This was published 7 months ago
American Airlines readies to launch Brisbane’s longest non-stop flight
The world’s largest airline operator, American Airlines, is launching a direct service between Brisbane and Dallas Fort Worth, set to take to the skies in October 2024.
The route is the airline’s second Australian service. It will be the longest non-stop flight in its network – and the longest non-stop flight from Brisbane available on any airline.
American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is the world’s largest carrier.Credit: iStock
American Airlines vice-president of international operations Jose Freig said the airline was excited to strengthen its Asia-Pacific footprint in partnership with Qantas.
“With this new route, our customers in Brisbane will have access to our largest US hub, from where they can connect to explore unexplored and much-loved destinations from around the world, from sunny Miami, to the deep south in Sao Paulo and beyond,” he said.
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff described American Airlines’ entry into the market as a milestone.
He said the daily flights to and from the Texan hub would be serviced by a newly configured ultra-long Dreamliner, the 787-9.
It will be the airport’s 30th direct international connection and Brisbane’s fourth gateway into North America, after Vancouver, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
“It underscores Brisbane’s allure as a global destination, and unlocks fresh tourism and business prospects for Queensland,” de Graaff said.
The deal was secured with money from the state government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, and Treasurer Cameron Dick said it was a massive coup for Queensland.
“This deal takes Queensland deep in the heart of Texas,” he said, noting it would bring benefits for exporters as well as the local tourism industry.
“For every flight that takes happy American tourists back from Queensland to the United States, there’ll be 18 tonnes of cargo space in those planes flying back across the Pacific, so that’s great for our agricultural industries.”
The flight to Dallas Fort Worth will be 13,363 kilometres, which takes about 14 hours flying east, and 16 hours on the way back.
The current longest route from Brisbane is the Qatar Airways flight to Doha, at 12,330 kilometres, while the shortest international route is the 1452 kilometres flight to Noumea.
The inaugural flight is scheduled for October 24, 2024 – before the next busy US winter travel season.
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