First-Ever Direct Flights Between South Australia and the US Confirmed

United Airlines will operate the flight route three times a week between San Francisco and Adelaide.

A pilot walks past United Airlines planes parked at San Francisco International Airport on April 12, 2020. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The first direct flight between South Australia and the United States will take off in December 2025, operated by United Airlines.

The 15-hour flights between San Francisco and Adelaide will run three times a week from December to March 2025, with tickets on sale from April 4.

The new route will help Adelaide residents to fly to the U.S. without stopping in Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane. It also presents a major tourism opportunity for South Australia and benefits the U.S. by offering a direct link to San Francisco.

The South Australian government expects the new connection to boost the economy through tourism, trade, conferences, and business events.

Premier Peter Malinauskas described the news as a “historic occasion for South Australians” who have long wanted to fly direct to the U.S.

“For many years, the ambition of a direct route between South Australia and the U.S. has been out of reach,” the Premier said.

“With our state’s economy outperforming the nation, and the historic AUKUS agreement set to drive unprecedented investment into South Australia—now is the right time for direct flights to the U.S.”

United Airlines will operate a 257-seat Dreamliner Boeing 787-9 between the two cities. The first flight to Adelaide will depart from San Francisco on Dec. 11, 2025, while the first flight from Adelaide will leave on Dec. 13.

A Win for Tourism and Business

The new route is expected to increase American tourism in South Australia, which already welcomed 44,000 U.S. visitors last year, contributing $77 million to the local economy.

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison highlighted the cultural similarities between California and South Australia, particularly in wine and coastal tourism.

“It’s a nice coincidence that the Napa Valley is one hour north of San Francisco—just as the Barossa is one hour north of Adelaide,” she said.

“Our guests from America love to explore and know that South Australia is a great place to experience unique settings and wildlife—to get up close with kangaroos and koalas or swim with dolphins and sea lions.”

Brenton Cox, managing director of Adelaide Airport, described the news as a significant moment for the airport, the community, and the state of South Australia.

“Adelaide will now be connected directly to an entirely new continent—this is a core connection in our aviation network vision that has been decades in the making,” he said.

Cox said the service would directly benefit business, investment and the broader tourism economy.

“We will now have even greater business connectivity and export and supply chain opportunities with North America—improving links with what is already our state’s second biggest export market,” he said.

United Airlines will become the only airline offering direct flights to four Australian cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and now Adelaide.

The airline also announced new routes in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila, further expanding its Asia-Pacific network.

United Airlines managing director for APAC Airport Operations, Sam Shinohara, said the new flight route between San Francisco and Adelaide would add nearly 25,000 more seats between the U.S. and Australia each year.

“We know that direct flights are a big factor in people deciding where to travel,” he said.

Global Entry Program Extended to Australia

The news comes just days after the Australian Senate passed legislation enabling fast-track entry between the U.S. and Australia for eligible citizens.

The Global Entry program will enable Australians to apply for fast-track entry to the U.S. upon arrival later in 2025.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the program will “make travel easier for Australians” and strengthen commercial ties between the two nations.

Shadow Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie supported the move, explaining, “We want Australians to have a better experience at the other end of their journey to the U.S. with expedited entry through customs in the U.S.”