Business & First Class flights to South Pacific
Fourteen to seventeen hours across the Pacific — the flights that make or break the case for business class. Six destinations, priced from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston and New York.
Contract fareFrom
Los Angeles
To
Sydney
Contract fareFrom
Los Angeles
To
Melbourne
Contract fareFrom
Los Angeles
To
Auckland
Contract fareFrom
Los Angeles
To
Brisbane
Contract fareFrom
Los Angeles
To
Fiji
Contract fareFrom
Los Angeles
To
Tahiti
About flying premium to South Pacific
If there was ever a route to fly premium, this is it. Los Angeles to Sydney is 15 hours; to Melbourne, 16; Dallas to Sydney, 17; New York to Auckland, 17½. Almost every flight leaves the US in the evening and arrives two calendar days later in the morning — you cross the date line while you sleep. In a flat bed with a proper duvet you land at 6am ready for the harbor. In economy you land a day behind and stay there for most of the week.
Airlines and cabins. Qantas is the flagship: lie-flat Business Suites on its 787s and A380s, and First Class on the A380 from Los Angeles to Sydney — the only true First cabin regularly flown across the Pacific. Air New Zealand flies Auckland nonstop from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago and New York, with its Business Premier cabin renewed on the 787 fleet. United flies Polaris from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Houston to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland; Delta from Los Angeles to Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland; American from Los Angeles and Dallas to Sydney and Brisbane. Fiji Airways flies Nadi nonstop from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas and Honolulu with lie-flat A350 seats, and Air Tahiti Nui connects Los Angeles and Seattle to Papeete in eight and a half hours. For a very different experience, Emirates and Qatar Airways reach Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland via the Gulf in First or Qsuite — longer, but the cabins are the point.
When to go. Australia's summer, December–February, is the peak for both weather and price; Christmas through late January is the most expensive window of the year. March–May and September–November are the sweet spot — mild, uncrowded, and with the best premium fares. The Great Barrier Reef and the tropical north are best June–October; New Zealand's ski season is June–September; Fiji and Tahiti are driest May–October. Book December travel by August; premium cabins on the Pacific fill earlier than on any other long-haul route.
Gateways. Los Angeles has the most nonstops and the lowest fares, followed by San Francisco. Dallas, Houston and — for Auckland — Chicago and New York have nonstops of 16–17½ hours. From the East Coast, a same-day connection through Los Angeles or San Francisco is normal, and the domestic leg is usually a lie-flat transcontinental seat on the same ticket.
South Pacific flight questions
How much is business class to Australia from the US?
Our negotiated starting fares are about $4,800 round trip to Sydney and Melbourne and $4,700 to Brisbane from Los Angeles for lead-time bookings; Auckland starts near $4,500, Tahiti $4,300 and Fiji $4,200. December–January and Dallas or East Coast departures price higher. Qantas First is quoted on request.
Is there First Class to Australia from the US?
Yes — Qantas First on the A380 from Los Angeles to Sydney. Every other transpacific route, including Qantas' own 787 flights, tops out at business class. Emirates and Qatar Airways offer First and Qsuite via Dubai and Doha on a much longer routing.
How long is the flight to Sydney in business class, and how do I handle it?
Fifteen hours from Los Angeles, seventeen from Dallas. Flights leave in the evening; eat, sleep six to eight hours flat, wake for breakfast and land around 6–8am local time two calendar days after departure. Most clients report less jet lag than on a red-eye to London.
Which airline has the best business class to Australia and New Zealand?
Qantas and Air New Zealand are the specialists, and their crews fly these routes daily. United Polaris and Delta One are strong on the newer aircraft. If the ultra-long nonstop is not appealing, Fiji Airways' Los Angeles–Nadi–Sydney routing breaks the journey with a stop in the islands, and we price it side by side.
Your Route Takes 30 Seconds.
The Fares Take 30 Minutes.
Share your route and get personalized fares within 30 minutes. No upfront payment, no obligation.