United States Joins Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom and More as Qantas Revolutionizes Long-Haul Travel by Introducing Historic Nonstop Sydney to Las Vegas Flight Starting December 2026

Qantas is set to revolutionize long-haul travel by launching the first-ever nonstop Sydney to Las Vegas flight in December 2026, offering Australians a quicker and more convenient way to reach the iconic entertainment hub. This game-changing route eliminates the need for layovers in other U.S. cities, streamlining travel. With this move, the United States joins Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and other countries in providing direct flights to Las Vegas, enhancing global connectivity and providing new opportunities for both leisure and business travelers.

Each year, over 250,000 Australians make the journey to Las Vegas, but they have always faced a lengthy trip with a layover at a major U.S. airport such as Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO). These stopovers often added several hours to their travel time, making an already long flight even more time-consuming. However, starting December 29, 2026, that will all change. Qantas Airways will introduce the first-ever nonstop flight between Australia and Las Vegas, providing a direct, hassle-free route from Sydney to Sin City. This flight, which will be seasonal, will run through mid-March 2027, with departures scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The flight duration is expected to be around 14 hours from Sydney to Las Vegas, cutting roughly five hours off the total travel time compared to connecting flights through other U.S. cities.

This new service promises to be a game-changer for Australian travelers heading to Las Vegas. Previously, travelers had to navigate busy airports like LAX or SFO, often enduring long customs and immigration lines, slower baggage claim processes, and delays due to the complex logistics of changing terminals. Now, by flying directly into Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, passengers can enjoy a much smoother arrival experience. The airport, much smaller than LAX or SFO, will offer quicker immigration procedures, faster luggage retrieval, and a more streamlined terminal experience, ensuring that travelers spend less time navigating the airport and more time enjoying their destination.

Las Vegas has long been a popular destination for Australians, with more than 250,000 visitors from Australia each year. This makes Australia one of the top international markets for the city, even though there has been no direct flight connecting the two destinations until now. Since 2010, Australia has consistently ranked as the fourth-largest source of international visitors to Las Vegas, following only Canada, Mexico, and the UK. This high demand from Australian travelers, combined with the growth in tourism to the city, made a direct flight from Sydney a natural next step for Qantas.

The decision to launch the nonstop Sydney to Las Vegas service comes at a time when Las Vegas is working to recover from a decline in tourism. In 2025, the city saw a drop in the number of visitors, with 38.5 million tourists, a 7.5 percent decrease from 41.7 million in 2024. This decrease was largely attributed to the loss of Canadian visitors, who canceled their trips due to political tensions between the United States and Canada. Additionally, there was a decline in domestic leisure travel as price sensitivity increased among U.S. tourists. However, with 2026 on the horizon, Las Vegas is optimistic about a recovery in tourism numbers, and the introduction of a direct flight from Sydney is expected to play a key role in this revival.

The flight will be timed around major events that draw large numbers of visitors to Las Vegas, including the renowned Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held each January, and the National Rugby League’s (NRL) Las Vegas Festival. The NRL Festival, which attracted over 25,000 Australians in 2025, is one of the key events that prompted Qantas to start running charter flights to Las Vegas. These charter flights have been a huge success, with every seat selling out each year. By offering a year-round nonstop service, Qantas aims to provide even more Australians with easy access to these events and many others, cementing Las Vegas as a must-visit destination for Australians.

For Qantas, this nonstop service will not only cater to Australians attending major events, but it will also open up a broader range of opportunities for leisure and business travelers. The demand for direct access to Las Vegas is already clear, and the airline is confident that this new route will provide the convenience and comfort that travelers expect. The introduction of the nonstop service will likely stimulate additional tourism to Las Vegas, boosting the local economy, and providing travelers with more time to experience everything the city has to offer.

In addition to Qantas’ new route, Las Vegas is poised for further growth in its international connectivity. Air France is also set to launch a new flight from Paris to Las Vegas, starting on April 15, 2026, offering three weekly departures. This will give European travelers another convenient option to reach the city, further strengthening Las Vegas’ position as a global travel hub. With increased competition from international airlines and the growing popularity of Las Vegas as a destination, the city is expected to see a significant increase in international visitors in the coming years.

Despite the challenges faced by Las Vegas’ tourism sector in recent years, the city remains a popular destination for travelers worldwide. Major events, such as the FIFA World Cup and the U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations, are expected to bring even more international visitors to the city in 2026. Qantas’ new nonstop flight from Sydney to Las Vegas will help ensure that Australians can easily access the city and contribute to the tourism resurgence that is anticipated for next year.

Qantas is set to revolutionize long-haul travel by launching the first-ever nonstop flight from Sydney to Las Vegas in December 2026, eliminating layovers and offering faster, seamless travel for Australians heading to one of the world’s top entertainment hubs. This move positions the U.S. alongside Canada, Mexico, and the UK in offering direct flights to Las Vegas.

This new nonstop service marks a significant step forward in the evolution of travel between Australia and the U.S. For Australian travelers, it eliminates the stress and time commitment associated with connecting flights, allowing them to spend more time in Las Vegas and less time in airports. It also provides a unique opportunity for Las Vegas to recover from its recent visitor decline, offering a fresh and efficient way for tourists to experience the city. With more events, improved connectivity, and the introduction of the nonstop flight, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Las Vegas, and for travelers heading to one of the most iconic destinations in the world.

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