Hello from the Other Side: Flying from Western Sydney Airport on Opening Day

Sydney has waited decades for a second airport. Today, I was lucky to be one of the first passengers to actually use it.

Jetstar flight JQ362 to the Gold Coast pushed back from Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) just before 11.30am on Sunday 25 October 2026. It was the first ever commercial passenger flight from the new airport, and every seat was sold.

I was in seat 25A. Here’s what it is like flying out of WSI on day one – the good, the impressive and the bits that still need work.

Getting to Western Sydney Airport

I booked a seat on the inaugural flight as soon as it was released back in June. What I didn’t do was plan the rest of my trip, which left me scrambling to get from Melbourne to Sydney on the morning of the flight.

Thick fog blanketed Melbourne, and my 6am flight didn’t get away until 6.45am. Lesson learnt: when you’re chasing a once-in-a-lifetime flight, build in a buffer!

My plan was to test out the public transport option: a train to St Marys, then the free WSI Link shuttle bus. It supposedly runs every 30 minutes from 4.30am to midnight. With the fog delay eating into my buffer, I couldn’t risk it, so I booked an Uber instead.

The airport sits at Badgerys Creek, about 44km from the Sydney CBD. You can reach it via the new M12 Motorway off the M7. The M12 is toll-free and, on a Sunday morning, it was eerily quiet.

That’s fine if you can drive or stomach an Uber fare (mine was $135). Mind you, as a Melburnian, catching an Uber to the airport is nothing new! The good news is that the Sydney Metro line to the airport is due to open in 2027, which will make life a lot easier – although still a lengthy journey. Until then, the WSI Link shuttle and new bus routes from hubs like Penrith and Liverpool are your only public transport options.

First impressions: a terminal worth the wait

First impressions matter, and WSI impresses right away. The main entrance is a tall wall of glass framed by concrete columns under a long, flat overhanging roof. It is set among native gardens that will look even better once the young trees grow in.

Outside the entrance, an Aboriginal smoking ceremony was under way to welcome the first passengers.

Upon entering the main check-in hall, the first thing I noticed was the tall ceilings. Check-in and bag drop were automated and fairly straightforward, with enough self-service kiosks. I did stop by the counter to get a physical boarding pass as a souvenir. Jetstar handed out merchandise (hats and T-shirts) to the lucky few who got there early – I missed out. A pop-up coffee shop near the check-in counter was the only place to get coffee on the day.

The departures hall located upstairs is the star. A tall timber-batten ceiling with ripples hangs overhead, and the space feels calm and uncluttered. Domestic and international security sit side by side under one roof, so there is no confusing terminal shuffle like at Kingsford Smith.

A large map near the international entrance promises 250+ destinations with the airport’s airline partners, including Air New Zealand, Fiji Airways, Jetstar, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and VietJet. It is an ambitious sign of what’s to come.

Security was a little slow on day one as the queues included a mix of local Western Sydney residents who just wanted to have a peek inside.

Airside: light, space and a view of the Blue Mountains

Retail is still finding its feet. A big Relay store was open after security, but that was about all that was operating at the time. Google Maps already lists plenty of outlets marked as opening soon.

The airside concourse is long, bright and lined with floor-to-ceiling windows. On a clear day like today, you can see right across the apron to the Blue Mountains.

There is plenty of seating, from standard rows to sofas and armchairs facing the windows. Moving walkways help on the longer walk to the far gates, and the signage is clear and easy to follow.

One highlight is the large artwork running above the walkway. Built from bright orange aircraft wing frames and lines of text about early aviation, it is a nod to Nancy-Bird Walton, the pioneering aviator the airport is named after.

I also spotted gates 18A-18C at the far end of the domestic gates downstairs, which appear to be for walking or bussing out to the aircraft.

The inaugural flight: JQ362 to the Gold Coast

Jetstar went all out for the occasion. Near the gate, its new mascot was posing for photos in front of a “Hello from the other side” backdrop – and yes, I joined the queue!

Our Airbus A320neo was parked at gate 21B. It was registered VH-A5E and had flown in from Sydney Kingsford Smith earlier in the morning.

Boarding began to applause from the crowd. As we boarded, we were handed a WSI cap and a branded biscuit. Row 25 is near the back, which meant I got to board via the rear stairs. I didn’t complain – it was a chance to walk across the tarmac of a brand-new airport.

Onboard, every seat had a “Hello from the other side” card waiting on it. On the other side, there was a “Welcome Aboard” message marking the flight as a milestone in Australian aviation.

The flight was scheduled for 11am and departed just before 11.30am. There was a festive atmosphere throughout the flight, but I was surprised there was no water cannon salute either upon departure or on arrival at the Gold Coast. It was a pretty long taxi out to runway 05 for our departure.

As we climbed out, I got a bird’s-eye view of the whole airport, including the terminal, its long apron and the runway.

Onboard the flight, there were media crews from various news outlets plus special messages from the crew and pilots. The celebrations didn’t stop at the other end. Jetstar and Gold Coast Airport greeted us with WSI-branded cupcakes and ice cream cups. A sweet way to finish a historic trip!

What still needs work

WSI is a great building, but in some ways it is still an airport in progress.

Getting there without a car. WSI’s own master plan expects around 90% of users to arrive by private vehicle at opening. With the Metro line not due until 2027, that is no surprise. A free shuttle to St Marys is a reasonable stopgap, but it is a long way from the convenience of a train.

Food and lounges – coming soon. On day one, food and drink airside came down to a Relay store, with more outlets still waiting to open. Signs around the terminal also point to a premium lounge, but it wasn’t open yet. Hopefully both open by the time more flights arrive.

A thin network (for now). On day one, the departures board showed just two flights. Jetstar starts with the Gold Coast and Melbourne, adding Brisbane on 27 October and Bali (Denpasar) on 15 March. Air New Zealand became the first international airline on 26 October 2026, with Singapore Airlines following in November. Until more airlines and routes arrive, most Sydneysiders will find more choice at Kingsford Smith.

My verdict

Western Sydney International is a spacious, calm and thoughtfully designed space rooted in the Country it sits on. On day one, it felt less like a busy hub and more like a beautiful building waiting for its airlines to arrive. If you live in Western Sydney (home to around half of Sydney’s population), it is already a game-changer for trips to Melbourne and the Gold Coast. The real test comes once the international flights start rolling in.

Teething issues aside, I feel truly grateful to have been part of this piece of Australian aviation history!

Join the discussion on the AFF forum

Have you flown out of Western Sydney Airport yet, or are you planning to? Share your experience and tips in our dedicated thread on the Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) forum.