MileValue is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Note: Some of the offers mentioned below may have changed or are no longer be available. You can view current offers here.

Qantas will operate its daily flight from Dallas to Sydney with an A380 starting October 1, 2014. This is a large increase in capacity from the current 747 on the route.

The Dallas to Sydney flight will be the longest A380 flight in the world at 16hr55min, so it’s not one I’d be eager to fly in coach.

The route is in addition to the A380 flights Qantas operates from Los Angeles to Sydney and Melbourne. I flew Melbourne to Los Angeles in Business Class on the A380 last year.

• How is award space from Dallas to Sydney in Economy, Business, and First Classes?
• Is it better to book the flights with American Airlines, US Airways, or British Airways miles?

Award Space

Award space in economy alternates between stretches of zero award space and stretches with award space every day.

Business Class award space is very rare, but there are a few days. Frankly I was underwhelmed by the Qantas A380 Business Class as you can see in my review.

No First Class space is currently available on the route. I expect that to change, but not by much, in the coming weeks.

Qantas First Class space is rare between the United States and Australia although Lucky notes that there is currently a lot of award space between Los Angeles and Sydney and Melbourne this July in First Class on the A380. That’s a time of year when I have no interest in visiting Australia–their winter.

If you really want to get into Qantas First Class, check out “How You Can Get into Qantas First Class on an A380.” The gold mine route is between London and Dubai for 40k miles each way in First Class.

What Miles to Use

American Airlines, US Airways, and British Airways miles all have equal access to Qantas award space, but the prices vary:

• American charges 37.5k/62.5k/72.5k miles in economy/business/first each way plus government taxes (about $120 roundtrip) between the United States and Australia
• US Airways charges 80k/110k/140k miles roundtrip in economy/business/first plus government taxes plus a $50 award processing fee between the United States and Australia
• British Airways charges 50k/100k/150k miles in economy/business/first each way plus government taxes plus big fuel surcharges between Dallas and Sydney. It charges extra miles for connecting flights.

American is the cheapest for economy awards. Here’s a roundtrip during Spring 2014 (their Fall) for 75k American Airlines miles + $122.

US Airways is the cheapest for business and first class awards. Plus US Airways lets you route through Asia on the way to Australia if you want to fly Qantas one way and return with Cathay Pacific.

Is anyone willing to fly a 17 hour flight in economy or are you holding out for more premium award availability?