American Airlines launches its longest distance flight to Australia

The world’s largest airline is adding an Australian city to its list and it will be the longest non-stop flight in its network.

American Airlines is launching a new route between Texas and Brisbane. Picture: Christian Gilles / NCA NewsWire

The world’s largest airline is launching its longest non-stop flight to Brisbane – averaging about 15 hours.

Travellers will have the option to fly direct between the Queensland capital and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas with American Airlines from October 27.

American Airlines said this would mean one-stop connections to Brisbane from more than 100 destinations across the US that currently require at least two stops.

And of course, Aussies will also be able to use the new route to connect to many other destinations from Dallas-Fort Worth, the airline’s largest hub.

There will be a “seasonal” daily service for the US winter on a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which has 51 of the airline’s new ‘Flagship Suite’ seats with privacy doors, and 32 Premium Economy seats.

Aussies will have access to American Airlines' new Business Class seats, called ‘Flagship Suites’. Picture: American Airlines

Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the announcement meant Brisbane would have four entry points into North America, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver.

“American Airlines will give us a fourth destination, and Dallas Fort Worth has great connectivity not only across North America, but Central and South America too,” he told news.com.au.

He described it as “a coup for Queensland” and said it reflected Brisbane’s allure as a global destination.

“It also reflects the fact that Brisbane Airport is the most connected domestic airport in Australia, so we know many of the passengers arriving on these new flights from Dallas Fort Worth will be jumping onto connecting flights to other parts of Queensland and Australia, and from Brisbane you can get to 52 destinations,” he said.

“We also know Brisbane’s star is rising and we are confident there will be more airline announcements like this in the months to come.”

Tickets for the new route will be available from February 5 through the airline’s app and website.

American Airlines’ senior vice president of network and schedule planning, Brian Znotins, said in a statement: “American is thrilled to grow our international network to give customers more ways to escape the cold next winter.

“Together with Qantas, customers can enjoy more ways to explore new destinations across one of the most comprehensive networks connecting the United States and the South Pacific.”

The airline said its partnership with Qantas meant from next northern American winter, customers will be able to connect to more than 200 destinations across the US, and almost 70 destinations across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific — more than any other partnership.

Daily flights between Brisbane and Dallas-Fort Worth will operate from October 27. Picture: Christian Gilles / NCA NewsWire

The move comes after American Airlines’ rival United Airlines, which is a partner with Virgin Australia, added a bunch of new flights to Australia in a record-breaking expansion this summer.

It nearly tripled the number of passengers year-on-year it could carry between Brisbane and the US, with more San Francisco flights and a new direct route to Los Angeles.

It was revealed this week the price of plane tickets are halved when travellers can choose between three airlines on a route rather than one, according to research from the government’s new Competition Taskforce.

Assistant competition minister Andrew Leigh delivered a speech in Melbourne on Tuesday about Australia’s need for greater competition and “signs the intensity of competition has weakened over recent decades,” including in the aviation industry.

“When one airline services a route, airfares average 39.6 cents per kilometre. With two competing airlines, the average fare drops to 28.2 cents. With three competitors, to 19.2 cents,” Dr Leigh said, according to a copy of the speech seen by news.com.au.

Qantas and American Airlines flight to between the US and Australia.

He further explained: “In other words, the price per kilometre is halved when three competitors fly a route compared with the situation when there is only a single monopoly airline.

“With four or five competitors, the price drops further still. They find these results for all routes and the top 200 routes by passenger traffic.

“Initial results further indicate that the mere threat of competition in the aviation sector has, on average, helped to lower prices.”

American Airlines’ vice president of international operations Jose Freig was not willing to predict any significant falls in airfares now that there would be more competition in Brisbane, The Australian reported.

“I think we’re all offering competitive pricing,” he said.

“It’s hard to tell — fuel prices can go up, come down [but] I think things are stabilising, and we’re seeing more stability.”