Leslie Massey
American Airlines has had an inconsistent history of flying to Australia. The airline first exited Australia in 1975 and has since briefly resumed its Australian flights multiple times, only to exit the market again. The most recent instance of American Airlines pausing flights to Australia was in 2021, when the airline suspended customer and cargo flights between Los Angeles and Sydney due to the ongoing travel restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of suspension | September 1, 2021 |
| Reason for suspension | Ongoing travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic |
| Route suspended | Los Angeles-Sydney |
| Date of resumption | Early 2022 |
| Historical presence in Australia | Yes, with a mixed history of flying into Australia |
| Previous suspension | 1975 following a route swap with Pan Am |
| Previous resumption | Between 1983 and 1984 after a failed Northwest Airlines venture |
| Most recent resumption | 2015 through a joint venture with Qantas |
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What You'll Learn
American Airlines' history of flying to Australia
American Airlines has had a mixed history of flying to Australia. In the early 1970s, American Airlines operated Boeing 707s to Sydney for about five years. However, in 1975, the airline exited Australia due to a route swap with Pan Am.
There were attempts to resume flights to Australia in the following years. Between 1983 and 1984, American Airlines briefly flew to Australia after Northwest Airlines' venture into the southwest Pacific failed. This was short-lived, and the airline exited Australia again until the 1990s. From 1990 to 1992, American Airlines resumed flights to Sydney, this time via HNL using Douglas DC-10 trijets.
In 2015, American Airlines once again resumed flights to Sydney through a joint venture with Qantas, a partnership that continues today. This joint venture proved successful, with high loads and revenues until the travel downturn in 2020. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting travel restrictions, American Airlines was forced to suspend flights to Australia temporarily.
Despite the challenges, American Airlines has shown resilience and a continued interest in serving the Australian market. Through their partnership with Qantas, they offer passengers the opportunity to earn and redeem AAdvantage® Miles on both airlines. While there may be pauses or interruptions due to unforeseen circumstances, American Airlines has consistently worked towards maintaining and expanding its presence in Australia.
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Coronavirus travel restrictions
American Airlines suspended all passenger and cargo services between Los Angeles and Sydney, its only route to Australia, from September 1 to October 28, 2021. The airline cited ongoing travel restrictions surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as the reason for the suspension.
At the time, Australia had slashed the number of passengers allowed to fly in per week from just over 6,000 to around 3,000, the lowest since the pandemic began. This was due to the emergence of the highly infectious Delta variant, which had already devastated Sydney and spread to several other states. Under the rules, everybody must test negative for COVID-19 before boarding a plane and spend 14 days in hotel quarantine at a cost of around $3,000 upon arrival.
The suspension left some 34,000–35,000 Australians stranded overseas, making it even more difficult for them to get home. It also meant that American Airlines passengers travelling to Australia had to make the 12,000km trip from LA to Sydney with at least one stop, as they could no longer take a direct flight.
American Airlines apologised to travellers and said it would contact affected passengers to offer alternative arrangements. The airline hoped to resume operations by the end of October but noted that this deadline could be extended.
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American Airlines' partnership with Qantas
American Airlines does not fly to Australia, but it has a partnership with Qantas, which allows customers to earn and redeem AAdvantage® Miles and Loyalty Points. This partnership also enables customers to enjoy the benefits of AAdvantage® status on both airlines.
As a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, you can earn Qantas Points and Status Credits when flying with American Airlines. The more eligible flights you take, the faster you progress through the membership tiers (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Platinum One), unlocking exclusive benefits at every level. For instance, Silver members earn 25% more points than Bronze members, while Gold members earn 75% more. Platinum and Platinum One members enjoy the highest tier, earning 100% more points than Bronze. These points can be redeemed for Classic Flight Rewards, which include taxes, fees, and carrier charges, on Qantas, Jetstar, and partner airlines. However, seats for these rewards are subject to availability, and some flights may not offer any Classic Flight Rewards.
Additionally, Qantas Frequent Flyers can utilize Points Plus Pay, which allows them to book any available seat by combining points and money. This option provides more flexibility and choice, and members can still earn Qantas Points and Status Credits on these eligible flights. To determine the required number of points and associated costs, individuals can refer to the Qantas website, where quoted amounts are subject to change.
Qantas Platinum and Gold Frequent Flyers traveling with American Airlines can access lounges across the American Airlines network, adhering to the oneworld policy. This access to lounges, in addition to the ability to earn and redeem points, enhances the travel experience for customers of both airlines.
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Passenger demand and revenue
American Airlines has had a mixed history of flying to Australia. In the early 1970s, the airline operated flights to Sydney using Boeing 707s, but it exited the market in 1975 after a route swap with Pan Am. Between 1983 and 1984, American Airlines briefly resumed Australian flights, and again between 1990 and 1992, this time via HNL using Douglas DC-10 trijets.
In 2015, American Airlines once more resumed flights to Sydney through a joint venture with Qantas. These flights were successful, with high passenger loads and good revenues. The joint venture was renewed in late 2019, with the airline even planning year-round flights to Auckland and seasonal services to Christchurch.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the aviation industry. In March 2020, long-haul passenger demand plummeted, leading Australia to close its borders. American Airlines was forced to suspend its flights to Australia between September and October 2021 due to ongoing travel restrictions. The airline faced further challenges with the tight controls Australia imposed on inbound travellers, resulting in light passenger loads. The reduction in the number of allowed passengers made it difficult to generate sufficient revenue to cover the high operating costs of the long-haul flights to Sydney.
American Airlines' focus on revenue per seat, rather than solely on filling seats, may have influenced its decision-making. The airline's suspension of flights to Australia was likely driven by the combination of low passenger demand, restricted flight operations, and the high costs of operating long-haul services.
Despite the challenges, American Airlines has shown resilience and a commitment to the Australian market. The partnership with Qantas, which allows for the mutual earning and redemption of miles, provides opportunities for expansion and improved revenue generation. As the industry recovers from the pandemic, American Airlines may re-evaluate its position and resume flights to Australia when conditions become more favourable.
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Australian border controls
Australia has strict biosecurity and border controls to protect its environment, economy, health and wellbeing, and security. The Australian Border Force is responsible for regulating the movement of people and goods across the country's borders, facilitating legitimate trade and travel while ensuring the safety and security of the nation.
Upon arrival in Australia, travellers must declare certain items, including wildlife products and currency exceeding AUD10,000. Wildlife products include any whole, part, or derivative of a plant or animal, such as protected wildlife, plants, and animal products. These declarations help prevent the introduction of pests and diseases and ensure compliance with import regulations.
The Australian Border Force provides guidance on returning to Australia through quarantine and import conditions. Travellers can refer to the Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON) website to check detailed import conditions before their travel. This proactive approach helps travellers understand the restrictions and requirements, reducing potential delays or issues upon arrival.
In partnership with Qantas, American Airlines offers travel between the United States and Australia. Through this collaboration, passengers can earn and redeem AAdvantage® Miles and enjoy the benefits of AAdvantage® status on both airlines. However, it is unclear whether American Airlines operates direct flights to Australia or if connections are involved.
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Frequently asked questions
American Airlines has a mixed history of flying to Australia. In 2021, the airline paused its flights to Australia due to the ongoing travel restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
Yes, American Airlines first flew to Sydney, Australia, in the early 1970s for five years. They exited Australia in 1975 but briefly resumed flights to Australia between 1983 and 1984, and again between 1990 and 1992.
Yes, American Airlines resumed flights to Sydney in 2015 through a joint venture with Qantas. These flights were successful until the 2020 travel downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is unclear if or when American Airlines will resume flights to Australia. In 2021, the airline suspended flights between Los Angeles and Sydney between September and October, citing coronavirus-related travel restrictions.
Yes, through American Airlines' partnership with Qantas, you can earn and redeem AAdvantage® Miles on flights to Australia and enjoy the benefits of AAdvantage® status on both airlines.
