Qantas restarted flights from Sydney to New York JFK via Auckland on its Dreamliner 787 in June 2023, and I was lucky enough to snag a Business Class Classic Award for the second scheduled flight for a Points Brotherhood review.
It’s an exciting prelude to non-stop flights from Sydney to New York (and London) under Project Sunrise toward the end of 2025, with the New York to Auckland flight already one of the top 5 longest flights today.
Given previous reviews of the Qantas Business Suite on the 787 my focus will be on the new parts of the experience on QF3/4, the new American flagship route for Qantas.
In this post:
Qantas Sydney to New York Business Class Check In & Lounge
With a 9:35 AM departure, QF3 fits into the morning peak at Sydney Airport, and the lines for the Business Class check in desks were long. It took about 15 minutes to get to the front of the queue, with no option for digital boarding passes due to the destination being the US.
Once at the desk, the formalities were seamless and I was on my way in under five minutes.
Similarly the Qantas International Business Lounge in Sydney was running full, so the overflow section under the Qantas First Class Lounge oval was thankfully open. Quality barista-made coffee was appreciated and all that was needed on this beautiful day for flying.
Qantas Sydney to Auckland Business Class Review
Qantas 3
Sydney (SYD) – Auckland (AKL)
Friday, June 16
Depart: 09:30AM
Arrive: 02:40PM
Duration: 3hr05min
Aircraft: Boeing 787-900 (789)
Seat: 7K (Business Class)
The first leg of QF3 to New York is essentially a standard trans-Tasman hop but on the Dreamliner. Boarding was completed efficiently and there was a sense of excitement in the air given this was a Points Plane (where every seat in every cabin was available as a Classic Award) and many people were heading off on holiday.
As a result, Champagne was a popular choice even this early in the morning though I was happy with sparkling water. The new New York route is a big deal for Qantas and it’s focus on dominating the ultra-long haul market so naturally the inflight magazine featured the Big Apple.
The menu was a simple main with side salad and ice cream for dessert. I went with the Thai beef noodle salad and found it to be excellent with the right amount of heat and citrus.
With a full Business cabin, we were close to the top of descent by the time the meal service wrapped up and landed in rainy Auckland right on schedule.
Auckland Transit Experience
Disembarking from Door L2 at the rear of the Business Class cabin meant I was one of the first off the plane and to transit security. There is no ‘Fast Track’ lane so it is very much a case of first come, first served.
There isn’t a great deal to be said about the Qantas Business Lounge in Auckland at present, aside from it being woefully inadequate. Designed for trans-Tasman traffic on 737’s, there was insufficient seating with different groups sharing the four seater clusters and a limited food offering.
With the lounge beyond capacity (thus no photos), I took the opportunity to use the shower facilities and spent the rest of the transit out in the quieter public areas.
Fortunately this weak point will be addressed in late-2024 with the upgraded Auckland Lounge.
Qantas Auckland to New York JFK Business Class Review
Qantas 3
Sydney (SYD) – Auckland (AKL)
Friday, July 16
Depart: 04:35PM
Arrive: 04:50PM
Duration: 16hr15min
Aircraft: Boeing 787-900 (789)
Seat: 7K (Business Class)
Boarding was again efficient and we were welcomed aboard by a new New Zealand crew with Champagne. Now the magic of premium long haul travel begins!
Qantas Business Class Pyjamas & Amenity Kit
Celebrating the launch of the new route, Qantas partnered with Rebecca Vallance for limited edition amenity kits and pyjamas which sport a distinctive print inspired by the Art Deco design of the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York.
While the amenity kit is pretty much the standard Qantas Business Class design and contents with a new print, the pyjamas are noticeably higher quality in a thicker 100% cotton fabric in French navy (rather than the standard grey marle). Bonus points for metal aglets on the end of the drawstring waist!
Qantas Business Class Menu & Food
Food on this New York flight was excellent and plentiful with dinner served on departure from Auckland and breakfast just before landing in New York. A comprehensive mid-flight menu was just right to fill in the gap.
Dinner started with a mushroom vol au vent, a perfect mouthful and went beautifully with the Duval Leroy Champagne.
The prawn salad entree was light, fresh and flavoursome with the chilli oil having just the right amount of kick.
And the main course of seared snapper was perfectly cooked and accompanied by sweet potato and spiced onions. Despite the tiny plate (part of the weight reduction program in 2017 with the new David Caon designed flatware being 11% lighter), the portion of fish was substantial and satisfying.
Dessert was, appropriately, a New York style cheesecake with blueberry compote. Lovely crumbly biscuit base and just the right amount of cream and flavour from the filling.
A few hours before breakfast, I was feeling peckish and went with the Rueben sandwich. Served hot and with pickles to cut through the grease, the sandwich and strong coffee really hit the spot.
Breakfast was served a few hours out of New York, though we’d be arriving in the late afternoon/early evening. The hot breakfast was comforting although unexceptional, and I was still quite full from the mid-flight snack.
Qantas Business Class Bed
Once the dinner service was completed, cabin lights and electronic window shades were dimmed with most of the cabin turning in for the night.
The Qantas Business Suite is a winner in terms of seat comfort overall and especially for sleep. With the mattress pad, duvet and no need to sleep on an angle its one of the best business class beds in the sky.
Qantas Sydney to New York Review | Pros
There are three main pros to the new QF3 direct service from Sydney to New York JFK:
- Avoid LAX and the unpredictability of clearing US immigration at America’s main West Coast gateway. With Australian passport holders unable to access programs like Global Entry for expedited entry, there are more than a few stories of missed connections and long waits for the next available flight to the final destination
- Direct Flight means the shortest journey time and that you are extremely unlikely to misconnect. You’re on QF3 all the way and the flight is unlikely to leave without you even if there is a delay at transit security in Auckland
- Dreamliner All The Way means you’ll enjoy a true premium long haul experience with flat bed for the entire journey, compared to connecting at LAX onto an unpredictable range of aircraft including regional jets
Qantas Sydney to New York Review | Cons
That said, there are still a few trade offs to be made when flying on QF3:
- Auckland Lounge is woefully inadequate at present, a situation that won’t be fully rectified for another year. Less of an issue outbound on QF3, but certainly not ideal after a 16+ hour flight from New York.
- Uneven Sectors of 3 hours and then 16 hours compared to 13 hours plus 6 hours for QF11 to LAX + AA flight to New York. I was surprised how much you really feel the last 3 hours on QF3!
- No Wifi on the Qantas 787 for the next few years is behind the market on trans-Pacific routes. Not a big deal for leisure travel but can be a factor when travelling for work.
Qantas Sydney To New York Review Summary
The new Qantas flight from Sydney to New York via Auckland is the most seamless and comfortable way to travel between these two cities. Passengers have one of the best long haul Business Class seats on the Dreamliner combined with excellent catering for an enjoyable experience.
