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The 15 Longest Flights in the World

From New York to Singapore and Perth to London, these are the longest flight routes in the world.

world longest travel flight

If you’re looking to maximize your time in the sky, you might consider taking the current longest flight in the world — just board a Singapore Airlines plane in New York City and disembark in Singapore 9,537 miles (and nearly 19 hours) later.

While that flight holds the current record, it isn’t the longest flight ever flown — the longest nonstop commercial flight ever operated happened back in March 2020. Air Tahiti Nui flew nonstop from Papeete, Tahiti to Paris, traveling 9,765 miles, bypassing its usual stopover in Los Angeles due to pandemic-related travel restrictions in place at the time. That record, however, will be surpassed by Qantas in 2025, when the airline launches its 10,573-mile flights between Sydney and London and its 9,950-mile flights between Sydney and New York.

Here is the current list of the top 15 longest flights in the world that are in operation. They are ordered according to distance, since this metric remains constant, as opposed to flight timing, which can vary according to season, weather, and airport conditions at different times of the year.

Of the below flights, the shortest estimated flight time clocks in at a whopping 14 hours and 30 minutes, so you’ll need to come prepared for the long haul. Wear a comfortable airplane outfit, grab your best travel pillow , and queue up your favorite TV shows and movies — you’ve got time to kill. And if there was ever a time to upgrade to first class , this is it.   

1. New York City (JFK) – Singapore (SIN)

Airline: Singapore Airlines

Distance: 9,537 miles

Estimated Flight Time: 18 hours, 50 minutes

2. Singapore (SIN) – Newark (EWR)

Distance: 9,523 miles

Estimated Flight Time: 18 hours, 45 minutes

3. Perth (PER) – London (LHR)

Airline: Qantas

Distance: 9,010 miles

Estimated Flight Time: 17 hours, 15 minutes

4. Melbourne (MEL) – Dallas (DFW)

Distance: 8,992 miles

Estimated Flight Time: 17 hours, 35 minutes

5. Auckland (AKL) – New York (JFK)

Airline: Air New Zealand and Qantas

Distance: 8,828 miles

6. Dubai (DXB) - Auckland (AKL)

Airline: Emirates

Distance: 8,824 miles

Estimated Flight Time: 17 hours, 10 minutes

7. Singapore (SIN) - Los Angeles (LAX)

Distance: 8,770 miles

Estimated Flight Time: 17 hours, 50 minutes

8. Bangalore (BLR) - San Francisco (SFO)

Airline: Air India

Distance: 8,701 miles

Estimated Flight Time: 17 hours, 40 minutes

9. Houston (IAH) - Sydney (SYD)

Airline: United Airlines

Distance: 8,596 miles

10. Sydney (SYD) - Dallas (DFW)

Distance: 8,576 miles

Estimated Flight Time: 15 hours, 20 minutes

11. Manila (MNL) - San Francisco (SFO)

Airline: Philippine Airlines

Distance: 8,520 miles

Estimated Flight Time: 17 hours

12. Singapore (SIN) - San Francisco (SFO)

Airline: Singapore Airlines and United Airlines

Distance: 8,446 miles

Estimated Flight Time: 14 hours, 30 minutes

13. Atlanta (ATL) - Johannesburg (JNB)

Airline: Delta

Distance: 8,439 miles

14. Mumbai (BOM) - San Francisco (SFO)

Distance: 8,406 miles

Estimated Flight Time: 16 hours

15. Dubai (DXB) - Los Angeles (LAX)

Distance: 8,339 miles

Estimated Flight Time: 16 hours, 20 minutes

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The 10 Longest Nonstop Flights in the World (From a Points and Miles Perspective)

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The 10 Longest Nonstop Flights in the World (From a Points and Miles Perspective)

1. Singapore (SIN) to New York (JFK) on Singapore Airlines: 9,537 Miles

What happened to cathay pacific, 2. singapore (sin) to newark (ewr) on singapore airlines: 9,535 miles, 3. doha (doh) to auckland (akl) on qatar airways: 9,032 miles, 4. perth (per) to london (lhr) on qantas: 9,009 miles, 5. melbourne (mel) to dallas (dfw) on qantas: 8,992 miles, 6. auckland (akl) to new york (jfk) on air new zealand : 8,828 miles, 7. dubai (dxb) to auckland (akl) on emirates: 8,824 miles, 8. singapore (sin) to los angeles (lax) on singapore airlines: 8,770 miles, 9. bengaluru (blr) to san francisco (sfo) on air india: 8,701 miles, 10. houston (iah) to sydney (syd) on united airlines: 8,596 miles, mapping the flights, boeing 777-200lr, boeing 787-9 dreamliner, airbus a350-900ulr, airbus a350-1000, airbus a380-800, final thoughts.

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If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re a true points-and-miles geek, here’s a quick test:

You’ve just booked a nearly 10,000-mile, 17-hour ultra-long-haul flight. What’s your immediate reaction?

  • You cringe at the thought of most of a day spent in a cramped economy seat.
  • You pop the bubbly, either literally or metaphorically.

If you answered the latter, you’re probably the kind of travel-hacking ninja who’s been ecstatic about the increasing number of ultra-long-haul flights. Heck, you may have already joined the legions of points nerds who go out of their way to hop on the longest commercial flights in the world. (Guilty!)

So why would anyone willingly subject themselves to nearly 10,000 miles and more than 17 hours on a tin can 40,000 feet in the air? Because they’re probably not flying economy.

For points-and-miles geeks, jetting around the world on one of the longest nonstop flights in existence means they get to maximize their time on the truly fantastic products they and their friends aspire to. It’s a big redemption win for hard-earned miles!

To that end, we’re diving into the 10 longest nonstop flights in the world and what they’re worth from a points perspective — along with fun facts about the aircraft primed to get you to your destination.

And if you didn’t pass the points-and-miles geek test this time, one of these fabulous redemptions might convert you!

The Top 10 Longest Nonstop Flights in the World

Airlines use nautical miles, not on-the-ground miles. Every nautical mile is equal to a little over 1.15 land-based, or statute, miles. However, for the purposes of this article, we’re sticking to the more familiar statute miles unless otherwise stated. We’re also not including the return flights on the same routes.

Scheduled flight time: 18 hours, 50 minutes Flight Number : SQ 24 Aircraft:  Airbus   A350-900ULR Best business class redemption: 111,500 Singapore KrisFlyer miles one-way (transfer from Amex Membership Rewards , Brex Rewards , Capital One Miles , Chase Ultimate Rewards , Citi ThankYou Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy )

Though it was temporarily dethroned last winter by Cathay Pacific’s improvised Hong Kong-to-New York route (keep reading to find out why), Singapore Airlines has again regained its crown for longest-distance commercial flight.

  • Watch all 7 movies in the “Mission Impossible” franchise, “Top Gun,” and “Top Gun: Maverick” and still have about 25 minutes left over — or enough time to catch much of the 2005 episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” with that infamous couch-jumping interview with Tom Cruise.
  • Mileage-wise, drive from Portland, Maine, to Portland, Oregon, and back again — and then turn around and drive to Portland, Oregon 1 more time.

The A350-900ULR on this route uses 94 premium economy and 67 business class seats.

SIN JFK Portland Portland map

These incredibly long flights halfway around the world won’t pay for themselves! Before you pack your bags, think about what you’re packing in your wallet: Check out our guide to the best credit cards for travelers .

Though Singapore Airlines has long ruled the roost of long-distance flights, it wasn’t on top from 2022 to early 2023. That’s when Cathay Pacific flew A350-1000s from New York City (JFK) to Hong Kong (HKG), listed at 10,326 miles for 17 hours and 50 minutes. Cathay Pacific pilots relied on strong but seasonal tailwinds to make the flight possible without consuming too much fuel.

Cathay Pacific chose this incredibly long flight path because of the Russia-Ukraine war. The short-lived route took planes over the Atlantic Ocean, over the U.K., through southern Europe, and over parts of Central Asia to avoid flying through Russian airspace.

Japan Airlines similarly did a temporary, much longer rerouting for flights from Tokyo to London for the same reason, going eastbound over the Pacific instead of westbound through Russia. Cathay Pacific has since returned to a more conventional flight plan over the Pacific with a shorter official flight distance of just over 8,000 miles.

  • In terms of time, the temporary Cathay Pacific JFK to HKG route was long enough to watch all 10 of the “Star Trek” feature films in which James T. Kirk is the lead character (i.e., all of the original series and J.J. Abrams-reboot movies but omitting the “Star Trek: The Next Generation” films), with 1 minute to spare.
  • It was also about the same distance as driving from the southernmost point in the continental U.S. — Key West, Florida — to the northernmost U.S. settlement —- Utqiagvik, Alaska, formerly known as Barrow — then deciding it was too cold and driving back down to sunny San Antonio, Texas, instead. By the way, you should never attempt to drive to Utqiagvik, even in a snowcat, during the short window when the sea ice is solid enough for some crossings.

Key West Barrow San Antonio map

Want to make the whole longest-flight-in-the-world debate even more confusing? Despite airlines’ listed flight distances for routes, pilots routinely take advantage of conditions like jet streams, which can shorten the flight time but increase the distance. So, though the official flight distance of SQ 24 is around 9,500 statute miles, in reality, it’s not unheard of for pilots on the route to actually cover more like 10,700 statute miles.)

Bottom line? Don’t take “official” records for longest flights too seriously.

Scheduled flight time: 18 hours, 25 minutes Flight number: SQ 22 Aircraft: Airbus A350-900ULR Best business class redemption: 111,500 Singapore KrisFlyer miles one-way (transfer from Amex Membership Rewards, Brex Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy)

  • Watch all of the original “Harry Potter” movies (“Sorcerer’s Stone” to “Death Hallows: Part 2”) without credits, with 13 minutes left over, or about enough time for a quick meal with the Yule Ball dinner scene on pause during “Goblet of Fire.”
  • Mileage-wise, drive from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Los Angeles to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida and back — and then do most of the round-trip journey all over again. (Get your portkey ready as you near Tucson, Arizona, for the fourth time.)

This flight crosses a seemingly impossible 10 time zones!

Singapore Newark LA Orlando maps

Scheduled flight time:  17 hours, 20 minutes Flight number: QR 920 Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000 Best business class redemption: 140,000 Avios plus about $150 (transfer from British Airways Executive Club, Aer Lingus AerClub , Iberia Plus , Bilt Rewards , Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy)

Qatar resumed the longest nonstop route in its network on September 1, 2023, after putting it on hold for 3 years during the COVID-19 pandemic. For its return, the route now features Qatar’s newest plane, the Airbus A350-1000.

  • Watch every Roger Moore James Bond movie, then throw in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” You could still get in 2 007-minute bathroom breaks.
  • In terms of distance, you could drive 3 times between New York City (the site of the opening scene of Moore’s first Bond movie, “Live and Let Die”) to San Francisco (as in Moore’s final scene as Bond in “A View to a Kill”). You’d have about enough leftover miles to make it from San Francisco to San Diego and back once, futilely searching for “Moonraker” villain Hugo Drax’s “California” mansion (which was actually a chateau in France).

DOH AKL NYC San Francisco San Diego map

Scheduled flight time:  17 hours, 35 minutes Flight number: QF 9 Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Best business class redemption: 85,000 American miles one-way (transfer from Bilt Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy) Best first class redemption: 115,000 American miles one-way (transfer from Bilt Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy)

  • Watch all 6 “Rocky” movies (including the 3 “Creed” spinoffs) and still have enough time to watch most of the “30 for 30” episode “42 to 1,” about Mike Tyson’s first defeat in the ring.
  • Mileage-wise, drive from the steps Rocky ran up (at the Philadelphia Museum of Art) to the site of Rocky’s last fight (Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas) and back nearly twice.

PER LHR Philly Las Vegas map

Scheduled Flight Time:  17 hours, 35 minutes Flight number: QF 21 Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Best business class redemption: 55,000 Alaska miles one-way (transfer from Marriott Bonvoy) Best first class redemption: 70,000 Alaska miles one-way (transfer from Marriott Bonvoy)

  • Watch all 5 feature films in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise , followed by both “Fantastic Beasts” movies that Johnny Depp appears in, leaving you about an hourlong break from your own personal Deppfest.
  • Mileage-wise, make a round trip from pirate Jean Lafitte’s favorite haunt, New Orleans, to Pittsburgh, home of baseball’s Pirates, 4 times.

MEL DFW New Orleans Pittsburgh map

Qantas plans to use the A350-1000 to fly 2 of the world’s longest routes, Sydney to New York and Sydney to London, as early as 2025.

Scheduled flight time: 17 hours, 50 minutes Flight number: NZ 2 Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Best business class redemption: 120,000 ANA miles one-way (transfer from Amex Membership Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy)

  • Watch “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and “The Hobbit” trilogy (theatrical editions) and still have about 40 minutes to spare.
  • Mileage-wise, drive from Gimli, Manitoba, to Drake Bay, Costa Rica, and back — and still have time for a detour through part of the Rocky Mountains (which you can pretend are the Misty Mountains).

MEL JFK Gimli Drake Bay map

Scheduled flight time:  17 hours, 10 minutes Flight number: EK 448 Aircraft:  Airbus A380-800 Best business class redemption: 85,000 Japan Airlines miles plus a large cash surcharge one-way (transfer from Marriott Bonvoy)

Emirates used to fly this route on the Boeing 777-200LR but is currently operating the larger, 2-level Airbus A380.

  • Watch all 5 movies in the “Indiana Jones” franchise, plus all 3 movies in the “Jurassic Park” franchise (not including the “Jurassic World” sequels) with 1 minute of time to yourself free from adventuring scientists.
  • Mileage-wise, drive from the state of Indiana to the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant (Roswell, New Mexico) and back nearly 4 times.

DXB AKL Indiana Roswell map

Scheduled flight time:  17 hours, 50 minutes Flight number: SQ 38 Aircraft:  Airbus A350-900ULR Best business class redemption : 135,000 Asiana miles one-way (transfer from Marriott Bonvoy) or 200,000 United miles one-way (transfer from Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy) Best first class redemption : 180,000 Asiana miles one-way (transfer from Marriott Bonvoy)

  • Watch all 3 movies in “The Godfather” trilogy (original cuts), “Goodfellas,” “Casino,” and “The Departed” and still have a little under an hour to ponder the morality of your life choices.
  • Mileage-wise, you could make the trip between Little Italy in New York City to Las Vegas nearly 3.5 times. Don’t forget to take the cannoli!

SIN LAX NYC Vegas map

Scheduled flight time:  17 hours, 40 minutes Flight number: AI 175 Aircraft: Boeing 777-200LR Best business class redemption: 100,000 Air Canada points plus about $35 in taxes and fees (transfer from Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy)

  • Watch all 5 movies in the “Die Hard” franchise, plus “The Fifth Element,” “The Sixth Sense,” and “12 Monkeys” for a Bruce Willis festival. Then, top it off with “Over the Hedge,” in which Willis plays a raccoon.
  • Distance-wise, you could recreate the real-life trajectory of Bruce Willis by driving from his hometown of Carney’s Point, New Jersey, to Hollywood, California — 3 times.

BLR SFO NJ LA map

The ancient Indian city of Bangalore officially changed its name back to its traditional, non-Anglicized Kannada name, Bengaluru, in November 2014, though many still refer to it by its colonial name.

Scheduled flight time: 17 hours, 35 minutes Flight number: UA 101 Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Best business class redemption: 250,000 United miles one-way (transfer from Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy)

United resurrected this route on October 28, 2023, after putting it on hold for 2 years because of the pandemic.

  • Watch all 5 movies in the “Scream” franchise, then all 5 movies in the “Scary Movie” franchise.
  • Mileage-wise, drive from the northern Illinois suburbs (where the granddaddy of slasher flicks, “Halloween,” was set) to Santa Rosa, California (the hub of most of the original “Scream” filming locations), and back. And then, like any horror franchise, do it all over again.

SYD IAH Chicagoland Santa Rosa map

We ranked flights by distance rather than flight time because flight time can vary significantly for many reasons. Please note that because flight times vary so widely from flight to flight, the actual time you spend in the air will likely differ from the listed time if you take one of these trips.

We listed flights by the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth’s surface, also known as the great circle distance. This can also differ from the actual distance for reasons including wind, severe weather, and the need to avoid closed airspace. 

Great Circle Mapper Alternate Views Oct 15 2023

Need trivia to throw out at your next AvGeek party? The record for the longest nonstop commercial flight in terms of time in the air is held by Qantas for its August 30, 1943, flight in a Consolidated PBY Catalina seaplane from what is now Sri Lanka to Australia.

It took 32 hours and 9 minutes to travel 3,512 statute miles. The route was nicknamed “The Double Sunrise” because it experienced 2 sunrises per flight — scheduled that way so that it flew through Japanese-occupied territory at night.

About the Aircraft

As planes become more fuel-efficient and fuel costs remain relatively low, we’ll continue to see big competition for a spot on the leaderboard for the longest nonstop flights in the world.

Boeing and Airbus continue to find new ways to increase the range and passenger capacity of their aircraft, allowing airlines to turn a profit from these ultra-long-haul flights.

These aircraft (currently) make up the roster for the longest nonstop flights in the world:

  • Boeing 777-200LR — Air India
  • Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner — Air New Zealand, Qantas, United
  • Airbus A350-900ULR — Singapore Airlines
  • Airbus A350-1000 — Qatar Airways, Qantas (by 2025)
  • Airbus A380 — Emirates

Range: 9,845 miles/8,555 nautical miles/15,843 kilometers Capacity: 317 passengers Maximum Cruising Speed: Mach 0.89/683 mph Engine:  GE90-115B turbofan

The Boeing 777 commercial series is made up of 3 long-range, wide-body, twin-engine jet airliners. Boeing says that the 777 aircraft provides considerably improved reach and increased revenue potential.

In 2015, General Electric proclaimed the GE90-115B turbofan engine the most powerful engine in the world . The GE90 series held the title of history’s largest aviation engine until the introduction of the GE9X, which began flight testing in 2018. The Boeing 777 series has also won several awards for its interior cabin design and passenger satisfaction.

The 777-200LR (the “LR” is for “Long Range”) is the aircraft of choice for Emirates’ Dubai-to-Auckland route and Air India’s Bengaluru-to-San Francisco route. Air India flies a 777-200LR previously flown by Delta Air Lines for this journey.

Emirates Boeing 777 200LR

Range:  8,786 miles/7,635 nautical miles/4,140 kilometers Capacity: 290 passengers Maximum Cruising Speed: Mach 0.85/652 mph Engine: GEnx-1B/Trent 1000

Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner series comprises 3 midsize, wide-body, twin-engine jet airliners. Combined, the 787 series currently services over 170 nonstop flights worldwide. The 787-9, however, is the only Dreamliner to make it on the list of longest nonstop flights in the world.

Boeing says that its 787 series provides advantages. including higher distance range and fuel efficiency, more cargo volume, lower operating costs, and a more reliable aircraft.

The 787-9 is the aircraft of choice for all Qantas Perth-to-London and Melbourne-to-Dallas routes, and United’s Houston-to-Sydney flight.

Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Range:  11,163 miles/9,700 nautical miles/17,964 kilometers Capacity: 161 (SQ configuration — premium economy and business class only) Maximum Cruising Speed: Mach 0.89/683 mph Engine: Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84

Airbus introduced the A350 series in response to the success of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, and the A350-900 is the first member of the company’s Extra Wide Body, or XWB, a family of next-generation, high-efficiency, high-capacity passenger jets for long-haul flights.

The A350-900’s first test flight was in 2013, and it flew its first commercial flight (with Qatar Airways) in 2015. Currently, however, Singapore Airlines is the only airline to fly the A350-900ULR version of the -900.

That A350-900ULR variant (“ULR” for “Ultra Long Range”) is a lighter aircraft that can fly farther and is more cost-efficient than large double-decker jets like the 747 or A380. Because of the materials used, there’s also less maintenance required — an important aspect for global airlines. Passengers find the engine noise substantially quieter , too.

The main feature of the ULR is that the fuel tanks hold more fuel, critical for ultra-long-haul flights. In addition to extra fuel storage, there are aerodynamic improvements that allow the aircraft to serve routes that previously would have required a technical stop.

The A350-900ULR is the aircraft of choice for Singapore Airlines’ routes from Singapore to New York, Newark, and Los Angeles.

Singapore Airlines A350 900ULR aircraft

Range:  10,001 miles/8,700 nautical miles/16,112 kilometers Capacity: 480 passengers maximum (327 on Qatar Airways) Maximum Cruising Speed: Mach 0.89/683 mph Engine: Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97

Qatar Airways launched the first A350-1000 route in February 2018, traveling from Doha, Qatar, to London with 46 Qsuites and 281 economy seats in a 3-3-3 configuration.

Measuring 23 feet longer than the A350-900, the fuel-efficient A350-1000 is the largest version of the A350. It can squeeze in more dedicated passenger space, has a more powerful engine, and fits in more comfort-focused technology like climate zones, improved air circulation and filtration, and ambient lighting designed to reduce jet lag.

With a maximum range that’s 1,000 nautical miles shorter than the A350-900ULR’s, the A350-1000 hasn’t received Airbus designation as a ULR model.

Qantas has ordered A350-1000s that it plans on putting into service starting in 2025 . Singapore, which has today’s largest fleet of A350s, has standing orders with Airbus for dozens of A350s, with a clause that allows it to pick from either the -900 or -1000 variants closer to delivery.

A350 1000

Range:  9,206 miles/8,000 nautical miles/14,800 kilometers Capacity: 555 passengers maximum (489 on Emirates) Maximum Cruising Speed: Mach 0.88/675 mph Engine: Rolls-Royce Trent 900 or GE-Pratt & Whitney GP-7200 turbofans

Also called the Super Jumbo, the Airbus A380-800 is the largest commercial passenger airplane in the world. It’s a double-decker that began development all the way back in the 1990s as a direct challenger to the then-dominant Boeing 747 when it came to long-haul flights. Early company visions of the plane even included the possibility of onboard shops, restaurants, and casinos.

The A380-800, sometimes called the A388, was the passenger variant of the 2 A380 models Airbus originally offered. The other option was the freighter version, the A380F.

Singapore Airlines was the first airline to fly the A380 in October 2007, with Emirates eventually amassing the largest fleet of A380s and becoming the leading A380 customer by far, accounting for nearly half of all orders of the A380.

But the shifting realities of the industry didn’t mesh well with a jet even larger than the 747, and the last A380 rolled off the production line in 2021, eclipsed by smaller, more efficient planes like the A330, A350, and 787.

Emirates A380

The competition for the top spot on the list of the longest nonstop flights in the world won’t end any time soon. The only question is: How will the airlines choose to get there?

Within the past few years, we’ve seen the final flight of the last U.S. carrier-operated Boeing 747, once the hallmark of long-haul flights. In 2021, we saw several carriers announce plans to move away from the behemoth A380 to save on fuel and match current passenger demands. Moving forward, will airlines shy away from enormous jets in search of slimmer, more efficient aircraft? Or will the so-called superjumbos also evolve, eventually providing a more efficient and profitable means of carrying passengers around the world?

From a points perspective, we certainly hope jumbo jets make a comeback at some point. The optimized business and first class cabins of the more upscale carriers are every miles chaser’s dream.

Rewarding your hard-earned miles with 17 hours in business class on a 787-9 is unbeatable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the longest flight time in the world.

The longest nonstop commercial flight in the world is usually scheduled to last 18 hours and 50 minutes from Singapore (SIN) to New York City (JFK), serviced by Singapore Airlines.

What is the longest flight in the world by distance?

The longest flight in the world by distance is Singapore (SIN) to New York (JFK) on Singapore Airlines, officially measuring 9,537 miles.

What plane can fly the farthest in the world?

The current record for the longest-distance commercial flight is held by a Boeing 777-200LR for a journey in 2005. This flight from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to London Heathrow (LHR) took the long way (vs. great circle distance) and was logged at 21,602 km (13,423 miles/11,664 nautical miles).

What is the largest plane in the world?

The largest commercial jet airliner in the world by capacity is the double-decker Airbus A380-800, which can hold up to 863 passengers. It’s also the biggest in terms of wingspan, at 261.7 feet. But the Airbus Super Jumbo loses out in length to the Boeing 747-8I (“I” for “Intercontinental”), which is 250 feet long, compared to the A380’s 238 feet.

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About Erin Miller

An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.

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The world’s longest nonstop flights, updated

Ethan Klapper

Ultra-long-haul flights are back in the air after a brief pause during the pandemic. These flights, which can take as long as 19 hours, connect some of the world's biggest cities without a stop in an intermediate hub.

Singapore Airlines has long been known for operating some of the world's longest flights. The carrier connects Singapore with two New York City-area airports on a daily basis, and both routes top the list of the world's longest flights.

Other carriers have recently launched new and interesting ultra-long-haul routes, including Air New Zealand's new flight from New York to Auckland, New Zealand , which took off last September.

While Air New Zealand was a newcomer to the top 10 list last year, Qantas is giving the airline a run for its money by launching its own route from New York to Auckland this week. At 8,829 miles, it will tie with Air New Zealand's service as the world's fifth-longest flight.

Qantas is no stranger to ultra-long-haul flying. (It's just too bad its existing wide-body fleet doesn't yet feature Wi-Fi.) The airline also holds the title for the world's third, fourth and 10th longest flights; in a few years, it might also hold the record for the longest.

That's because Qantas' "Project Sunrise" routes will include nonstop service from Sydney to both London (10,573 miles) and New York (9,950 miles). Although the airline ran proof-of-concept tests in 2019, those flights are not expected to launch until at least 2025 , so they don't make the list yet.

Have an upcoming vacation in mind? See how close you are to paying for it with points with the free TPG App !

So, what are the world's longest routes right now?

Here are the top 10 longest routes operating in June 2023 measured by statute miles as calculated by travel data firm OAG. (Note: For consistency, all mileage calculations come courtesy of OAG. Other data providers may show slightly different mileage calculations depending on their methodology.) Duration of flight data comes from Cirium, an aviation data service.

world longest travel flight

We've listed the flight that typically has the longest scheduled flying time, normally the one that flies in the direction of typical head winds. Given geopolitical tensions associated with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, some actual flight times might be considerably longer than what is listed as airlines avoid Russian airspace. Other routes that might not normally make the cut — such as Cathay Pacific's New York-to-Hong Kong route — are flying longer-than-normal flight paths as they also seek to avoid Russian airspace.

Additionally, keep in mind that the listed times are those that are blocked in airline schedules; during actual travel, flights can be shorter or longer depending on the winds.

Scroll down to see the full list, and we'll update it regularly as new routes begin and suspended ones resume.

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1. Singapore Airlines: New York to Singapore

world longest travel flight

  • Route: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).
  • Flight number: SQ 23/24.
  • Aircraft flying: Airbus A350-900ULR .
  • Calculated distance: 9,527 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 18 hours, 50 minutes.

2. Singapore Airlines: Newark to Singapore

world longest travel flight

  • Route: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to SIN.
  • Flight number: SQ 21/22.
  • Calculated distance: 9,525 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 18 hours, 45 minutes.

3. Qantas: Perth, Australia, to London

world longest travel flight

  • Route: Perth Airport (PER) to Heathrow Airport (LHR).
  • Flight number: QF 9/10.
  • Aircraft flying: Boeing 787-9 .
  • Calculated distance: 9,009 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 17 hours, 20 minutes.

4. Qantas: Dallas to Melbourne, Australia

world longest travel flight

  • Route: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Melbourne Airport (MEL).
  • Flight number: QF 21/22.
  • Calculated distance: 8,990 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 17 hours, 35 minutes.

5. Air New Zealand: New York to Auckland

world longest travel flight

  • Route: JFK to Auckland Airport (AKL).
  • Flight number: NZ 1/2.
  • Calculated distance: 8,829 miles.

5. Qantas: New York to Auckland

Image courtesy of Qantas Airways.

  • Route: JFK to AKL.
  • Flight number: QF 3/4.
  • Duration of flight: 17 hours, 30 minutes.

6. Emirates: Dubai to Auckland

world longest travel flight

  • Route: Dubai International Airport (DXB) to AKL.
  • Flight number: EK 448/449.
  • Aircraft flying: Airbus A380-800 .
  • Calculated distance: 8,819 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 17 hours, 5 minutes.

7. Singapore Airlines: Los Angeles to Singapore

world longest travel flight

  • Route: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to SIN.
  • Flight number: SQ 35/36/37/38.
  • Calculated distance: 8,759 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 17 hours, 10 minutes.

8. Air India: San Francisco to Bengaluru, India

world longest travel flight

  • Route: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Kempegowda International Airport (BLR).
  • Flight number: AI 175/176.
  • Aircraft flying: Boeing 777-200LR.
  • Calculated distance: 8,688 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 17 hours, 55 minutes.

9. Qantas: Dallas to Sydney

world longest travel flight

  • Route: DFW to Sydney Airport (SYD).
  • Flight number: QF 7/8.
  • Calculated distance: 8,576 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 16 hours, 45 minutes.

10: Philippine Airlines: New York to Manila, Philippines

world longest travel flight

  • Route: JFK to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL).
  • Flight number: PR 126/127.
  • Aircraft flying: Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777-300ER.
  • Calculated distance: 8,507 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 17 hours.

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These Are the Longest Flights in the World

On these flights, you could watch the entire “jurassic park” franchise and still take a five-hour nap..

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Airplane taking off at sunset

During the world’s longest flights, sometimes fliers will experience more than one sunrise.

Photo by Shutterstock

As flight technology advances (such as being able to hold more and burn less fuel) and long-haul carriers make improved efforts to provide a more comfortable journey (be that with jet lag–reducing lighting, serving healthier food , and enhancing business-class and economy seats for a more comfortable journey), the longest flights in the world are gradually getting even longer. The lengthiest now connect cities on opposite sides of the globe and are upwards of 17 hours.

When Australia’s national carrier Qantas debuts its Project Sunrise routes in 2025 (which will include nonstop service between Sydney and both London and New York, at 10,573 and 9,950 miles, respectively), they will be the longest flights in the world ; the longer flight (London) will clock in at a staggering 20 hours.

What is the world’s longest flight?

Currently, the world’s longest flight is the 9,585-mile route between New York City and Singapore, operated by Singapore Airlines with a flying time of 18.5 hours. The flight takes place on an Airbus A350-900ULR, which is configured with 67 pod-style business-class seats and 94 premium economy seats—there are no regular economy seats.

Aerial view of Singapore

As of fall 2023, the world’s longest flight is between New York City and this city-state in Asia.

Courtesy of Hu Chen/Unsplash

The longest flights in the world

Whether you love the idea of knocking out most or all of your travel time (and likely a few seasons of your favorite show) in one go or would rather avoid an ultra-long-haul journey and break it up with a layover ( stopover programs are a great way to sneak in added sightseeing between two legs of a trip), here are the 10 current longest flights in the world by miles.

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On board the longest flight in the world: what it's like to fly 19 hours nonstop

By Ramsey Qubein

Longest Flight in the World What It's Like to Fly 19 Hours Nonstop

Airlines are pushing boundaries to connect far-flung global cities every year. The longest flight in the world, currently flown by Singapore Airlines , is proof. For travellers who want to visit loved ones this 19-hour journey from John F. Kennedy is a gem in the crown of ultra-long-haul travel. But even in first and business class, the prospect of such a long journey can be daunting.

To see what the experience was really like, I recently hopped on Singapore Airlines’ nonstop route from New York to Singapore . On Singapore’s specially designed Airbus A350-900ULR (ultra long range) I was seated in business class, which takes up most of the plane ( premium economy occupies the back third of the aircraft – the airline opted to not offer traditional economy class on such a long journey). True to Singapore 's style, there were plenty of comfortable touches. Likewise, there were things I wish I knew about before, and would plan ahead for in the future.

From the in-flight menu to the best seats in the house, this is exactly what it's like on the longest flight in the world, plus what to know before boarding it yourself.

What is the longest flight in the world really like?

Gearing up for a flight that stretches 19 hours takes mental preparation. I started by thinking about how I planned to spend time on board and what I wanted to do when I landed – and slowly adjusting my sleep pattern days before the flight.

Once on board, I settled into my seat, which is one of the widest business-class seats in the sky . I prepared my new home, laying out what I’d need during the flight and finding all the charging ports. The amenity kit and lavatories have some thoughtful products, like a wrinkle-reducing spray for clothes (important after a long flight). Because this flight departs in the evening, some people opted to change into pyjamas or loose-fitting clothing to help them get better rest – I committed to the spray.

Donning Pierre Balmain-designed sarong kebayas, flight attendants introduce themselves while I perused nearly 1,000 entertainment options. The crew addresses every passenger by their last name, and by the end of the flight, they have memorised every passenger, even as they say goodbye one by one at the departure door.

After takeoff, it was time for drinks and a movie. Singapore flight attendants are masters at the craft of hospitality. Wine and Champagne are poured at the seat with an explanation of the vineyard and how each pairs well with dishes from the menu.

The multi-course meal was served with great fanfare and included appetizers and main dishes from the airline’s partnership menu with Golden Door Spa. Served atop linens and tableware, the impressive meals specifically created for these super-long flights are served course by course. The menu and beverage list (including mocktails, juices, and smoothies) are designed for passengers to choose between more rest or energy before arrival. Some are high in anti-inflammatory properties, while others are rich in free radicals and antioxidants.

Menu dishes include Hudson Valley-sourced trout with greens from the airline’s own aeroponic farm or a braised short rib with cornbread pudding. Flight attendants told me that Singaporean chicken rice is one of the most popular pre-order dishes.

Later in the flight, the mood lighting changes, even pulsing a bit at times. It’s all been thoughtfully designed to help ease jet lag as much as possible en route. The bathrooms are immaculate, and flight attendants typically clean them between passengers.

Singapore serves a meal after takeoff, but unlike most airlines, the second meal is mid-flight rather than before landing. It’s not a dine-on-demand service, like Qatar Airways, either. This is meant to follow peoples’ body clocks but may interrupt your sleep. Midway through the flight, the lights come on, and flight attendants (still as immaculate as after takeoff) present another multi-course meal service. The airline’s famous satay and peanut sauce arrived with great fanfare, which was enough to make me feel ok about having to get up in the middle of my sleep.

After that, there is no other formal meal service, but the crew can deliver a range of menu items like sandwiches, soups, and salads, at any time. Luckily, this presents another chunk of time for sleeping: On the 19-hour flight, I slept for 11 hours in varying intervals, in large thanks to the meticulous turn down with linens and pillows.

What I wish I had known before departure

Singapore Airlines has two flights a day from the New York area (JFK and Newark). Technically, the JFK flight is just a bit longer at two miles more than Newark (9,527 miles versus 9,525).

The Singapore flight from JFK leaves in the evening, which means you can eat and then sleep hours after takeoff without needing to reset your internal clock . About halfway through the flight, you can wake up and enjoy more food, movies, and drinks (or catch up on work). Since the flight is so long, you still have time for another several hours of sleep before landing in Singapore in the morning, with the whole day ahead of you.

When departing Newark, the flight leaves in the morning. This means the reverse is true: you’re up for at least the first half of the flight and then naturally ready to sleep after that. But because the Newark flight lands in the evening, you probably don't want to sleep much mid-flight if you hope to rest on arrival.

My tips? Ask before takeoff for the exact meal service timing to mentally prepare your own sleeping and eating timetable. Also, don’t forget about Singapore’s Book the Cook service which allows you to order your preferred dish before takeoff. You’ll be able to select from more than a dozen options, which is more than what is offered on board. Lobster Thermidor? Thai or Indian curry dishes? Laksa soup? It’s all on offer (including for premium economy passengers), but only if you choose in advance.

If you’re curious about the menu, the airline makes it available on the reservation page online about one week before departure. There’s also unlimited, free Wi-Fi for business-class passengers. If I had known, I wouldn’t have downloaded so much work in advance, but I was grateful for the option to stay productive.

If you are flying premium economy, you’ll want to choose one of the solo window seats at the very back of the plane, which has extra space due to the curvature of the aircraft. But act fast: there are only six. Luckily, in business class , all seats are in a 1-2-1 configuration with maximum privacy.

Some travellers will prefer making a stop somewhere rather than such a long flight, but Singapore Airlines has a highly sought-after product. On several days this summer, the cheapest roundtrip airfare was about $2,700 in premium economy and $6,600 in business class. But, don’t be surprised to see the premium cabin reach into the five-digit range on many dates of the year. On the longest flight in the world, many fliers may want to trade cash for decent rest and more time at their destination. After all, that’s the benefit of a nonstop ultra-long-haul flight.

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10 longest flights in the world

Several super long haul flights have been reinstated, but what are the longest flights in the world.

world longest travel flight

W ith Covid-related travel restrictions lifting around the world, super-long-haul flights, with journey times lasting upwards of 16 hours, are back in a big way. Some of the longest routes have been reinstated — such as Qantas’ direct flight between London and Perth in Australia — while new routes are being introduced, including a non-stop service from Auckland to New York with Air New Zealand from September. And in some cases, already lengthy routes have been extended due to the war in Ukraine , as airlines seek to avoid Russian and Ukrainian airspace.

With this in mind, here are some of the world’s longest flights, ranked by distances provided by FlightRadar24 .

Main photo: an Air New Zealand plane at Auckland Airport (Getty Images)

1. New York to Singapore: 15,349km

Singapore is one of the world’s most popular stopover destinations and its flagship carrier, Singapore Airlines, also operates several of the longest routes, including a service between Singapore Changi Airport and John F Kennedy International Airport in New York, spanning 15,349km.

The daily non-stop service, using an Airbus A350-900, has a scheduled time of 18 hours 50 minutes for the New York to Singapore leg (SQ23) and 18 hours 40 minutes for the return journey (SQ24).

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2. Newark to Singapore: 15,345km

Missing the top spot by a mere 4km is the flight between Singapore Changi Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, which has a distance of 15,345km. Although Newark is in New Jersey, the airport also serves New York due to its proximity to Manhattan.

The daily non-stop route is operated by Singapore Airlines using an Airbus A350-900, and has a scheduled time of 18 hours 45 minutes from Newark to Singapore (SQ21) and 18 hours 25 minutes for the return (SQ22).

• Best hotels in Singapore

Supertree Grove in Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay (Getty Images)

3. Perth to London: 14,498km

Paused for much of the pandemic, the direct flight between Perth in Western Australia and London was reinstated in May 2022, taking over from Darwin in the Northern Territory as the entry point to Australia. Connecting flights to other Australian states are available from Perth.

Qantas uses a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to operate this route, with the journey taking 17 hours and 15 minutes from Perth to London (QF9) and 16 hours and 45 minutes on the return (QF10).

• Everything you need to know about visiting Perth

4. Dallas/Fort Worth to Melbourne: 14,472km

Qantas’ super long haul ambitions continue with a new direct route connecting Melbourne in Victoria to Dallas/Fort Worth in the heart of the US. It’s due to launch on December 2, 2022. This is actually the second time the airline has operated the route — it previously served the two cities in 2011. This time round, the airline will be using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

The flight from Dallas to Melbourne is expected to take 17 hours and 25 minutes due to prevailing winds, and 15 hours and 45 minutes going the other way.

• Best things to do in Melbourne

5. New York to Auckland: 14,207km

Air New Zealand’s flagship service to New York will officially launch on September 17, 2022. The direct flight from Auckland will connect the two destinations for the first time and will span 14,207km. The flight from New York to New Zealand will take approximately 17 and a half hours while the journey back will take just over 16 hours. A Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will operate on both legs.

Qantas is planning to serve the same route from June 13, 2023, as part of a service between Sydney and New York.

• Best things to do in New Zealand

An Air New Zealand Dreamliner ready for departure at Auckland (Alamy)

6. Auckland to Dubai: 14,200km

Emirates is resuming its direct flights between Dubai and Auckland on December 1, 2022. At the moment, the airline serves the two destinations with a stop-over in Kuala Lumpur but it has decided that there’s enough demand to serve both destinations separately, and on an Airbus A380 no less.

The flight from Auckland to Dubai takes slightly longer at 17 hours and 10 minutes (EK449) while the same journey the other way takes 16 hours (EK448).

• Best all inclusive hotels in Dubai

7. Los Angeles to Singapore: 14,114km

Singapore Airlines’ third entry is a daily service between Singapore and Los Angeles . This service is also operated using an Airbus A350-900.

The distance between Singapore Changi Airport and Los Angeles International Airport is 14,114km, with the flight going over the North Pacific rather than the Atlantic. Based on current flight schedules, the LA to Singapore leg (SQ37) is 17 hours 10 minutes while the return leg (SQ38) is 15 hours 55 minutes.

• Best hotels in Los Angeles

Cycling at Venice Beach in Los Angeles (Getty Images)

8. Houston to Sydney: 13,834km

United Airlines is resuming its Houston to Sydney flight on October 28, 2022 — a route it last operated in 2020 before it was cancelled during the early days of the Covid pandemic. The non-stop flights will be operated using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

The Houston to Sydney flight (UA101) is significantly longer at 17 hour 35 minutes, while the return leg (UA100) is two hours shorter at 15 hour 35 minutes.

• Best things to do in Sydney

9. Dallas/Fort Worth to Sydney: 13,804km

Qantas wants to connect Sydney to New York as part of Project Sunrise but, for now, it has a direct flight between Sydney Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Texas. The distance is 13,804km and the airline operates the route daily using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

The outward journey from Dallas/Fort Worth to Sydney (QF8) takes 16 hours 45 minutes while the return leg (QF7) takes 15 hours 20 minutes.

• Best hotels in Sydney

Dallas viewed from above the clouds (Getty Images)

10. San Francisco to Singapore: 13,593km

The route between Singapore Changi Airport and San Francisco International Airport is served by two airlines.

Singapore Airlines flies daily, and has a scheduled journey time of 17 hours from San Francisco to Singapore (SQ33) and 15 hours 25 minutes for the return (SQ34), both using an Airbus A350-900. United Airlines flies several times a week, and has a scheduled journey time of 17 hours from San Francisco to Singapore (UA1) and 14 hours 50 minutes for the return (UA2), both on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

• How to beat jet lag • How to get cheap flights

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World's longest flights.

World's Longest Flights

"Are we there yet?" usually issues from the mouths of children. But aboard these 11 flights, even the adults pester flight attendants with such questions. U.S. News Travel sought out the most painstakingly long journeys in the sky. While some people measure length by mileage, we believe the flight's duration is much more important to travelers. After all, you only want to be stuck on a plane with strangers for so long.

The numerical data below was provided by each airline.

Cathay Pacific offers not one, not two, but three direct flights every day from New York 's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). Each Boeing 777 takes about 16 hours to reach its Asian destination. The flight's carrier, Cathay Pacific, is unfamiliar to most Americans, but it is one of the largest airlines in Asia and Hong Kong's official airline. As travel between Asia and North America steadily increases, look for an escalating number of Cathay Pacific planes in your local airport.

Jumping 16 hours ahead, travelers flying from Texas Ranch Country to the Australian Outback will probably experience some jet lag. Add to that 15 hours of airtime, and the trek could be downright painful. Luckily, Qantas pampers its passengers with ergonomic seats, personal on-demand entertainment sets, three meals, and complimentary wine. Upon request, customers can also receive "dopp kits" complete with a razor, toothbrush, deodorant, and other products to freshen up on board. When travelers get restless or hungry, they can take a short walk to the self-service snack bar, which is fully stocked with free goodies.

In May 2011, South African Airways began its nonstop service from Johannesburg, South Africa, to New York 's JFK airport. Operating once a day, an Airbus 340-600 shuttles more than 300 passengers around the globe. During their voyage, travelers receive two full meals, one snack, and complimentary beverages, including wine and spirits. In coach, the 2-4-2 seat configuration reduces the number of middle seats that regularly appear on planes with 3-3-3 arrangements. The seat-back entertainment screen comes with lots of programming as well as instructional videos for stretching during the flight.

Departing from NYC 's stepsister, travelers on United Flight 79 must sit tight for 16 hours before reaching their final destination. For frequent flyers, the commute from Newark to Hong Kong can be a rough one. International flights on U.S. carriers usually receive a bad rep. Small issues (like food quality and cramped seats) that are regularly overlooked on shorter flights balloon into big inconveniences during longer trips. American carriers also tend to receive lower customer satisfaction ratings on SkyTrax . For instance, United Airlines has a 4.1 out of 10 customer review score. Be sure to consider the onboard conditions before booking a lengthy flight on an American airline.

It takes four pilots and two separate flight crews to handle Delta Flight 200 from Atlanta , Ga., to Johannesburg, South Africa. The Boeing 777LR used to make this trip travels 8,433 miles between the two cities and consumes almost 40,000 gallons of fuel. Meanwhile, when it comes to needing sustenance, the plane isn't alone. On board this 16-hour-and-15-minute flight, passengers annually consume approximately 70,000 cans of soda, 100,000 bags of pretzels, 200,000 bags of peanuts, and a half-million pounds of ice. The two in-flight meals offer a taste of American and South African cuisine. For instance, one current entrée is a Lemon Spiced Kingklip, a type of fish native to South African waters.

Qatar Airways operates a marathon flight route between sunny Doha, Qatar, and humid Houston , Texas. Flying westward to the United States, the journey usually takes just over 16 hours. Economy passengers receive an amenity kit with an eye mask, toothbrush, and even socks to make them feel more at home. They can also follow the "Fly Healthy, Fly Fit" guide and perform some relaxation techniques onboard, such as deep breathing and stretching. While they're not sleeping or dining, travelers can view hundreds of films on their personal 10.6-inch TV screen.

From oil capital to oil capital, Emirates Airlines brings people from Dubai to Houston on a lengthy nonstop flight. Commonly called a luxury carrier, the airline prides itself on its service on and off the plane. Flight attendants conduct two meal services, while the "As You Like It" menu (which includes pizza, fruit, and chocolates) is available throughout the journey. Additionally, travelers can take advantage of the full complimentary bar to calm their nerves. On this 16-plus hour trek, there's plenty of time to try all of Emirates Airlines' offerings.

Emirates Airlines runs a flight between glamorous L.A. and even more opulent Dubai. On the massive Boeing 777-200LR, passengers can choose to spend the 16.5 hours in the 216-seat economy cabin, the 42-seat business class area (that features lie-flat seats), or the eight ultra-posh suites. Each cabin showcases Emirates' unique starlit ceiling that reflects the time of day at the destination. This lighting system helps combat symptoms of jet lag. However, the price you pay for your journey might give you a headache: An economy-class ticket runs between $1,800 and $2,400, while a first-class ride jumps into the $12,700 to $14,000 range.

Aside from having the most delicious food for economy travelers, Thai Airways operates one of the longest flights in the world, traveling from L.A. to Bangkok. Spanning 8,260 miles, the path of this Airbus A340-500 takes 17 hours and 30 minutes. Travelers appreciate the tasty onboard meals and congenial staff. In fact, Thai Airways receives SkyTrax's elite four-star rating, indicating a high level of customer satisfaction.

From Newark to Singapore, travelers aboard this 18-hour jaunt receive some much-needed pampering. For this long voyage, Singapore Airlines (SQ) employs an Airbus 340-500. Normally holding more than 300 passengers, SQ's luxury aircraft hosts only 100 seats. But to call them "seats" is really unfair; they're more like beds. Set in a 1-2-1 configuration (one at each window and two in the middle), the reclining chairs offer immediate access to the aisle. Should you be on this flight, you'll want to get up and move around, especially in the direction of the self-service snack bar. After all, you're on the longest flight in the world by distance.

Currently, Singapore Airlines operates the longest flight in the world by duration, racking up 18 hours and 30 minutes in the air in just one go. From Los Angeles to Singapore, a business-class only airplane shuttles 100 passengers halfway across the globe. Most people are surprised to learn that this trip takes longer than the airline's Newark-Singapore flight, which travels about 800 more miles. The Newark flight path across the North Pole subjects the aircraft to less wind resistance, allowing it to travel faster than the flight from L.A., which crosses the Pacific Ocean.

*These figures were taken from third-party sources, as the airline was unavailable for confirmation.

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The 15 Longest Flights in the World

Longest Flight Routes in the World

Every time you take an international flight, it may feel like the longest flight in the world. However, there are certain flights connecting far-flung parts of the world that really are record-breakers in terms of length. Here are the longest flights you can take in the world.

One of the miracles of modern aviation is that airplanes can now fly over vast oceans and continental landmasses without stopping to refuel. The result is flights connecting far-apart destinations, such as East Asia and the United States, Australia and the Middle East, that last upwards of 15 hours. 

Airlines are evolving their offerings to accommodate passengers on such long-haul flights with comfier seats and plenty of room even in economy class. However, taking any one of these flights is still a feat of endurance, especially if you are afraid of flying.

Some promotional flights, such as the “Project Sunrise” test flight from London to Sydney in 2019, were longer than the ones on this list. Other proposed routes, such as changes to the Hong Kong-New York flight that will avoid Russian airspace and a proposed flight from London to Sydney will be longer than these as well. However, this list focuses on current, commercially available flight routes ranked by great-circle distance.

Top 15 Shortest Flights in the World

15. manila to toronto (mnl-yyz).

Great circle distance: 13,230 km Flight time: 15 hours 30 minutes

Manila Toronto Satellite

The Philippine Airlines-operated flight from Manila to Toronto is one of the longest in the world no matter which metrics you use to measure it. According to great-circle distance, which is the shortest distance between two points on a sphere measured along the surface, the Manila to Toronto flight traverses 13,230 km and takes about 15 hours and 30 minutes.

The return flight now takes much longer because many North America-East Asia flights had to reroute to avoid Russian airspace due to the war (Previously, airplanes would fly over the Arctic Circle to shorten the distance, including over Russian Arctic territory.). Now, the Toronto to Manila flight is no longer direct because planes have to stop in Vancouver for refueling.  

There is a sizable community of Filipinos living and working in Canada, and many of the people taking this flight are members of this diaspora.

14. Hyderabad to Chicago/O’Hare (HYD-ORD)

Great circle distance: 13,301 km Flight time: 16 hours 45 minutes

Hyderabad to Chicago

One of the longest flights in the world is also one of the newest routes. Air India only began operating its direct flight to Chicago/O’Hare from Hyderabad in January 2021. The great circle distance is 13,301 kilometers, and the flight takes about 16 hours and 45 minutes .

There are a lot of similarities between Chicago and Hyderabad. Both cities are important hubs for the central regions of their country, Chicago being the largest city in the Midwest. Both cities have many connections onward to smaller cities in their region: Hyderabad offers connections to airports such as Chennai.

However, travelers wishing to take this flight will have to time their trip very carefully because the direct Hyderabad-Chicago/O’Hare flight only operates once a week on Fridays.

13. Perth to Rome/Fiumicino (PER-FCO)

Great circle distance: 13,354 km Flight time: 16 hours 25 minutes

Perth to Rome

Many of the world’s longest flights originate in or fly to Australia because it is one of the most isolated continents. However, advances in aviation technology can connect “Down Under” with new destinations. Qantas only operates one direct flight between Australia and continental Europe, and it’s a doozy: it takes 16 hours and 25 minutes and covers 13,354 km.

The flight actually starts in Sydney but stops in Perth, a city in Western Australia. Historically, Qantas flew to Europe using the “ Kangaroo Route ,” or flights with frequent stops or hops. Even with advances in airline technology, airplanes still need to stop in Western Australia to refuel and restock before heading onward to Europe instead of going directly from the east coast.

The flight may be long, but it’s about as comfortable as it can get thanks to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner which is adapted specifically for long-haul travel.

12. Doha to Los Angeles (DOH-LAX)

Great circle distance: 13,354 km Flight time: 16 hours

Doha to Los Angeles

The flight between Qatar’s Doha and Los Angeles links an important Middle Eastern hub for international travel with LAX, a hub for onward travel within the United States and the Americas. The flight spans 13,354 km in terms of great circle distance and takes a little over 16 hours.  

Many of the passengers flying to Los Angeles from Doha did not start their journeys in Qatar but flew in from other destinations in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Although the most common transit airport is still Dubai, Doha is climbing in the rankings. 

This is one of the longest-operating long-haul flights on the list since the flights started in 2016.

11. Jeddah to Los Angeles (JED-LAX)

Great circle distance: 13,409 km Flight time: 16 hours

Jeddah to Los Angeles

Jeddah to Los Angeles is another marathon flight connecting the West Coast of the United States with the Middle East. The flight from the Saudi Arabian city to Los Angeles covers 13,409 km and takes just over 16 hours. 

When it launched in 2014, this flight operated by Saudia was one of the longest flights to operate in the world using a Boeing 777. 

Most people think of airports such as Dubai and Doha as important connections, but Jeddah shouldn’t be overlooked. An examination of booking data found that many of the passengers taking this flight had started their journey in other cities in Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East. Jeddah is an important regional connection. 

10. Dubai to Los Angeles (DXB-LAX)

Great circle distance: 13,390 km Flight time: 16 hours 20 minutes

Dubai to Los Angeles

Rounding out the trio of Middle East-Los Angeles flights is the longest of the three, the flight from Dubai to the City of Angels. This flight spans a great-circle distance that is slightly longer than the flights from Jeddah or Doha, at 13,390 kilometers , and takes about 16 hours and 20 minutes.

The flight is operated by Emirates, which uses Dubai International Airport as one of its most important hubs. 

Emirates has a reputation as one of the most comfortable airlines, and its long-haul flight to Los Angeles is no different. Passengers have glowing reviews, even for the experience in economy class.

9. Johannesburg to Atlanta (JNB-ATL)

Great circle distance: 13,573 km Flight time: 16 hours 20 minutes

Johannesburg to Atlanta

The 9 th -longest flight in the world connects the busiest airport in North America and the planet with the busiest airport in Africa. The flight from Johannesburg to Atlanta takes about 16 hours and 20 minutes and spans 13,573 kilometers .

As with many international routes, these flights were paused due to COVID-19, but Delta brought back flights along this route in 2021.

Passengers wanting to head directly to Johannesburg can fly out three times a week.

8. San Francisco to Singapore (SFO-SIN)

Great circle distance: 13,593 km Flight time: 17 hours

San Francisco to Singapore

The city-state of Singapore, an important business destination in its own right, is also an important hub for onward travel to the rest of Asia. That is why the direct flight from San Francisco to Singapore is so important. The flight spans 8,447 miles or 13,593 kilometers and takes over 17 hours.

Singapore Airlines flies out of San Francisco using the Airbus A350, a plane that claims to combat jet lag using technology such as comfortable seating and natural-seeming lighting. After 17 hours of travel, passengers will certainly need it!

This route is actually operated by two airlines because United offers its own service to Singapore.

7. Manila to New York JFK (MNL-JFK)

Great circle distance: 13,712 km Flight time: 16 hours

Manila to New York JFK

Manila is the surprising origin point of many of the world’s longest flights because the Philippines is often unjustly overlooked as an aviation powerhouse. The Manila to New York flight is even longer than the Manila to Toronto flight, covering 13,712 kilometers and taking over 16 hours .

New York is also home to a sizable Filipino diaspora community, making this a smart flight route to have.

Like the Toronto to Manila flight, the New York to Manila flight now stops in Vancouver to refuel since Philippine Airlines has to avoid Russian airspace.

6. Dallas/Fort Worth to Sydney (DFW-SYD)

Great circle distance: 13,804 km Flight time: 17 hours 20 minutes

Dallas Fort Worth to Sydney

There are very few direct flights connecting North America to Australia and Dallas/Fort Worth is lucky to have one of them. The flight spans 13,804 kilometers in great circle distance and takes about 17 hours and 20 minutes to complete.

Qantas used to operate another direct route to Australia out of Texas, one flying out of Houston that was slightly longer, but that route has been paused due to pandemic restrictions.

The flight from Dallas to Australia is a long-established route, although previously planes stopped in Brisbane. Thanks to the introduction of the Airbus A380, Qantas can now make the longer direct flight. That hasn’t stopped Qantas from dreaming bigger, and the airline says that it eventually hopes to connect New York with Sydney with a direct flight.

5. San Francisco to Bangalore (SFO-BLR)

Great circle distance: 14,004 km Flight time: 18 hours

San Francisco to Bangalore

The San Francisco to Bangalore flight operated by Air India takes almost 18 hours which makes sense because there is a lot of distance to cover—the great-circle distance is 14,004 kilometers.

There is some confusion about the current state of the service: while some say that you can hop on this direct flight once a week, others say that the service won’t fully launch until the fall of 2022. The official announcement of the route happened in January 2021 , alongside the announcement of the route to Chicago.  

Air India uses the Boeing 777-200LR plane to cover this route, which makes sense because Boeing designed that model specifically for long-haul flights. The first flight between the two cities was designed to be socially conscious as Air India chose an all-woman crew. A great choice for connecting two cities known for their tech industries and cutting-edge culture!

4. Los Angeles to Singapore (LAX-SIN)

Great circle distance: 14,114 km Flight time: 17 hours

Los Angeles to Singapore

People traveling from Los Angeles to Singapore had better bring plenty of reading material: the flight connecting the two cities is one of the longest in the world. The flight covers 14,114 kilometers, mostly flying over the North Pacific, and takes a little over 17 hours.

This route is operated by Singapore Airlines, the undisputed leader in terms of long-haul flights on this list. The airline uses an Airbus A350-900 for this route. This is one of Airbus’s most modern planes with features such as advanced air filtration, in-flight Internet, and ambient lighting.

The Los Angeles to Singapore route used to be the longest flight in the world, but as you will see when you reach the end of this list, Singapore Airlines’ main competition is itself.

3. Perth to London (PER-LHR)

Great circle distance: 14,498 km Flight time: 17 hours

Perth to London

Australians wanting to fly to Europe have a real treat now—if they have the patience for it—Qantas operates direct flights from the western Australian city of Perth to London. The flight covers 14,498 kilometers and takes just over 17 hours. 

The Perth to London flight requires stamina and plenty of compression socks, but it’s a far cry from what flights looked like when Qantas started its European service: back in 1935, passengers traveled for 12 days and stopped 31 times!

During the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, what flights remained operated out of Darwin instead of Perth due to Western Australia’s stringent restrictions.

2. New York Newark to Singapore (EWR-SIN)

Great circle distance: 15,344 km Flight time: 18 hours 45 minutes

New York Newark to Singapore

Singapore Airlines operates the two longest flights in the world. The second-longest is the flight from Newark Liberty Airport, which serves New York City, although it is technically in New Jersey, to Singapore. This flight spans 15,344 kilometers and takes 18 hours and 45 minutes . 

The flight to Newark was actually Singapore Airlines’ first route flying to New York City. It later added the JFK route and canceled this route, brought it back then suspended it again during the pandemic, only to triumphantly return in 2022 with service to both New York airports. 

Right now, passengers from Singapore can choose from three flights a day to airports in the New York area.

1. New York JFK to Singapore (JFK-SIN)

Great circle distance: 15,349 km Flight time: 18 hours 50 minutes

New York City Manhattan downtown skyline

The flight from New York JFK to Singapore beats out its Newark counterpart for the title of the longest flight in the world by five kilometers and five minutes. The 15,349-kilometer flight takes 18 hours and 50 minutes. 

Singapore Airlines added the JFK route to its existing flight to Newark to better serve passengers living in the New York metro area and to transport cargo. It’s unclear how long this Singapore Airlines flight will hold on to the title as Cathay Pacific is planning changes to its Hong Kong-London route and Qantas wants to add a direct flight from Sydney to London. For now, this is the longest direct flight in the world.

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world longest travel flight

19 Hours In The Sky: What To Expect On The World’s Longest Flight

From Singapore to New York City, Singapore Airlines's 19-hour adventure is the world's longest continuous flight to date.

Madeline Holly-Carothers • Mar 11, 2024

world longest travel flight

Lots of travelers choose overnights for long-haul flights , under the notion they can sleep most – if not all – of the journey. However, sleeping plans might not be enough to fill the time on Singapore Airlines’s Singapore to New York City flight.

The Star Alliance member airline has one of the most famous routes in the sky, and at just under 19 hours, Singapore Airlines boasts the world’s longest flight. With five cabins, multiple meal services, and more onboard, the world’s longest flight is unlike any other.

Cabin Selections

The 19-hour flight, from Changi International Airport in Singapore to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, offers five cabins for passengers to choose from: economy, premium economy, business class, first class, and Singapore’s signature suites.

Economy is the lowest-cost option on the plane, while premium economy offers more space and more reclining. Business class offers lie-flat seats with additional privacy in mini pod-style seats, while first class offers larger pod-style seats and even more space. A suite, on the other hand, is just the way it sounds: a fully private room-like space with a chair, television, space to move around, and a bed. Prices for the flight range from a few hundred dollars in economy class to upwards of $10,000 or more for a suite. 

Meal Service

Singapore Airlines is well-known for its meal service and in-flight food. According to the airline’s website, each cabin receives multiple meals, including lunch, dinner, and one – or more, depending on the cabin – “light bites” known as delectables. 

For example, on one flight in premium economy, lunch includes a salad with smoked chicken, an appetizer with a choice of grilled chicken, seafood rice noodles, or paneer as the main course, alongside a roll and ice cream for dessert. The premium cabin includes two light-bite meals, like a roasted chicken sandwich, assorted muffins, flavored popcorn, or cheese pizza. Dinner in the cabin consists of a prawn salad appetizer with fish fillet, grilled fish cake, or a veggie entree as the main course. A mango dessert follows it. 

In-flight amenities

Each passenger on the world’s longest flight, regardless of cabin, can access free Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment on the seat-back screens. Seatbacks include games, seat-to-seat messaging, music, television shows, films, and more.

Passengers also receive amenity kits that include a sleeping mask, skincare, and other products based on cabin selection. Business, first, and suite cabins can also receive pajamas and slippers during the flight.

Passengers may also move about their selected cabin during the flight to stretch their legs — as long as the “seatbelt sign” is off.

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The World's Longest Flights Are Operating Again

By Jessica Puckett

Aerial view of Canareef Resort Maldives Herathera island Addu atoll

Although the COVID-19 virus is still spiking in many regions, interest in international air travel is starting to grow again—even from vacationers in the U.S. The emerging demand from fliers is helping some of the top airlines relaunch the longest flights in the world.

Bringing back these ultra-long-haul flights requires a tightrope walk from airlines. Assessing demand, working with travel restrictions , and adding more money-making services like cargo, are just some of the steps necessary to get these routes up and running for passengers again.

Most recently, Singapore Airlines announced plans to relaunch its longest flight , which is the current record holder for longest flight in the world: a route from New York City to Singapore’s Changi Airport. The 9,357-mile route will ferry passengers three times per week out of New York’s JFK Airport when it resumes on November 9. (Previously, the daily route departed from New Jersey’s Newark Airport.)

“Operating to JFK International Airport would allow Singapore Airlines to better accommodate a mix of passenger and cargo traffic on its services to New York in the current operating climate,” the airline said in a statement. The resumed flight will also “be supported by the growing number of transfer passengers who can now transit via Singapore’s Changi Airport ,” according to the carrier.

“It’s a route that we are very happy to reinstate,” says Joey Seow, Singapore Airlines’ vice president for the Americas. “It shows that there are green shoots of recovery in the market.”

Singaporean officials have also negotiated travel bubbles with destinations like Hong Kong and the Maldives, which will likely bode well for the carrier’s demand. “Hopefully once some templates are done, they can be replicated quite quickly. So we hope more of these can be done in a short time,” Seow says.

Just as transit passengers are helping to bolster Singapore’s longest flight, they are also proving important to another long-haul carrier’s recovery: Emirates. The airline’s home airport in Dubai recently relaxed its testing requirements for fliers making connections—they now only need a negative test if their final destination requires it.

“The good thing is we’re seeing restrictions lifted in certain places, if not restrictions lifted then protocols in place that are enabling travel,” says Andrew Bunn, Emirates’ vice president of sales for North America.

Emirates’ longest flight, from Dubai to Auckland, New Zealand , is scheduled to make a return in January 2021. Additionally the airline is currently operating 27 weekly flights from six cities in the U.S., including daily flights from JFK. Most of the routes are supplemented with income from Emirates’ cargo operations.

“Cargo has been a very important part of what we’re doing in getting up to 100 destinations in the world,” Bunn says. “All sorts of essential cargo being carried in terms of medicines and personal protective equipment and machinery. It’s no doubt been an important part of what we’re doing, and we’re very proud of our cargo operations.”

The carrier has also brought back its famous business-class shower spa and onboard bar on its A380 planes, as well as reinstated first-class chauffeur service—all with new COVID-19 protocols—which is no doubt a draw for travelers again.

Driving the majority of the airline’s traffic are fliers visiting friends and relatives, according to Bunn, but Emirates is also seeing a spike in demand from vacationers. “There is still travel out there for tourism,” he says. “From the U.S. into Dubai, or into the Indian Ocean —there are tourism opportunities.”

Dubai Marina skyline

Dubai is an increasingly important leisure destination for Emirates.

One important region so far for tourism has been large swaths of Africa. “Africa’s very important from the U.S. perspective and relatively restriction-free,” Bunn says. “So that’s a very good opportunity for us. As Africa opens up , people are looking to travel.”

Likewise, Gulf-based carrier Qatar Airways has been seeing similar upticks in vacation travel, even from the U.S. “Potentially most surprising is we’re doing a very good business to some real leisure destinations,” says Eric Odone, Qatar Airways’ senior vice president for Western region. “For example, we are the biggest carriers between the U.S. and the Maldives at the moment. So we’re talking proper leisure. We’re doing huge business to East Africa—both Kenya and Tanzania , a lot of safaris , a lot of demand there as well.”

Qatar Airways’ longest flight, from Doha to Auckland, is restarting by the end of the year, but with an added stop in Brisbane, Australia . The airline is currently flying 100 destinations, and its goal is to grow its network to 124 gateways before 2021. Also launching by the end of the year: a new 15-hour nonstop between San Francisco and Doha.

“We wanted to introduce that route for a while, and we were waiting for the right time,” Odone says. “It sort of is the right time because not many long-haul carriers are currently operating out of SFO, and there is demand,” he says. “We’ve seen, actually, a fair amount of traffic. So we thought, why not?”

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The 10 longest routes in the world flown by airlines, ranked by distance

  • Singapore Airlines currently holds the title for operating the world's two longest flights at over 9,500 miles each.
  • The pandemic forced some one-off long-haul records, like Air Tahiti Nui's 9,765-mile trek from Papeete to Paris.
  • Air New Zealand recently joined the ranks when it launched its new 8,828-mile route between New York and Auckland.

Insider Today

During the pandemic, airlines worldwide were forced to pause dozens of long-haul routes due to border restrictions and low international demand.

This meant ultra-long-haul routes, like Qantas' Perth to London service and Delta Air Lines' Atlanta to Johannesburg flight, were suspended. However, since COVID-era restrictions have lifted in most nations, carriers are once again ferrying passengers on flights 15+ hours on routes stretching nearly 10,000 miles.

Historically, Singapore Airlines held the title for the world's longest flight , which traveled a whopping 9,534 miles nonstop between Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and Singapore.

Although the nonstop Newark route was restored in March 2022, Singapore actually returned to New York City in November 2020 but instead flew to John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The carrier said the decision was made "to better accommodate a mix of passenger and cargo traffic on its services to New York in the current operating climate." The route became the new world's longest flight by just two nautical miles over Newark and still holds the record, according to aviation data analytics firm Official Airline Guide (OAG)

Today, Singapore flies to both New York-JFK and Newark and has made efforts to ensure the journey is comfortable. Specifically, the airline has installed luxurious business and premium economy seats onboard and created a "wellness" menu that has "farm-to-plane" meals to help with things like indigestion.

The latest airline to make the list is Air New Zealand, which flew a nearly 18-hour flight from New York to Auckland on September 17 . The route between the two cities stretches 8,828 miles, becoming the world's new fourth-longest flight and kicking Saudia's flight between Jeddah and Los Angeles to number 11.

With airlines reinstating and introducing new long-haul flying, the list of the world's 10 longest flights has changed over the years. The outlined routes are excruciatingly long, varying from 15 hours to nearly 19 hours.

Take a closer look at the world's top 10 longest flights by distance as of August 2022:

10. From Dubai to Los Angeles

Airline: Emirates

Aircraft: Airbus A380

Distance: 8,324 miles

Outbound Scheduled Flight Time: 15 hours and 50 minutes

Return Scheduled Flight Time: 16 hours and 20 minutes

9. From Atlanta to Johannesburg

Airline: Delta Air Lines

Aircraft: Airbus A350-900

Distance: 8,434 miles

Outbound Scheduled Flight Time: 15 hours and 30 minutes

Return Scheduled Flight Time: 15 hours and 50 minutes

8. From San Francisco to Singapore

Airlines: United Airlines and Singapore Airlines

Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (United) | Airbus A350-900 (Singapore)

Distance: 8,435 miles

Outbound Scheduled Flight Time: 16 hours and 15 minutes (United) | 16 hours and 40 minutes (Singapore)

Return Scheduled Flight Time: 15 hours and 25 minutes (United) | 15 hours and 25 minutes (Singapore)

7. From Manila to New York

Airline: Philippine Airlines

Distance: 8,507 miles

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Outbound Scheduled Flight Time: 16 hours and 15 minutes

Return Scheduled Flight Time: 16 hours and 55 minutes

6. From Sydney to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

Airline: Qantas

Aircraft: Boeing 787-9

Distance: 8,576 miles

Outbound Scheduled Flight Time: 15 hours and 20 minutes

Return Scheduled Flight Time: 16 hours and 45 minutes

5. From Singapore to Los Angeles

Airline: Singapore Airlines

Outbound Scheduled Flight Time: 15 hours and 55 minutes

Return Scheduled Flight Time: 17 hours and 10 minutes

4. From Auckland to New York

Airline: Air New Zealand

Distance: 8,828 miles

Outbound Scheduled Flight Time: 17 hours and 35 minutes

Return Scheduled Flight Time: 16 hours and 15 minutes

3. From Perth to London Heathrow

Distance: 9,009 miles

Outbound Scheduled Flight Time: 17 hours and 15 minutes

2. From Newark, New Jersey to Singapore

Distance: 9,525 miles

Outbound Scheduled Flight Time: 18 hours and 45 minutes

Return Scheduled Flight Time: 18 hours and 25 minutes

1. From New York to Singapore

Distance: 9,527 miles

Outbound Scheduled Flight Time: 18 hours and 50 minutes

Return Scheduled Flight Time: 18 hours and 40 minutes

world longest travel flight

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world longest travel flight

The World's Longest Boeing 737 MAX Routes

T he Boeing 737 is one of the most popular aircraft families in commercial aviation. Since the American manufacturer decided to create a new generation of 737s, the MAX family, many orders have been placed for the narrowbodies. Though the planes have had several problems, customers continue to trust Boeing, like American Airlines, which added MAX 10s to its order book earlier this week.

American Airlines Confirms Order for 260 Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer Aircraft

According to Boeing's website, the MAX family has a maximum range between 3,100 and 3,800 nautical miles, or 3,567-4,372 miles, depending on the variant. Only two variants have been certified and are in active operations so far, the MAX 8 and 9. Cirium data shows that the longest MAX 8 route in the world covers 3,864 miles, nearly hitting the maximum range of 4,027 miles. The longest MAX 9 flight covers 3,384 miles, nearly 400 miles shorter than the maximum range of 3,797 miles.

This month, the longest Boeing 737 MAX route in the world is the MAX 8 route mentioned above, flown by TUIfly Nordic. The 3,864 miles are flown between Helsinki Airport in Finland and Aristides Pereira International Airport in Boa Vista, Cabo Verde. According to data, TUIfly has just one flight scheduled this month. The second-longest route is also flown by TUIfly to Cabo Verde. The flight from Helsinki to Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID) on Sal Island is only 36 miles shorter than to Boa Vista.

Brazilian carrier GOL, which has entered the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy process in the United States, has the third-longest route. One of several airlines worldwide that only operate Boeing 737 aircraft, GOL uses its fleet of MAX 8s to connect Brazil to the US. Its route from Aeroporto Internacional de Brasília – Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek to Orlando International Airport is 3,778 miles long.

Young Dominican carrier Arajet, which operates a small fleet of MAX 8s, has the number four spot this month. Priding itself on connecting the Americas via its hub at Aeropuerto Internacional Las Américas (SDQ), the young airline is already reaching destinations near and far, like São Paulo, Cancun, and Buenos Aires. The flight from SDQ to Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarini (EZE), commonly called Ezeiza, is 3,734 miles.

Rounding out the top five is another TUIfly Nordic route from Stockholm. The flight from Stockholm Arlanda Airport to Boa Vista is 3,636 miles long. According to data, just one weekly flight is scheduled on the route this month.

Number six is interesting as it was launched less than a year ago and is the first MAX route flown by this airline . Virgin Australia has nonstop service from Cairns Airport to Haneda International Airport in Tokyo and connects the two daily. The flight from Cairns to Haneda is 3,627 miles.

Below is a table with the ten longest routes this month:

The World's Longest Boeing 737 MAX Routes

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MH370 Disappeared a Decade Ago. Here’s What We Know Today.

The disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines flight has remained one of the greatest aviation mysteries of all time. A new search may begin soon.

People lighting candles in the middle of a shopping mall.

By Derrick Bryson Taylor

On March 8, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 was heading from Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital, to Beijing, when it deviated from its scheduled path, turning west across the Malay Peninsula.

The plane, a Boeing 777 carrying 239 people from 15 countries, is believed to have veered off course and flown south for several hours after radar contact was lost. Some officials believe it may have crashed somewhere in the southern Indian Ocean after running out of fuel, but expansive search efforts over years have returned no answers, no victims, and no plane.

The reason the plane went off course and its exact location today remains one of the greatest aviation mysteries of all time. This week, officials suggested a renewed search operation might be undertaken.

Here’s a brief look at what we know about the plane’s disappearance 10 years later.

Investigators searched by air and sea.

The first phase of the search lasted 52 days and was conducted largely from the air, covering 1.7 million square miles and involving 334 search flights.

In January 2017, the governments of Australia, Malaysia and China officially called off the underwater search for the plane after combing more than 46,000 square miles of the Indian Ocean floor. That effort cost $150 million.

The following January, the Malaysian government began another search in partnership with Ocean Infinity after receiving pressure from families of the missing passengers and crew. After a few months, the search effort led by Ocean Infinity ended, having found no evidence of the plane’s whereabouts.

Was any debris ever found?

While a wrecked plane was never found, about 20 pieces of debris believed to be from the plane were located along the coasts of the African mainland and on the islands of Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion and Rodrigues.

In summer 2015, investigators determined that a large object that washed up on the shore of Réunion , a French island in the Indian Ocean, was a flaperon that had come from a Boeing 777, making it likely that it was debris from Flight 370.

Another piece of debris, a triangular piece of fiberglass composite and aluminum with the words “No Step” written on its side, was found in February 2016 on an uninhabited sandbank along the coast of Mozambique.

Then, the Australian government confirmed in September 2016 that a wing flap that had washed onto a Tanzanian island was from Flight 370. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau matched its identifying numbers to those of the missing Boeing 777.

What are the theories around the plane’s disappearance?

There are a multitude of theories, ranging from the bizarre to the provocative, about what caused the plane to disappear. In fact, there are too many to name here. The lack of information about what happened to the flight led the public and investigators in several directions.

Some officials believe that the plane ran out of fuel , and one theory holds that the pilots tried to make an emergency landing at sea. Others suggest that one or both pilots lost control of the aircraft, that one was a rogue pilot, or that the plane was hijacked.

What did the official government report say?

After more than four years of searches and investigations, a 495-page report released in 2018 gave no conclusive answers as to the fate of the airliner. The lack of concrete answers devastated families of the victims, who had been hoping for some closure.

Kok Soo Chon, the head of the safety investigation team, said the available evidence — including the plane’s manual deviation from its flight course and the switching off of a transponder — “irresistibly point” to “unlawful interference,” which might suggest the plane was hijacked. But there was no evidence of who might have interfered, or why.

The report also closely examined all passengers and the pilot, Zaharie Ahmad Shah, and the first officer, Fariq Abdul Hamid. The report looked into the men’s financial statuses, health, tone of voice on radio communications and even their gait as they walked to work that day. No abnormalities were detected.

What happens next?

Now, a decade after the plane’s disappearance with no concrete answers or plane found, a new search could soon be underway.

Malaysian officials said in a statement this week that the government was ready to discuss a new search operation after being approached by Ocean Infinity.

Oliver Plunkett, the chief executive of Ocean Infinity, said in a statement that the company was now in a position to search again about six years after its previous effort returned no answers.

“This search is arguably the most challenging, and indeed pertinent one out there,” he said. “We’ve been working with many experts, some outside of Ocean Infinity, to continue analyzing the data in the hope of narrowing the search area down to one in which success becomes potentially achievable.”

Derrick Bryson Taylor is a general assignment reporter. He previously worked at The New York Post’s PageSix.com and Essence magazine. More about Derrick Bryson Taylor

Simple Flying

The longest routes from panama city's aeropuerto internacional de tocumen.

A 6,730-mile service to Europe takes the number one spot.

  • Istanbul is Panama's furthest European connection, covering 6,730 miles, with Turkish Airlines offering 12 weekly flights.
  • KLM connects Panama City to Amsterdam with a 5,480-mile-long daily service onboard a 787 Dreamliner or 777-300ER.
  • Copa Airlines operates the longest North and South American routes, showcasing the Panama flag carrier's expansive network.

Panama's main airport is Tocumen International Airport (PTY), located around 20km from the capital, Panama City. As the base of flag carrier Copa Airlines, Tocumen Airport serves over 90 destinations across approximately 40 countries. The majority of PTY's network encompasses the Americas and the Caribbean, but its longest routes are inevitably its European connections.

1 Istanbul (IST)

The longest air route from Panama is all the way to Istanbul on the eastern edge of Europe. Turkish Airlines - which serves the most countries of any carrier globally - operates 12 weekly flights between PTY and Istanbul Airport, a route that clocks in at 6,730 miles with a block time of 12 hours and 40 minutes. It first launched this route back in February 2016 with a thrice-weekly service involving a stopover in Bogotá (BOG).

TK deploys its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet on this route, which can seat up to 300 passengers in a two-class layout, with 30 in business and 270 in economy. Istanbul is the furthest from Panama City by a considerable distance at over 1,200 miles longer than the next entry.

Book flights from Panama to Istanbul

2 Amsterdam (AMS)

Dutch flag carrier KLM connects Panama City to its capital city, Amsterdam, with a daily service. This route is 5,480 miles long and flights take over ten hours onboard a KLM 787-10 Dreamliner or 777-300ER. KLM has been flying to Panama for over 15 years having inaugurated this route in 2008.

Find tickets from Panama to Amsterdam

3 Paris (CDG)

Air France operates a five-times-weekly service from Charles de Gaulle Airport, Europe's third-busiest airport, which offers onward connections to over 300 destinations globally. The airline's Boeing 777 fleet flies this 5,384-mile route, although Cirium data shows a switch to the 787 Dreamliner in April.

4 Madrid (MAD)

Madrid Airport is the fourth-longest destination from Panama, and the first on this list to be served by multiple carriers. Spanish airlines Air Europa and Iberia both fly this 5,073-mile route to offer a total of 10 weekly flights - Air Europa flies every day of the week bar Saturdays, while Iberia operates four weekly services.

Find flights from Panama to Madrid

5 Montevideo (MVD)

Copa Airlines makes its first appearance on this list and dominates it from here on out. At 3,384 miles long, the three daily flights between Panama and Montevideo, Uruguay, are the longest route operated by Panama's flag carrier, which utilizes its Boeing 737 MAX fleet.

6 San Francisco (SFO)

San Francisco is also served solely by Copa Airlines, which operates 11 weekly flights to the Californian city. This route measures 3,320 miles with a block time of seven hours and 20 minutes. The airline is closing in on nine years of serving San Francisco after launching flights in September 2015. Flights to neighboring Los Angeles (LAX) narrowly miss out on this Top 10 list at 3,010 miles.

Connecting North & South With Copa's Hub Of The Americas

Book flights from Panama to San Francisco

7 Buenos Aires (EZE)

Copa Airlines' high-frequency service to Argentina's capital Buenos Aires - four daily flights with its Boeing 737 aircraft - comes in at number seven at 3,312 miles long. Flights are between seven and eight hours, with the Panamanian airline offering a total of 9,288 weekly seats. This route clocks in at 3,312, falling just short of SFO.

8 Rio de Janeiro (GIG)

Rio de Janeiro makes number eight, measuring in at 3,285 miles. Once again, Copa Airlines is the only airline on this route, operating a double-daily to the coastal city with its MAX 9 jets.

9 Porto Alegre (POA)

The second Brazilian destination on the list, Porto Alegre, is almost the same distance as Rio at 3,276 miles and is served with four weekly flights by Copa.

Discover more aviation news with Simple Flying.

10 São Paulo (GRU)

Making up the Top 10 list is São Paulo, which sees an impressive five daily flights from Panama. Copa deploys its new MAX 9 fleet on this route, which is 3,154 miles long.

Have you ever flown on one of these routes to Panama City? Let us know your stories in the comments.

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SpaceX's mega rocket Starship launches for it's third test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, Thursday, March 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

SpaceX’s Starship destroyed on return to Earth at end of third test flight

Spacecraft’s cruise vessel flew around globe for first time, but lost contact in final stages before planned splashdown

SpaceX’s Starship, the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, was destroyed during its return to Earth after nearly completing its third test flight.

The 120-metre system, which weighs about 5,000 tonnes when fully fuelled, took off from SpaceX’s spaceport, named Starbase, on the Gulf of Mexico in Boca Chica, Texas. SpaceX aims to use the spacecraft to one day carry astronauts to the moon and Mars.

For the first time, the spacecraft’s cruise vessel flew around the globe, but contact was lost during the final stages of the test, just as it re-entered the atmosphere .

SpaceX never intended to recover the ship, which was nearing a planned entry into the Indian Ocean minutes later. It presumably either burned up or came apart during re-entry.

“The ship has been lost. So no splashdown today,” said SpaceX’s Dan Huot. “But again, it’s incredible to see how much further we got this time around.”

Elon Musk, SpaceX’s billionaire founder, said on X, his social media platform: “SpaceX has come a long way.”

Two previous attempts ended in the explosion of both the spacecraft’s 33-engine booster, nicknamed Super Heavy, and the cruise vessel, which is designed to eventually carry up to 100 astronauts. Stacked together, they stand at 10 metres taller than the Saturn V rocket that sent humans to the moon in 1969.

The first Starship launch attempt lasted four minutes and the second lasted eight, with the latter reaching space . The third lasted more than 50 minutes.

SpaceX is much more tolerant of risk than Nasa and has a flight-testing strategy that aims to frequently push its spacecraft prototypes to the limit and beyond. The company says frequent flight testing will provide valuable data that will help it design and develop a more robust rocket.

“Each of these flight tests continue to be just that: a test,” SpaceX said in a statement before the third launch attempt, in an apparent attempt to manage expectations in case the system exploded. “They aren’t occurring in a lab or on a test stand, but are putting flight hardware in a flight environment to maximise learning.”

The third flight conducted several tests, including opening a payload door and making an internal fuel transfer while in space.

Both the upper and lower segments of Starship are designed to eventually power themselves safely back to Earth for a soft landing so that they can be reused, which will be significantly cheaper than building entirely new parts for each mission.

Musk hopes Starship will be the first step on a human journey further into space that ever before. He says he developed Starship, previously named the BFR (heavily hinted to mean “big fucking rocket”), so that humans can eventually become a “multiplanetary species”. To do this, Musk intends to begin the colonisation of Mars so that humanity can survive a planet-destroying event on Earth, such as a sentient AI takeover or asteroid strike.

Nasa has contracted SpaceX to land astronauts, including the first woman, on the moon as soon as 2026, although that date is likely to be pushed back. Several other Starship systems are already in production for future tests.

Nasa’s chief, Bill Nelson, congratulated SpaceX on what he called “a successful test flight” in a statement posted on X.

Despite the outcome of Thursday’s test, all indications are that Starship remains a considerable distance from becoming fully operational.

Musk has said the rocket should fly hundreds of uncrewed missions before carrying its first humans.

Musk had previously said the total development cost of Starship could be between $2bn and $10bn. Each launch is estimated to cost tens of millions of dollars.

The company makes money by operating smaller rockets to launch satellites as well as sending astronauts to the International Space Station. It has announced longer-term plans to use the spacecraft as a shuttle for commercial travel on Earth, promising trips from London to Tokyo in less than an hour.

AFP and the Associated Press contributed to this report

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  • Nation & World

US plans flights out of Haiti. But some can’t make it to the plane.

  • Tribune News Service

The U.S. government is arranging a charter flight to help U.S. citizens evacuate Haiti, where armed groups have once more breached the main seaport in Port-au-Prince and police on Saturday were carrying out an operation in the stronghold of a well-known gang leader who has been threatening civil war amid a wave of violent attacks.

The arrangement for the charter flight comes amid increased panic and fear after the private residence of the country’s police chief was set ablaze just hours after armed groups fired shots across the runway at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport in the direction of the police headquarters.

The voluntary evacuations, which are not being done by the U.S. embassy, will occur out of Cap-Haïtien’s Hugo Chavez International Airport. Unlike Haiti’s gang-ridden capital, the northern port has been relatively calm. Still, like Toussaint Louverture International Airport in the capital, Cap-Haïtien’s runway has not seen any commercial air traffic since major U.S. carriers and other international airlines suspended service to the Caribbean country on March 4, citing the ongoing civil unrest. Domestic service was also suspended in Haiti after armed gangs breached the perimeter of both the national and international airports.

At least one flight, on a plane with 166 seats, is scheduled to leave Sunday, a source in Haiti confirmed to the Miami Herald.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the State Department said the flight is for U.S. citizens with valid U.S. passports. Americans are also warned that “travel to Cap-Haïtien is conducted at your own risk.”

But getting to Cap-Haïtien is no easy matter, leaving some Americans trapped on the island.

“From Port-au-Prince, there is no way that you can safely travel to Cap-Haïtien,” said Andy Faller, who has been stuck in Haiti with his wife and their 6- and 7-year-old adopted children. “We are stuck here.”

Faller said that even though they’re done with their adoption after seven years, they cannot safely get to the U.S. embassy to process the paperwork. Located in Tabarre, the embassy is in the crosshairs of several violent gangs that have been looting nearby businesses.

All of the roads heading north out of the capital are under the control of armed groups. Taking such a risk could lead to getting kidnapped and held for ransom — or worse, being killed.

Faced with few options, Haitians have been forced to shelter in place. Those living near the border with the Dominican Republic have attempted to cross, but the neighboring government is not accepting anyone with Haitian passports, several people who have attempted to flee said.

Others with deep pockets are attempting to leave by helicopters, but even that isn’t guaranteed. Though several companies offering the service told the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald that charter prices range from $10,000 to $15,000 , operators also acknowledge that costs could run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Several people in Haiti said they’ve been quoted prices as high as $80,000.

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It is not unusual for the State Department to coordinate flights for stranded U.S. citizens in countries where conflict or war has made it difficult or impossible for people to get out. How many Americans will avail themselves of the flight remains unclear.

On its travel.gov website, the State Department said the flight is available for U.S. citizens and their extended families. Americans are asked to fill out a crisis intake form at travel.state.gov

Haiti has had a Level 4 — Do Not Travel — warning from the State Department for quite some time. Still, there are a number of U.S. citizens in the country, some of whom have been stuck waiting for the completion of adoptions, for example. Unlike after the 2010 earthquake, when both the Haitian government and the State Department made exceptions for those families, this has not been the case this time, leaving families to decide whether to stay with their children or leave them behind.

Faller, who is from Texas, recently contacted his congressional representative, Jake Ellzey, after calls to the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, he said, didn’t really answer his questions, other than asking if he filed Form N-600K.

“Where we live, it’s fine, we haven’t had issues yet. The gangs aren’t here. But it’s more the unknown of what is going to happen, how far is it going to go,” he said. “Are we going to be able to find the supplies we need? Not being able to just leave. We don’t have any options unless the United States is willing to do something as far as processing emergency visas in helping us get out. We’re here.”

The charter flight not only doesn’t help those trapped in Port-au-Prince but also specifically mentions that travelers have to have U.S. passports, which, Faller said, appears to leave out those with U.S. resident cards. There is no option for residency or green cards on the intake form individuals are asked to fill out.

“What about those with spousal visas or adopted Haitian children, even if you manage to get a visa? Where are they supposed to go if they can’t get on this plane?” Faller said. “We are worried about us who can’t get out, but the average Haitian is having a very hard time surviving right now.”

Plans for the voluntary evacuations come as those in Haiti continue to find themselves faced with a rapidly deteriorating crisis. The coordinated violence by armed gangs has led to the escape of thousands of prisoners after two massive jailbreaks. They’ve also targeted the airport, seaport and National Palace.

On Saturday, Haiti National Police said specialized units were carrying out an operation in the lower Delmas neighborhood of the capital, which began on Friday.

“Several bandits were mortally injured, firearms were seized and roads were unblocked by law enforcement officers,” the police said in a statement.

The operation began as an attempt by the police to unblock a road and regain control of one of the bases belonging to a specialized unit.

During the operation, however, police found themselves in a shootout with armed gang members, including Jimmy Chérizier, the former policeman turned gang chief known as Barbecue, who considers the area his fiefdom.

In a brief statement confirming the death of armed gang members, some also reportedly from an explosion in the area, the Haiti National Police did not provide details on the fate of Chérizier. It would only say that the operation remains ongoing and they were asking the population to cooperate.

As the police operation was unfolding, armed gangs attacked several businesses in lower Delmas and La Saline. A Toyota car dealership was looted and vehicles were stolen and set on fire. At another business, there was also reportedly an explosion that killed an unknown number of individuals. The bandits also returned to the seaport, which had been under the control of the police and army following several attacks days earlier.

Drone images showed dozens of people running in and out of containers at the port. The crowds are part of the gangs’ changing strategy where they send the population in first to pillage, and then follow.

Currently, over 260 humanitarian-owned containers are controlled by armed groups at the port, the United Nations’ lead child welfare agency said Saturday, announcing that 17 of its containers were looted.

“Depriving children of vital health supplies amidst a collapsing health care system is a violation of their rights. This incident occurs at a critical moment when children need them the most,” Bruno Maes, UNICEF’s representative in Haiti, said. “Looting of supplies that are essential for life-saving support for children must end immediately and humanitarian access must remain safe.”

Maes, the UNICEF chief, said the violence is fanning a deeper humanitarian crisis that is bound to affect not just the capital but other areas of Haiti as people struggle to find food and other essentials.

For example, he said, six out of 10 hospitals are not functional due to the lack of electricity and fuel and medical supply shortages, which has a severe impact on children who need emergency medical attention, especially in Port-au-Prince. A critical shortage of blood products is also hindering surgeries, including those for individuals wounded in the crossfire.

By Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald (TNS)

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