Flights to Sydney from the US: Nonstop Routes, Flight Times and When to Go

Quick answer: Sydney (SYD) has nonstop flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Honolulu on Qantas, United, Delta, American and Hawaiian. From Los Angeles the flight takes about 14.5 to 15 hours, from Dallas about 17. US citizens need an approved Australian ETA before flying.

Sydney flights at a glance

Nonstop flights to Sydney from US cities

Schedules are as of recent timetables and change by season; check with the airline. Times are southwest-bound and approximate. Qantas' new Las Vegas flight is scheduled three times a week from 29 December 2026 to 12 March 2027. Qantas also flies from New York JFK by way of Auckland, so that trip is not a nonstop. From the East Coast and the Midwest, most travelers connect once in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas or Houston, or fly to Brisbane or Melbourne instead.

Nonstop flights to Sydney from the US

Los Angeles has the most choice, with Qantas, United and Delta flying nonstop to Sydney and American in some seasons, as of recent schedules. Qantas and United also fly from San Francisco, Qantas flies from Dallas/Fort Worth, and United flies from Houston. From Honolulu, Hawaiian flies nonstop in about 10 hours. Check with the airline for the current timetable.

Qantas is adding a seasonal Las Vegas flight, three times a week from 29 December 2026 to 12 March 2027. Its New York JFK service goes by way of Auckland, so count it as one stop.

From other US cities, connect once in a West Coast or Texas gateway, ideally on one ticket. Qantas and American are oneworld partners, United sells Star Alliance connections, and Delta connects from its US hubs to its Los Angeles flight.

Best time to visit Sydney

Sydney's seasons are the reverse of the US. Spring, from September to November, and autumn, from March to May, are warm and settled, good for the coastal walks and beaches without the peak crowds.

December to February is summer, with hot days, school holidays and the New Year's Eve fireworks on the harbour, the busiest time of year to visit. June to August is winter: mild by US standards, cooler at night and quieter, with whale-watching season along the coast.

Entry rules: the Australian ETA

US citizens need a visa to visit Australia, and for tourism most use the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, subclass 601). Apply in the official Australian ETA app from the Department of Home Affairs before you book a nonrefundable trip; it allows stays of up to three months at a time over a twelve-month period. The app charges a service fee, and look-alike websites charge more.

Australia has strict biosecurity rules. Declare all food, plant material and animal products on arrival, and expect bags to be checked. Fines apply to undeclared items.

Sydney airport and getting into the city

All international flights use Terminal 1. Qantas domestic flights use Terminal 3 and other domestic flights Terminal 2, a few miles away by road, so allow plenty of time if you connect to a domestic flight on the same day.

The Airport Link train runs from the International station under Terminal 1 to Central in about 13 minutes and continues to Town Hall, Wynyard and Circular Quay. An airport station access fee is added to the fare, so for a group a taxi can work out similar. Taxis and ride-hailing take about 20 to 40 minutes to the CBD.

The long flight and the date line

Flights from the US to Sydney are among the longest in the world, and you lose a calendar day crossing the International Date Line. Most flights leave the US in the evening and land in Sydney early in the morning two calendar days later. Flights home leave Sydney in the morning or midday and arrive in the US on the same calendar date, often before they left by the clock.

Picking a seat early, staying hydrated and sleeping on Sydney time help with jet lag.

Time difference

Sydney changes its clocks in the opposite season to the US. From early November to early March Sydney is 16 hours ahead of New York, and from early April to early October 14 hours ahead, with 15 hours in the weeks between. It is 19 hours ahead of Los Angeles in the US winter and 17 in the US summer.

A simple check: Sydney is the next day, a few hours behind US clock time. Noon on Monday in Los Angeles is morning on Tuesday in Sydney.

Frequently asked questions

Travel guide

September to November (spring) and March to May (autumn) are warm and less crowded. December to February is summer and the busiest season, with school holidays and New Year's Eve on the harbour.

Lounge access

• Qantas First Lounge, Terminal 1
• Qantas International Business Lounge, Terminal 1

Airport transfers

The Airport Link train runs from the International station under Terminal 1 to Central in about 13 minutes and on to the city stations; an airport station access fee is added to the fare. Taxis and ride-hailing take about 20 to 40 minutes to the CBD depending on traffic.

Flight route guides to Sydney

Each guide covers the airlines on that route, typical connections, the best months to fly and baggage rules, with live fares fetched when the page loads.

• Boston to Sydney flights
• Detroit to Sydney flights
• Honolulu to Sydney flights
• Houston to Sydney flights
• Las Vegas to Sydney flights
• Los Angeles to Sydney flights
• Miami to Sydney flights
• Salt Lake City to Sydney flights
• St. Louis to Sydney flights

All route guides to Sydney