Qantas announces nonstop DFW to Melbourne service
Just days after Australia made news by scrapping pre-travel testing rules, we've learned it will soon be even easier to visit one of its most popular cities for tourists … without a layover. Qantas announced this weekend, it will begin nonstop service in December from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Melbourne (MEL).
The Sydney-based carrier and Oneworld Alliance member will operate nonstop flights between DFW and Melbourne.Saturday's announcement means DFW will get a second nonstop flight to Australia – Qantas already has direct service to Sydney – and according to DFW officials, this marks the first direct flight from the U.S. to Melbourne not originating on the west coast.
Details of the service
According to the announcement posted on DFW's website, Qantas will operate its nonstop DFW to Melbourne flights four times each week. The service will be on board a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Related: How the 787 Dreamliner can help you minimize jetlag
The flights, which will rank among the world's longest, are scheduled to begin Dec. 2. This is the third airport in the U.S. that Qantas flies to directly, along with San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX).
After Qantas resumed its service from the U.S. to Australia in February as COVID-19 restrictions loosened, this new service means hundreds more seats each week getting direct access to the capital of Victoria and its unique culture, food and shops.
"Both regions [Dallas/Fort Worth and Melbourne] are experiencing rapid growth and this addition will provide new opportunities for international business ties, tourism and economic development," DFW CEO Sean Donahue said in a statement Saturday.
As of now, Melbourne will be DFW's 71st international destination.
Booking your trip
According to the announcement on Saturday, travelers should be able to start booking nonstop DFW to Melbourne flights on Qantas Airlines right away. I checked the Qantas website on Sunday though, and was not able to find any nonstop options in December 2022 or January 2023 just yet.
To give you a sense of current pricing around the time this service will launch, a round trip from DFW to Melbourne on the Dec. 2 launch date is going for more than $2,400 at the moment. This involves a stop at LAX or Sydney (SYD) depending on which itinerary you prefer.
For travelers looking to use miles to book a trip to Melbourne, Qantas' membership in the Oneworld alliance should provide more options for booking. Namely, American Airlines AAdvantage members with miles can actually book a trip through the American website and end up on Qantas-operated flights.
Related: Best sites for searching Oneworld availability
Depending on how flexible your dates of your travel are, you can get a round trip in economy for as low as 80,000 AAdvantage miles, which TPG's March 2022 points and miles valuations shows is worth about $960 – a significant savings in value compared to the cash rate. If your travel dates are very flexible, the Oneworld Alliance awards chart indicates the best mileage fare you can get for a business/first Class ticket is 80,000 miles each way.
Related: A hop across the Pacific in Qantas 787 Business Class
We'll certainly be watching to see how the presence of nonstop DFW to Melbourne flights impact pricing once they become available.
More opportunities to visit Melbourne
Bottom line, this announcement gives travelers more chances to visit Melbourne. TPG recently visited the city and came away with some great recommendations on what to do and where to stay.
Keep an eye on the Qantas website as these direct service options become available to book, and perhaps you could soon find yourself on one of the world's longest flights!
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.