Confirmed: American Airlines launches Brisbane-Dallas flights

American Airlines will begin daily flights between Brisbane and Dallas Fort Worth as the Oneworld member and Qantas partner brings new competition to local skies.

What’s promoted as a “seasonal service” for the US winter will take off from DFW on October 27, 2024 and run through to late March 2025 – and it’ll be the longest nonstop flight in the airline’s network by distance and average around 15 hours from gate-to-gate.

It’s fitting, then, that Brisbane will also be among the first destinations to debut American’s all-new Boeing 787-9 Flagship Suites business class.

Each of the 51 Flagship Suites sports a sliding door, additional personal space and storage nooks, plus a bevy of power options including USB-C and wireless charging.

As a halfway point to transforming into a lie-flat bed, American claims its Flagship Suites convert into a relaxed “chaise lounge position” – which to us sounds like marketing-speak for what other airlines and seat-makers invariably refer to as Lazy Z, sun-lounge or deckchair mode.

The Flagship Suites will also be retrofitted to the older Boeing 777-300ER fleet and replace the 777’s first class suites with an enlarged and upgraded business class cabin.

The Boeing 787-9s have also been tipped as carrying 32 new premium economy seats, each with headrest ‘wings’ for privacy, extra storage areas, larger video screens and a swing-down footrest.

The American Airlines flight will depart Dallas Forth Worth at 10:35pm to reach Brisbane at 6:30am two days later; the return leg will be wheels-up from Brisbane at 10am, arriving back at DFW at 8.20am.

However, American Airlines advises that “DFW-BNE roundtrip schedules will operate at different times on Tuesdays and Saturdays (departing DFW) for the full season due to operational requirements. The schedule may also vary from month-to-month (TBD).”

Tickets are expected to go on sale on Monday February 5.

Brisbane has long been on American’s wishlist, and while Dallas Fort Worth isn’t a major drawcard in itself, the airport’s role as American Airlines’ hub provides plenty of onwards flights across the US, especially the east coast – both up to New York and down to the cruise capital of Miami.

As a Qantas partner, expect to see seats available in business class, premium economy and economy using Qantas Points – and, down the track, the ability to use Qantas Points for upgrades on American Airlines.

Ahead of the journey to Dallas Fort Worth, eligible AA passengers will have access to Qantas’ Brisbane International Lounge.

Rival US carrier United Airlines, which is of course a partner with Virgin Australia, has also been making inroads to Queensland with flights to San Francisco, while Qantas maintains flights to Los Angeles.

American Airlines already connects Sydney to Los Angeles, while Qantas offers flights to DFW from both Sydney and Melbourne.

Additional reporting by David Flynn