, industry and culture in the United States," Joyce says.
As with its Perth-London Boeing 787 flights, Qantas will encourage travellers from other Australian cities to make a domestic hop to Brisbane and then embark on the long trans-Pacific leg.
How will passengers spend those 17 hours above the clouds? Travellers at the pointy end of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner enjoying 42 well-appointed Business Suites – each with direct aisle access – which transform into a fully-flat bed.
Qantas' Boeing 787-9 business class offers plenty of comfort to and from Chicago
AusBT review: Qantas Boeing 787 business class, Melbourne-San Francisco
Further back are 28 premium economy seats arranged 2-3-2 in a cosy four-row cabin – although as Executive Traveller has previously noted, these excellent seats are hampered by a lack of legroom
Qantas Boeing 787-9 premium economy class is a great seat, the legroom not so much...
AusBT review: Qantas Boeing 787 premium economy, Melbourne to Los Angeles
At the tail end are 166 economy seats.
The Brisbane-Chicago flight will launch alongside another new route, between Brisbane and San Francisco, as first fruit of a joint venture between Qantas and American Airlines.
Booking your Chicago trip with Qantas Points
Qantas’ new non-stop flights to Chicago can also be booked using frequent flyer points, and as with any newly-announced route there’s a better chance of snaring that points-based reward seat compared to a long-established route.
Expect to pay 224,000 Qantas Points for a return business class flight between Sydney or Brisbane and Chicago – Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth fall into the next zone of Qantas' rewards table, so you’ll be up for 256,000 Qantas Points.
Flying Qantas’ Boeing 787 premium economy from Sydney or Brisbane to Chicago and back requires 168,000 points (192,000 points from Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth), with economy return at 102,400 points (110,400 points from Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth).
Chicago can also be used as a stop-over in an around the world trip booked using Qantas Points, with flights spread across several other Oneworld airlines including American Airlines, British Airways, Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific.
Read more: Using Qantas Points to plan and book a round-the-world trip
Original story by Chris Chamberlin; updates by David Flynn
A former contributor to Executive Traveller, Chris 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.
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
11 Sep 2015
Total posts 9
BNE-MIA would be AWESOME!!
22 Feb 2019
Total posts 6
There is probably not enough demand from business travellers to justify a direct ULH flight to Miami with it being a predominantly leisure market and hence more price sensitive but according to Great Circle Mapper, the distance might not be a problem being around 240km further then the current Perth to London flight. It would possibly be load restricted coming back to Australia at the Dallas-Sydney flight sometimes is due to headwinds.
BNE-ORD 14,326km
15 Feb 2018
Total posts 2
Yes , but Syd./Rio non stop would be evev better.
25 Oct 2017
Total posts 64
Direct flights to Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago & Dallas from Brisbane would be awesome.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
06 Apr 2012
Total posts 119
Newscorp reporting SanFran as the second destination.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2013
Total posts 387
Could they announce an order for more 787s today as well for further expansion in 2021/22?
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1446
I don’t think they will order more 787s today but rather wait until early next year at mid year results time when the deliveries of the current six are well under way, and see if there is space in their capital expenditure for 2020/21 year for another few. They may think 78-10s into that mix for high capacity Asian routes.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1040
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 371
What does Charleston have to do with not getting 787-10? Shouldn't the plane come out in the same condition, no matter which factory?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
30 Aug 2018
Total posts 12
Charleston is the newer plant with a less experienced (in Aviation) workforce. 787-10s can only be made there as the longer fuselage sections do not fit in the "Dreamlifters"
21 Jan 2018
Total posts 5
Curious to know why they don’t want 787’s from there?
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1040
Multiple quality, manufacturing and safety issues with aircraft coming out of the Charleston 787 line which haven't happened with the Everatt 787 line.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2015
Total posts 5
I hope they make the economy seats more comfortable than the 171/2 hour Perth to London. They definitely need more padding for that length of time. Won’t do again
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Aug 2017
Total posts 118
It’s the same aircraft so it won’t be any different.
05 Dec 2018
Total posts 150
This is great news, I wouldn't mind connecting via Brisbane to Chicago.
American Airlines - AAdvantage
13 Jul 2015
Total posts 266
Would sure beat going through LA - of course, a SYD/MEL direct to Chicago would be even better, but for now - 100% would connect in BNE vs LAX
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Mar 2017
Total posts 16
Seattle would be great.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
17 Jun 2019
Total posts 3
Whatever happened to plans for Perth to Paris, Rome, Berlin. See article, David Flynn 27 April 2017.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2546
See: Qantas hits pause on planned non-stop flights to Paris
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2013
Total posts 387
They’ve got to sort out the Perth landing fee and terminal dispute first. And I believe it’s now Frankfurt not Berlin now.
04 Dec 2013
Total posts 149
It was never going to be Berlin. Berlin can't even get its new terminal open and sustain its own hub carrier, let alone support ULH flights... Aside from a few bearded hipsters working for startups, there is zero business demand.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1040
04 Dec 2013
Total posts 149
Even then - and it's all moot now - why hub through BER (with zero O&D business traffic) when they've got LHR as a European hub and Frankfurt with massive O&D business demand and connections with LH to anywhere you can imagine?
QFF
19 Sep 2013
Total posts 181
Agree. Not unusual to have a small checkin crowd at FRA but full aircraft, with all the Brits coming across from UK.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 462
Perth airport happened.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 374
Any further expansion of the QF network from Australia is a good news story.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 365
I thought QF has already confirmed the second city is SFO? Although it would be nice to be another US city that QF hasn’t covered.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1040
QF hasn't confirmed anything yet. They have heavily suggested ORD with SEA, SFO and DFW as next likely contenders.
QF
04 Apr 2014
Total posts 205
Frankly I’d rather do immigration at LAX than at O’Hare.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1040
How bad is ORD T5 compared to LAX TBIT?
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1040
For the 14 weekly AU-SFO (10 currently) and 14 weekly BNE-US (10 currently) mentioned in the QF press release, they'll need to drop BNE-LAX from 10 to 7, then have 4 to SFO and 3 to ORD.
21 Jan 2018
Total posts 5
Looking forward to the new ORD service and connecting in BNE seems fairly easy.
02 Nov 2017
Total posts 35
Not to mention that I'd much rather take a QF service from my home port to Brisbane than fly to LAX and spend 3 hours on AA to Chicago!
15 Feb 2018
Total posts 2
What about Syd/Bris/Rio or Syd/Bris/Lima ?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Apr 2017
Total posts 130
Can’t see Lima being done, Rio (most likely), Buenos Aires and I think São Paulo were mentioned as candidate cities for Project Sunrise.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
06 Apr 2012
Total posts 119
As a question, would Qantas’s 787 have range to do ORD-SYD nonstop ?
07 Jan 2016
Total posts 37
In short, no. To quote Alan Joyce from another AusBT article, "Brisbane has an advantage: it’s closer to a lot more (US) destinations than Sydney or Melbourne, so that gives us the ability to do things like Dallas, or to do other cities in the States that we can’t do from any other state in Australia”. Presumably Chicago is one of these cities he refers to which is beyond the range of a SYD/MEL flight for the 787-9.
05 May 2016
Total posts 630
After LHR and JFK, ORD would be one of the candidates for the next Project Sunrise route one would think, but that’ll be years away.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Apr 2017
Total posts 130
Sweet.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 481
Great news from my perspective given my work now has me needing to get to the rust belt of North America a few times a year.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
Great news. One internal change in Aus makes the trip to Chicago easy. Looking forward to doing this flight once it comes on line.
30 May 2016
Total posts 4
Just wondering about the schedule, I read that the SF flight will be replacing the 8.50pm QF55 which departs at , and it was mentioned it will be running Monday-Wednesday-Saturday.
QantasFF Platinum
16 Feb 2012
Total posts 153
Hopefully the ORD-BNE flights will arrive BNE early morning (like DFW/LAX back to SYD / MEL etc) So hopefully a quick turn-around and departure from BNE-ORD will be departing late-morning to Midday, to allow for connecting flights from ADL/MEL/SYD etc and arrive into Chicago around midday/early afternoon, to facilitate connections within the Mid-west.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 337
Love Chicago!! One of my favourite cities in the US. Just wonder if they will ever build it up to daily at some point??
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2013
Total posts 387
Indeed they do but they need to order more 787s first
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Aug 2014
Total posts 76
Joyce get your hands on a few A350/1000 (Fantastic birds)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Aug 2016
Total posts 63
I'll pass on BNE/ORD thanks very much. Wouldn't want to be flying there in the US-winter as I'd be on first name terms with the alternate airport staff (presumably MKE, IND, STL or CVG).
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
07 Dec 2015
Total posts 52
Great news and Chicago is a great city, even in deep winter. BNE is also an easy transit point despite the terminal change via SkyTrain or bus.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 791
Very true. Nice to get some exercise and fresh air doing the transfer.
28 Sep 2016
Total posts 4
Is Qantas likely to ever offer a First service from Brisbane to any destination??
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2546
It's been many years since Qantas has offered first class out of Brisbane on its own metal. Only 'Qantas' option for Brisbane first class flyers is to book Qantas codeshare flights in Emirates first class, which are available from Brisbane to Singapore, and from Brisbane to Dubai (and vice versa), as well as onward legs like Dubai-London.
23 Jul 2017
Total posts 93
It's a nightmare enough flying from Brisbane to Los Angeles on a 787. All the way to Chicago? Never. Have any of Qantas's poohbahs even travelled at the back of the plane, e.g. in 53E? Only when they have will they realise what a nightmare it is to go so far without a stop.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2013
Total posts 349
Couldn't agree more. The promise of something "revolutionary" certainly didn't apply to the majority of seats on Qantas' 787's.
09 Aug 2015
Total posts 91
Qantas AU to LAX it's definitely not "a nightmare" in Boeing 787 business class. Maybe you're talking about economy class? And if you say it's a nightmare "to go so far without a stop" then your solution is, what, that Qantas flights to the USA stop over in Hawaii??
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 353
QF have definitely allocated good times for departure on both flights out of Brisbane as these will not put extra pressure on the QF lounges whcih are always very busy in the morning peak.
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
23 May 2013
Total posts 45
I wonder what lounge they'll use... BA is the only oneworld option in T5 however their last flight to LHR leaves an hour earlier than the QF flight is scheduled to leave
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1040
RJ and QR use the AF lounge. The other oneworld members flying from ORD use T3 for departures (T5 for arrivals) and use the AA lounges in T3.
QF
04 Apr 2014
Total posts 205
I was in ORD week before last, the flagship lounge in T3 was empty when we arrived (9:45am) but was overflowing by 11:30am. Maybe all the international departures using the lounge are the reason, either way it was surprising.
01 Feb 2012
Total posts 370
What's the benefit for someone in Sydney? If I'm going to Chicago, it'll be the same number as stops as if I flew via DFW. Other than for people living in Brisbane and Chicago, it doesn't seem to be any more efficient.
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 601
Benefit is you don’t need to do an I get international to domestic transfer in the US which can be risky if you don’t allow enough time and you don’t need to fly domestic on a US airline like American.
09 Aug 2015
Total posts 91
QF
04 Apr 2014
Total posts 205
The reality is that if you’re going to Dallas or Chicago you’ll mostly be connecting to a domestic AA flight. Both are hubs, yes Chicago is a large city but a destination? Not really in my experience. I travel through O’Hare several times a year and have never left the airport.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Dec 2015
Total posts 11
You are missing one of the great US cities - friendly people, great architecture, clean air, wonderful food (especially steak!). Do yourself a favour and stop off for a weekend sometime.
QF
04 Apr 2014
Total posts 205
You are missing or ignoring my point. O’Hare is a transit port. Just look out the window next time you’re there and look at the number of regional flights coming and going. Most travelers go there on the way to somewhere else, just stating facts.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Jan 2017
Total posts 14
By passing LAX sounds terrific!! Down sides - Brisbane, no first lounge and no points upgrades to First!
02 Nov 2017
Total posts 35
That is true. It may be worth mentioning that for Qantas Club members and Gold status holders, the Brisbane international business lounge is a big upgrade, arguably the best intl J lounge in the country.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 353
Agree, the best QF lounge in the country by far. (Obviously the first lounge is a step up again).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Jul 2017
Total posts 27
Has anyone compared the 787 Business Class seats to the First Class seats on 380 and if so how do they compare?
QF
04 Apr 2014
Total posts 205
380 seats are much better. Well, as a bed it’s the killer. Plus room, for larger folks the 787 business seats are a little cramped.
24 Jun 2017
Total posts 5
The return leg departing at 9.50pm....hmmmm...peak hour at ORD
QF
04 Apr 2014
Total posts 205
Agreed, that’s pretty common at O’Hare throughout the day. I’ve been in lines of similar size more than once. Having said that the airlines know this and generally allow for it in scheduling. Plus ATC at O’Hare do a great job of moving traffic. Lots and lots of puddle jumpers amongst those larger aircraft.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1446
Even on a short flight like DFW to MHK they timetable one hour thirty for a one hour flight. Very often it comes in 20 mins early. They will do the same for Chicago.
11 Dec 2016
Total posts 42
These routes are easy money with the small 787. United is killing it with the 787 IAH-Syd. They're easy planes to fill up and flying direct (especially to the US, more so than from) is so much better. And don't forget the Toronto traffic which will take this flight. expect fares here to be quite high with businesses opting for direct every time and tourists left to route through cheaper LAX stopovers. I only wish the airlines would be more aggressive in adding direct routes all around the world...
11 Apr 2018
Total posts 29
Given the alliance with AA is driving this I assume the only way to get to NYC from Brisbane on Qantas Metal will be via LAX? Connections from ORD for example would be with AA?
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 108
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 601
Presumably the with the JSA approved and Qantas starting flights to ORD one would start to see some codeshares on flights like this.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1446
I am sure a whole raft of codeshares ex Chicago will be announced in the next couple of months.
QF
04 Apr 2014
Total posts 205
I’m wondering how long that Qantas flight to JFK will last now. I mean, they fly or will soon fly into three major AA hubs so.... Maybe others who understand the scheduling aspect of this (aircraft idle at LAX for the day etc.) can add to this.
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 108
QF
04 Apr 2014
Total posts 205
Thanks, makes sense.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Oct 2017
Total posts 86
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jul 2016
Total posts 9
Maybe in my working years (8 to go) but in retirement definitely not! Will enjoy the stopovers.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Jul 2016
Total posts 9
How does Perth feel now when this announcement could have been for PER to CDG (Paris) or other European desinations yet they continue to fight with Qantas?
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