QANTAS: Increasing number of seats flying to the USA

We live in interesting times. While travel agencies are reporting weaker demand for outbound travel to the USA Qantas is expanding its trans-Pacific capacity. Qantas is restoring daily flights on some USA routes and deploying larger aircraft as it predicts more inbound demand, including for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Trump’s immigration policies are promoting some nervousness in the Australian outbound market, while, Australia is looming as a more desirable destination for the American market. Hence the increase in seats available on Qantas and the frequency of flights.

Summary of Qantas US Route & Aircraft Changes

Route	Change	Aircraft & Seat Counts	Start Date
Sydney–Dallas/Fort Worth	787 → A380	14 First / 70 Business / 60 Prem. Econ / 341 Econ	27 Oct 2025
Brisbane–Los Angeles	A330 → 787	42 Business / 28 Prem. Econ / 166 Econ	28 Oct 2025
Sydney–Auckland–New York (via AKL)	5× weekly → Daily	Full QF international configuration	2 Jun 2026

A380 Returns to Dallas–Fort Worth

Qantas is moving to a full daily Airbus A380 schedule on the Sydney–Dallas/Fort Worth route from 27 October. This will increase the number of premium seats on the route, and provide consistency across classes and cabins across the week.

This shift alone raises weekly capacity to around 3,395 seats each way. This popular passenger aircraft offers superior comfort in all cabins and is the only aircraft in the Qantas fleet that currently features a first-class cabin.

Brisbane–Los Angeles Upgrade

Starting on 28 October 2025, Qantas returns to daily service between Brisbane and Los Angeles using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner instead of an A330. The Dreamliner brings more than double the premium seat capacity and includes a Premium Economy cabin.

Sydney–Auckland–New York daily service

Qantas will transition from flights on 5 days per week to daily flights on the Sydney–Auckland–New York route.

Strong Outlook for Full-Year Results

Both Qantas (28/8) and Virgin Australia (29/8) are due to report their yearly results in August. They are both predicted to report good results. Restrictions due to the current duopoly in the domestic market are expected to provide larger profits.

2PAXfly Takeout

With a booming domestic market capacity restricted and excellent international travel demand, it could be a bumper year for Australian airline profits.

The increased capacity is also to be welcomed, despite the demand concerns for outbound Australian travellers to the USA.

I would hope that this increased capacity would also see more Classic Reward seats becoming available. That will really satisfy the frequent flyer markets, especially when points have been devalued recently. As of August, all redemption fares have become more expensive – if you can find redemption seats in anything but economy.