American Airlines and its OneWorld partner Qantas are increasing capacity between the United States and Australia this winter and beyond.
American and Qantas Expand Winter Schedules
The 2025 winter travel season marks the fourth consecutive year that American and Qantas have expanded their joint venture partnership between the United States and Australia, though this is less of an expansion and more of a swap. After launching service between Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Melbourne Airport (MEL) in 2022, Qantas is increasing the route to daily service. This will run through the end of January 2026.
American is also bringing back its route between DFW and Brisbane, which launched last year. The Fort Worth based carrier will utilize its new, premium-heavy, Boeing 787-9s on the route which is scheduled to launch on October 26, 2025.
Beginning December 5, 2025, American will launch 3x weekly flights between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Brisbane Airport (BNE). Qantas currently operates daily service on the route using Airbus A330-200 aircraft. American will take over three of Qantas’ 7x weekly frequencies in December and January using Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Qantas will also fly Boeing 787-9 aircraft on the route during this time.
Finally, Qantas will return its Airbus A380 superjumbo to daily service on the DFW to Sydney Airport (SYD) route, replacing the Boeing 787-9. Steve Johnson, American’s Vice Chair and Chief Strategy Officer, said this about the new routes:
“American is proud to partner with Qantas to increase travel options for customers to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne this winter. Together, we offer the most comprehensive service connecting the United States with Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. For our customers, this means more ways to plan vacations to visit friends and family or jet off for a new adventure in one of the most picturesque regions of the world.”
Cam Wallace, CEO of Qantas International and Freight, added:
“The strength of our partnership with American Airlines continues to bring great benefit to our customers around the world. We know Australia remains very popular with U.S. travelers, and these changes will provide increased connectivity onto our vast domestic network to some of Australia’s most unique destinations.”
American is Taking Over Flying for Qantas Short Term
While the two airlines are framing this as a massive upgrade in service, in reality the two OneWorld partners are shifting around capacity to allow for growth. American’s flights between Los Angeles and Brisbane is a new route for the airline, though it will only last for a short time.
These changes will allow Qantas the opportunity to utilize the A330s that are currently used on the route to do some additional flying to new destinations. The Boeing 787-9s which are being replaced by the Airbus A380 on the Dallas to Sydney route can also be used to support the LAX to Brisbane route.
While these changes may not represent a much in terms of the route map, they do provide a significant increase in capacity between the United States and Australia during the peak winter travel season.
Summary
American Airlines and Qantas are shifting capacity this winter in order to free up aircraft to support new routes. American is launching a new, temporary, route between Los Angeles and Brisbane while Qantas plans to upgauge aircraft on multiple routes between Australia and the United States.
