We want to provide flight options and tips for USA travelers thinking about visiting Australia. Most Americans tell me they have Australia on their bucket list. Some say they want to visit but it is too far to travel.
Let’s break down that myth by looking at just how far it is to travel from the USA to Australia and the options available including stop over flights to Australia.
I’m here to tell you that Australia isn’t as far as you think.
Flight Distance from USA to Australia
It is 9,429 miles as a plane flies from the USA’s west coast to Australia’s east coast.
In comparison it is:
10,173 miles from Los Angeles to South Africa where you want to go on safari, and 8,985 miles from Los Angeles to Jakarta, Indonesia, taking direct flights.
In comparison the distance between Boston and Osaka, Japan is approximately 6,871 miles and takes 14 hours and 15 minutes in flight time.
How long is the flight from the USA to Australia?
The actual flight time from the USA to Australia varies depending on the specific departure and arrival cities, but generally ranges from 15 to 19 hours:
From Los Angeles to Sydney: Approximately 15 hours and 25 minutes for a nonstop flight
From the United States to Sydney, Australia specifically: 17 hours, 53 minutes.
Whilst I understand that for some people, if they are going to spend 15 hours in a plane, they would prefer to take one direct flight and get it over and done with, there are ways to break your flight so you get time to stretch your legs, and not have to spend such a long time in an airplane.
Stopover Flights To Australia
Here are some of those stop over flights, including my own experiences of travelling them.
1. Travel to Australia via Fiji
Fiji Airways has major gateways in the USA flying direct to Fiji and then onwards to Australia.
Fiji Airways currently departs from four major US cities:
- Los Angeles (LAX): The airline’s most significant transpacific route, with daily flights and 31 weekly services. This route offers 57 million available seat miles and uses an Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
- San Francisco (SFO): A direct route from Nadi International Airport.
- Honolulu (HNL): Another direct route connecting Hawaii with Fiji.
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW): A newer route that operates three times per week, with 10 flights and 3,340 seats in December 202. The inaugural flight departed on December 10, 2024.
These routes are part of Fiji Airways’ strategy to enhance connectivity between the South Pacific and North America, offering passengers multiple gateway options for travel between the United States and Fiji.
Example flight from LAX to Australia
| From | To | Distance (Flying) | Travel time |
| Los Angeles | Nadi, Fiji | 5,536 miles | 10 hrs 50 min’s overnight |
| Nadi, Fiji | Brisbane, Australia | 1,690 miles | 3 hrs 30 min’s |
| Nadi, Fiji | Melbourne, Australia | 2,416 miles | 5 hrs 50 min’s |
When you arrive into Nadi, Fiji it is around 5 am in the morning (Fiji time). You have flown overnight, as flights leave Los Angeles from around 10pm to close to midnight.
Whilst you are in the air you cross the international date line, which means you lose 2 days. You leave the USA on Saturday, fly 11 hours and when you arrive in Nadi, it is early Monday morning. Don’t worry you make up that lost day on your trip back to the USA.
Fiji offers you up to 48 hours of stop over in Fiji, without having to pay additional taxes.
🛂Travel Note: You do not need any visa’s to transit through Fiji on route to Australia if your transit is short. Check the Fiji Immigration website for full details.
Here is further information on flying out of LAX on Fiji Airways based on my own travel experience.
2. Travel to Australia via New Zealand
Air New Zealand departs from several major cities in the United States, including:
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- New York (JFK)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Houston (IAH)
- Chicago (ORD)
- Honolulu (HNL)
These routes are primarily long-haul flights connecting to Auckland, New Zealand. The airline offers flights from these cities with various service frequencies, ranging from 3 times weekly to daily flights. Air New Zealand operates these routes using Boeing 787-9 aircraft, offering Business, Premium Economy, and Economy class options.
Additional Flight Details
The airline has an extensive network, offering online bookings from 48 USA cities and serving more than 80 destinations across multiple regions3. If a traveler’s closest city is not directly listed, they can contact Air New Zealand Reservations & Support at 1-800-262-1234 for assistance.
Example flight from LAX to Australia
| From | To | Distance (flying) | Travel Time |
| Los Angeles | Auckland, New Zealand | 6,510 miles | 11 hrs 50 min’s |
| Auckland, NZ | Sydney, Australia | 1,343 miles | 3 hrs 45 min’s |
| Auckland, NZ | Melbourne, Australia | 1,643 miles | 4 hrs 10 min’s |
🛂Travel Note: For your travel to New Zealand you must have a NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority). This is required whether you are simply transiting through New Zealand, or staying there.
You must purchase your NZeTA prior to arriving in New Zealand using the approved App. The link for the App can be found on the Immigration authority page, linked above.
Transiting through Auckland International Airport is similar to Fiji. You do need to be aware that if you bought any duty free items, such as liquids, they will be checked and if you are above the allowable limits in New Zealand, they may be confiscated prior to you boarding your flight to Australia.
As a transiting passenger, you are not allowed to leave the Auckland International Airport.
3. Travel to Australia via Hawaii
As a US citizen you don’t need your passport to travel to Hawaii, with many of the airline carriers flying there. But, to travel on to Australia, you do need your passport, so make sure to pack it.
| From | To | Distance (flying) | Travel Time |
| Los Angeles | Honolulu, HI | 2,470 miles | 5 hrs 56 mins |
| Honolulu, HI | Sydney, Australia | 5066 miles | 10 hrs 5 mins |
| Honolulu, HI | Melbourne, Australia | 5,504 miles | 10 hrs 25 mins |
Travelling to Australia via Hawaii is a little different as you are traveling to a U.S. state first. This means you don’t need to worry about a visit here BUT you do need one to enter Australia.
There are often good flight deals to travel from mainland USA to Hawaii, meaning you might travel on one airline to get to Hawaii, and another completely different airline for to travel from Honolulu to Australia.
Depending on how you book your flights, you may have additional time in Honolulu.
My Experience
I flew from Sydney to Honolulu via Jetstar on a return flight to the USA. The Jetstar crew were friendly, the aircraft clean and amenities good. I did pay extra for a number of the services that come included with other airlines, such as Fiji Airways. The overall experience was good and I would do it again if I wanted to fly budget.
Examples of the extra charges are:
Baggage Fees
Checked baggage: $39 USD for a 20kg bag when pre-purchased Airport prices are higher.
Extra carry-on: $43 USD for +7kg (up to 14kg total)
Excess baggage: $25 USD per kg over your allowance for international flights
Oversized items: $25 USD per item (for items with one side longer than 1m)
Seat Selection
Standard seat: $7 USD
Upfront seat: $25 USD
Extra legroom seat: $45 USD1
In-flight Services
Meals and snacks (prices vary)
In-flight entertainment (if available)
Other Fees
Booking changes: Fees apply (amount not specified in search results)
Call center bookings: Additional charge applies (amount not specified)
Remember that pre-purchasing extras online is typically cheaper than adding them at the airport or during the flight. Also, fees may change over time, so it’s best to check the Jetstar website for the most current pricing when booking your flight. e.g. a meal is extra, entertainment is extra,
There are several flight options from Honolulu to Australia:
Direct Flights
- Honolulu (HNL) to Sydney (SYD): 10h 20m flight time, operated by Hawaiian Airlines, Jetstar, and Qantas
- Honolulu (HNL) to Melbourne (MEL): Direct flights available on Jetstar
Popular Routes
- Honolulu to Sydney
- Honolulu to Melbourne
- Honolulu to Gold Coast including (1+ stops)
- Honolulu to Brisbane including (1+ stops)
Airlines
The most popular carriers operating flights from Honolulu to Australia include:
- Jetstar
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Qantas Airways
- Fiji Airways
Flight Frequency
- 5 flights operate daily from Honolulu to Australia
- 37 flights operate weekly from Honolulu to Australia
Best Deals
August tends to be the cheapest month to fly this route, as it is in the Australian winter.
Remember that prices and availability may vary, so it’s best to check with airlines or travel websites for the most up-to-date information and to book your preferred flight.
What are the best stopover cities for Australia flights?
There are several flight options from the USA to Australia that offer layovers in interesting cities:
Asian Layovers
- Hong Kong: Flight time to Sydney is about 9 hours from Hong Kong. This vibrant city offers a mix of skyline views, street markets, and diverse cuisine13.
- Tokyo: Japan can be an excellent stopover option, providing a blend of modern technology and traditional culture3.
- Singapore: Known for its beautiful cityscape and rated as having the best airport in the world, Singapore is a major hub for flights to and from Australia3.
Pacific Island Stopovers
- Honolulu, Hawaii: With a flight time of about 10 hours to Sydney, Honolulu offers beautiful beaches, volcanic landscapes, and rich cultural experiences12.
- Fiji: This tropical paradise can be a relaxing stopover en route to Australia2.
- Tahiti: Another Pacific island option, though it may add more time to your overall journey6.
Middle Eastern Hubs
- Dubai (Emirates), Doha (Qatar Airways), or Abu Dhabi (Etihad): These cities offer modern architecture, luxury shopping, and unique cultural experiences5.
Other Options
- Auckland, New Zealand: Air New Zealand offers flights from Los Angeles to Auckland, with connections to various Australian cities.
When booking, use the “multi-city” or “stopover” options on airline websites to plan your layover.
Remember that layover options may vary depending on your departure city in the USA and your final destination in Australia. It’s best to check with specific airlines or use flight search engines to find the most up-to-date routes and stopover possibilities.
No More Excuses For Not Traveling To Australia
As you can see there are a number of different stopover flights to Australia.
It will be your choice if you wish to take the direct long haul flight that lasts for 15+hours
USA West Coast to Australian East Coast.
You have three viable options for breaking up the long haul trip, and potentially spending a
night in one or two in one of these other amazing places. Australia isn’t as far as you think if you understand your options for getting there.
Consider these options next time you tell yourself “Australia is too far away” .. it’s really not
as far as you think.