Traveller reference · QF
Qantas
oneworld · IATA QF · the main carrier on the US to Australia routes
Travelaidnow is an independent travel agency and is not Qantas, nor affiliated with or endorsed by it.
This page is a general reference written by our team. Baggage allowances, fees and policies are set by the airline and change without notice, so confirm anything that affects your trip with Qantas directly before you travel.
Official site: qantas.comQantas operates most of the non-stop flying between the United States and Australia, principally from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas/Fort Worth and New York into Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. These are among the longest routes flown anywhere, and the westbound crossing loses a calendar day at the international date line, which surprises first-time travellers on the route.
Within Australia the airline runs an extensive domestic network, which matters because most itineraries from the US involve a domestic connection after arrival. Whether that connection is on the same ticket makes a substantial difference if the long-haul leg is delayed.
Qantas at a glance
- IATA code
- QF
- ICAO code
- QFA
- Based in
- Australia
- Alliance
- oneworld
- Type
- Full-service
- Frequent flyer
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
Cabins
- Economy
- Premium Economy
- Business
- First (limited)
Main bases
- SYD · Sydney
- MEL
- BNE
- PER
How Qantas baggage works
Allowance follows cabin, fare tier and Qantas Frequent Flyer status. International tickets generally use a piece system with a per-bag weight ceiling.
The domestic network within Australia uses a weight-based allowance, so the system can change between the international and domestic legs of one journey.
Confirm the allowance against your booking on qantas.com, particularly where an international arrival connects to a domestic flight.
Check-in
Online check-in typically opens 24 hours before departure for international flights.
Sydney's international and domestic terminals are separate and require a transfer between them. That transfer is the part of the journey most often underestimated.
Boarding
Boarding is by group according to cabin and status, with oneworld recognition applying.
On the ultra-long-haul services, boarding a full widebody takes time and overhead space fills early.
Before you fly Qantas
Sydney's terminals are not connected airside
International and domestic operate from separate terminals with a transfer between. If you have an onward domestic flight, allow real time, and check whether it is on the same ticket.
You lose a day flying west
Crossing the date line westbound means the arrival date is two calendar days after departure. Booking a hotel for the wrong night is a common and avoidable error.
oneworld status applies
Status with American, British Airways or another oneworld member brings priority and baggage benefits on Qantas.
Planning a trip rather than researching a carrier?
Our route and airport guides cover the journey itself — when demand peaks, which airports work, and how long the connection really takes.
FAQ
Qantas — common questions
General guidance only. Qantas sets these policies and can change them, so confirm anything that affects your trip at qantas.com.
How long is the flight from the US to Australia?
Roughly fourteen to fifteen hours from the US west coast to the Australian east coast, and considerably longer from New York or Dallas. Westbound crossings also cross the international date line, so you arrive two calendar days after you depart even though the flight itself is one long night.
Do I need to change terminals at Sydney?
If you are connecting from an international arrival to a domestic flight, yes. Sydney's international and domestic terminals are separate buildings requiring a transfer between them, which takes real time on top of clearing immigration and customs. Allow generously, and check whether both flights are on one ticket.
What is Qantas' baggage allowance?
International tickets generally use a piece system based on cabin, fare and status, while the Australian domestic network uses a weight-based allowance. That means the rules can change partway through a journey that involves both. Check what applies to each leg of your booking on qantas.com.