International Routes from Australia to the US: Best Airlines to Fly
International Routes from Australia to the US: Best Airlines to Fly. The international routes from Australia–US route has gone from a handful of long, expensive options to one of the most competitive long-haul markets Australians can fly. Multiple major carriers now compete directly on key routes, and 2025–26 has brought a wave of new nonstop connections that widen the options further. Here’s a breakdown of the airlines flying between Australia and the US, which routes they cover, and which carrier makes sense depending on what you’re after.
The Main Airlines Flying Australia to the US
Six main carriers currently operate nonstop between the two countries: Qantas, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Jetstar, and Hawaiian Airlines. Between them, they connect Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide to US gateways including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Honolulu.
Qantas holds the largest share of routes, flights, and seats on this corridor, with United close behind as the leading US-based operator. Delta and American round out the major legacy carriers, while Jetstar and Hawaiian serve more budget-focused and Hawaii-stopover travellers respectively.
Qantas: The Broadest Network
As Australia’s flag carrier, Qantas flies direct to Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Francisco, and Honolulu from its Sydney hub, with additional routes from Melbourne and Brisbane. From January 2026, Qantas is upgrading its Dallas-Fort Worth to Sydney service to the Airbus A380, adding significantly more capacity on that route.
Qantas is the natural pick if you’re a Qantas Frequent Flyer member, want the widest range of Australian departure cities, or plan to connect onward through its Oneworld alliance, which includes American Airlines codeshare access and connections to LATAM for South American itineraries.
United Airlines: Best for the West Coast and Tech Hubs
United operates six international routes from Australia to US, making it the leading American carrier on this corridor. Its largest operation is the San Francisco to Sydney route, one of only two international routes from Australia–US flown twice daily (the other being Delta’s Los Angeles–Sydney service). United also connects Melbourne and Brisbane to San Francisco and Sydney and Melbourne to Los Angeles and Houston.
In a major expansion, United launched the first-ever direct US service from San Francisco to Adelaide in December 2025 a notable addition for South Australian travellers who previously had to connect through Sydney or Melbourne. United is a strong choice for Star Alliance members and anyone heading toward Silicon Valley or the broader Bay Area.
Delta Air Lines: Comfort-Focused and Expanding
Delta operates its international routes from Australia using the Airbus A350-900, one of the newer widebody aircraft on this corridor, flying from Los Angeles to both Sydney and Brisbane. From December 2025, Delta added a new nonstop Los Angeles to Melbourne route, giving Victorian travellers a direct Delta option for the first time. Delta’s SkyMiles program and Virgin Australia partnership make it a solid option for those wanting more comfort-focused long-haul cabins.
American Airlines: Best for Oneworld Loyalty
American Airlines offers direct flights between Sydney and Los Angeles on a weekly basis, making it a smaller player on this route by frequency but a useful option for Qantas Frequent Flyer members thanks to the Oneworld alliance codeshare arrangement. It’s generally the better choice if you’re already earning or redeeming points within that alliance and want fare bundling with your onward US domestic connections.
Jetstar and Hawaiian: The Budget and Stopover Options
Jetstar offers a lower-cost, no-frills option on select international routes from Australia–US routes, appealing to travellers prioritising fare over frills, though, as with most budget carriers, it’s worth checking exactly what’s included before comparing the headline fare. Hawaiian Airlines serves the Honolulu route, making it the natural pick if a Hawaii stopover is part of your plan rather than a straight-through US mainland trip.
Which Airline Should You Choose?
- Widest network and frequent flyer flexibility: Qantas
- Best frequency to San Francisco and the Bay Area: United
- Newer aircraft and a fresh Melbourne option: Delta
- Oneworld loyalty and codeshare connections: American Airlines
- Lowest fares, fewer frills: Jetstar
- Hawaii stopover built into the trip: Hawaiian Airlines
Using Points for Australia–US Flights
Frequent flyer points can go a long way on this route, particularly in premium cabins, where redemptions often deliver far better value than economy awards. Qantas Frequent Flyer (with its Oneworld and American Airlines ties) and Velocity Frequent Flyer (partnered with United, Delta, and others) are the two main programs worth building toward if you fly this route regularly. Award availability is limited, though, so it pays to search and book well ahead if you’re planning to redeem points rather than pay cash.
Comparing Your Options
With six airlines now competing across this corridor and new international routes from Australia launching regularly, comparing fares, routes, and stopover options side by side is the easiest way to find the best deal for your trip. Search and compare flights to the US on airdealio.com, and check out our Travel Essentials range before you go.
