Sydney: Qantas Adding New US Flights

Here's more information about flights to Sydney that you'll want to have handy when you start planning your trip downunder (because we know you want to go as much as we do!) Last month I mentioned that Qantas, Australia's major international airline, is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year. The long-haul leader is a super strong airline with an excellent repuation, that was named Airline of the Year in 2004 by Air Transport World. Recent announcements prove that the company shows no signs of slowing down. Beginning February 27, 2006, Australia’s far-ranging flag carrier will add a pair of weekly departures from JFK to Sydney. The added departures are scheduled for Mondays and Saturdays and will make a stop in LA. Additionally, beginning March 29, 2006, Qantas will begin offering flights from San Francisco to Australia, including flights to Sydney.

I'll quickly add that I flew roundtrip to Sydney on Qantas when I visited Australia several years ago and had a very pleasant experience with them. It was the Southwest flight from BWI to LAX that was the problem for me. My one word of advice is that if you are flying to Australia from the East Coast, try to stick with one airline the entire way and take a direct flight if at all possible. Switching planes in LAX can be a nightmare. Especially if you're an overpacker like me traveling alone. But once I was aboard Qantas it was smooth sailing, and the Spirit of Australia got me there and back safely.

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