Qantas has today launched the world's longest A380 route, with a 8,755-mile journey between Sydney and Dallas/Fort Worth that lasts 15 hours and 30 minutes.
The Australian airline will operate the new route six-times weekly, on every day apart from Tuesdays.
It is the longest A380 service when measured by distance, but Emirates' superjumbo route from Dubai to Los Angeles takes longer to complete, lasting 16 hours and 20 minutes.
To celebrate the launch, Qantas painted the A380 aircraft operating the route with a special livery — the kangaroo on the tail features a Stetson hat with a neckerchief in the American-stars print, with a "G'Day Texas" emblem next to the forward doors.
The airline will also offer passengers on the route a Texas-inspired onboard menu until 5 October.
Outbound service QF7 takes 14 hours and 50 minutes and departs Sydney at 1310, arriving at Dallas/Fort Worth at 1345 local time the same day.
Return service QF8 last for 15 hours and 30 minutes and takes-off from Dallas/Fort Worth at 2215 and lands in Sydney two days later at 0605 local time.
Through its codeshare partnership with American Airlines, Qantas offers onward connections to more than 100 destinations across the US, with more than 50 of those from Dallas/Fort Worth.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said: "Today, Qantas is leading the way again with the introduction of the world's largest passenger aircraft on the world's longest route, Sydney to Dallas/Fort Worth, with a flying time of almost 16 hours."
To read our guide to Qantas' A380 superjumbo fleet, click here.
Graham Smith
