Newcomer Strategic Airlines plans to begin flights to the USA as early as September this year, taking on Qantas Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin Australia through its alliance with Delta in the battle for trans-Pacific travelers.

The airline, which is reportedly poised to rename itself Air Australia, has obtained permission from the International Air Services Commission for an unlimited number of passenger flights to the US.


The outcome is that business travelers can look forward to increased competition on American routes and lower fares as a result of Strategic's appearance on the lucrative US route.

Strategic says it plans to start the flights this September but the airline won't be able to offer direct services, however, as its Airbus A330 aircraft will need a stopover in Honolulu before continuing to the west coast , which could be done with its own aircraft or by code-sharing with a US-based airline partner.