American Airlines unveils newest route to Australia, launching in December
American Airlines is planning to fly Down Under with a second route from its West Coast hub this winter.
The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier on Monday announced it will launch nonstop service this December from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Brisbane Airport (BNE) in Australia.
It'll be the carrier's second nonstop link to the Australian city and its third route overall to the continent.
The new service will launch Dec. 5, just as the peak summer travel season in the Southern Hemisphere ramps up.
American's new LA-to-Brisbane announcement came as its Oneworld alliance partner, Australia's Qantas, revealed it would increase its flight offerings between the two countries.
"Together, we offer the most comprehensive service connecting the United States with Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific," Steve Johnson, American's vice chair and chief strategy officer, said in a statement announcing the news.
American's new Australia route
Headlining American and Qantas' announcement about December and January 2025-26 service was the U.S. carrier's new nonstop route to BNE, situated some 575 miles north of Sydney on Australia's east coast.
American will operate its LAX-BNE route three times weekly between early December and the end of January 2026.
Passengers booking American's new Brisbane flights from Southern California will fly aboard one of its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. However, we should point out that these will be from the existing 787-9s in its fleet — not the new "787-9P" aircraft featuring the carrier's brand-new Flagship Suites that debut next month.
Passengers hoping to score one of those suites, with their sliding privacy doors, should instead opt to book a seat on American's BNE route from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), which picks back up for the peak Australia travel season Oct. 26 after that route debuted for the carrier last year.
American's new Australia flight will give the carrier a total of three routes Down Under this coming season: its LAX and DFW service to Brisbane, plus its nonstop LAX service to Sydney Airport (SYD).
Brisbane sees more flights
Brisbane, for its part, continues its growth as a destination for U.S. travelers. Peak-season routes from the U.S. include:
- American, from DFW and LAX
- Qantas, from LAX
- Delta Air Lines, from LAX — which TPG's Clint Henderson recently flew, scoring a Delta One suite on the carrier's Airbus A350-900
- United Airlines, from San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Brisbane hotel review: Perfect for the location: What it's like staying at Hotel X Brisbane Fortitude Valley, Vignette Collection by IHG
Qantas adds A380 to the mix in DFW
As previously mentioned, Qantas is also scaling up its flight offerings between its home country and the U.S.
Between Dec. 3 and the end of January, the Sydney-based carrier will shift to daily flights on its route between DFW and Melbourne Airport (MEL).
It'll increase the number of passengers it can carry on its DFW route to SYD with the help of its Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane.
Qantas currently flies its superjumbo jet from Melbourne and Sydney to LA. Its A380 offers a four-cabin configuration featuring 14 first-class seats, 70 business-class pods, 60 premium economy recliners and 341 economy seats — for an eye-popping capacity of 485 passengers (such is the A380!).
Qantas first-class flight review: The most comfortable way to fly Down Under
How to book American Airlines or Qantas to Australia
Travelers hoping to book seats on American or Qantas can use American Airlines AAdvantage miles or Qantas Frequent Flyer points for award flights on either airline.
Qantas is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Capital One.
You can also find seats on either carrier through partner Oneworld programs, such as Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, British Airways Club and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, among others.
Related reading:
- Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
- American Airlines elite status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- American Airlines basic economy: What you need to know about bags, seats, boarding and more
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees