Qantas is to operate a new direct summer service between Sydney and Las Vegas in a move it says will cut five hours from the current travel time.
The new seasonal service will start in December and run to March 2027, becoming the fifth city on its US network, joining Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, Dallas and New York.
Qantas will use a Boeing 787 Dreamliner and total flight time is expected to take just under 14 hours; the service will operate three times a week to Harry Reid International Airport.
The airline says the service is timed to operate during some of the US city’s biggest global events like the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the National Rugby League’s season-opening first round.
For two years, the airline operated charter flights with the NRL for Aussie fans to attend games in the desert city; flights have taken off again for this weekend’s games at Allegiant Staium.
Las Vegas also acts as a gateway to attractions like the Grand Canyon and the American southwest.
QANTAS RESPONDING TO DEMAND
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said strong demand for international travel is driving the airline’s expansion of seasonal services to destinations like Las Vegas.
“Australians appetite for international travel continues to be incredibly strong,” he says.
“Rome and Sapporo have shown us there’s real demand for seasonal services to destinations people want to visit at certain times of year.”
Wallace says their fleet upgrade program is giving the airline the flexibility to deploy aircraft where we see demand, opening up new routes.
President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Steve Hill says he welcomes the decision.
“Australia has consistently ranked as our second-largest overseas market and our top international market without a non-stop flight (with) more than 250,000 Australians visiting each year …,” he says.
Tourism Minister Senator Don Farrell said that new service will make it easier for US residents to visit Australia.
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