Would you fly 18 hours non-stop after 60? Qantas ready to launch

Qantas is preparing to fly Sydney to New York without stopping. For older travellers, skipping the airport connection sounds enticing, but 18 hours in one aircraft raises another question: how will your body handle it?

For generations of Australian travellers, getting to New York has meant accepting one unavoidable fact: somewhere along the way, you’re getting off the plane, but soon, that could change.

Qantas has confirmed its first non-stop Sydney to New York flights will begin in mid-2028, with tickets due to go on sale in August 2027.

The marathon journey is expected to take about 18 hours aboard specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft carrying just 238 passengers.

For travellers who dread connections, airport queues and hauling hand luggage through another terminal, the attraction is obvious. But particularly once you’re in your 60s, 70s and beyond, there’s another consideration. Would your body rather spend 18 hours aboard one aircraft, or get off along the way and walk around?

The appeal of getting there in one hit

Travel at 60 Head of Sales and Operations Cola Maurirere believes the sheer length of the flight will give some older travellers pause.

“Eighteen hours on a flight is a long time, and I believe it will put some people off,” Maurirere said.

“Long flights can be hard on your body and exhausting, but with the right preparation and planning, this flight will also be a real time-saver.”

Qantas clearly knows 18 hours in the sky requires a different approach. Its Project Sunrise A350s will feature a dedicated Wellbeing Zone between premium economy and economy, with stretch handles, guided movement exercises and a hydration station.

The aircraft will also carry significantly fewer passengers than its size might suggest, with Qantas configuring it for 238 seats across four cabins.

What happens when you sit for that long?

One of the more serious considerations on very long flights is deep-vein thrombosis, or DVT.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says travelling for more than four hours can increase the risk of blood clots because passengers remain seated and relatively immobile for extended periods.

The overall risk for most people remains low, but age is one factor that can increase it. Other risk factors include obesity, previous blood clots, recent surgery or injury, active cancer and limited mobility.

The CDC recommends moving your legs regularly during long journeys and exercising the calf muscles. Getting up and walking periodically is also advised.

For people with additional risk factors, properly fitted graduated compression stockings may be recommended. Aspirin is not routinely recommended to prevent travel-related blood clots, while preventive blood-thinning medication is something higher-risk travellers should discuss individually with their doctor.

Comfort becomes more important

Maurirere says Travel at 60 customers already place a premium on comfort when facing long-haul journeys.

“Our clients are looking for comfort and value when travelling long haul,” she said. “If the budget allows, they upgrade to premium economy or business for that extra space, comfort and service.”

For economy passengers, there are other priorities.

“Baggage, food and entertainment are always high on the list, along with the shortest flying time and the fewest stopovers,” Maurirere said.

That could be a major attraction of Sydney–New York non-stop. Instead of landing, disembarking, negotiating another airport and boarding again, passengers remain on the aircraft until they reach New York.

The trade-off is losing the enforced break and opportunity to walk around that comes with a stopover.

Preparing for 18 hours in the air

Maurirere says she would first want to understand an individual traveller’s priorities before recommending non-stop over a conventional journey.

Her general advice is straightforward.

“Upgrade if your budget allows, be sure to wear comfortable, breathable clothing, take a neck pillow, stay hydrated and moisturised,” she said.

She also suggests compression socks. Medical guidance is more nuanced on that point: they can be useful for some travellers, particularly those at increased risk of blood clots, but anyone with existing health concerns should discuss their individual circumstances with their doctor.

An aisle seat may also be worth considering. Apart from making trips to the bathroom easier, it can make regularly getting up and moving less of a hassle.

And although a few wines might seem an appealing way to knock several hours off the journey, travel-health guidance recommends limiting or avoiding alcohol on lengthy flights.

Hydration is sensible during ultra-long-haul travel, although current medical guidance does not establish dehydration itself as a cause of travel-related DVT.

What about sleep and medication?

Eighteen hours in the air also means crossing multiple time zones, which can complicate the timing of regular medication.

Travellers who rely on time-sensitive medicines should work out a plan with their doctor or pharmacist before leaving rather than trying to calculate it somewhere over the Pacific.

Sleeping tablets also deserve caution.

Travel-health guidance warns that some sedating medications can have effects lasting beyond the intended sleep period. Combining sedating medication with alcohol can introduce further risks.

For anyone with existing medical conditions, limited mobility or a history of blood clots, a conversation with their doctor before attempting an ultra-long-haul flight is sensible.

Non-stop or stop halfway?

There isn’t one answer for every traveller.

For some people over 60, eliminating a connection, reducing the overall journey and avoiding another airport may make New York considerably easier to reach.

Others may prefer breaking the trip, particularly if they find extremely long periods aboard an aircraft uncomfortable. A stopover also provides the chance to get off the plane and walk around, although that doesn’t necessarily make a two-flight journey the healthier option.

For Maurirere, that’s why understanding the individual traveller comes first.

“I’d need to understand the traveller’s needs and what they prioritise,” she said.

Come 2028, Australians heading to New York will have a choice they’ve never had before: get there in one enormous leap, or keep breaking the journey.

Ready to travel? For flights, accommodation, tours and incredible package holidays designed for over-60s, talk to the team at Travel at 60.