Over the past decade we’ve seen a trend whereby airlines have added an incredible number of new ultra long haul flights. In this post I wanted to summarize the world’s longest flights, what other ultra long haul flights might be on the horizon, and share why these are more practical than in the past.
In this post:
Why ultra long haul flights are more practical than ever
Why have we seen airlines launch so many ultra long haul flights in the past several years? It primarily comes down to new aircraft technology. In the past decade, the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 have become the backbone of many carriers’ long haul fleets, and these planes are great for airlines and passengers:
- The planes are ultra long range, and can operate some nonstop flights that previous generation aircraft couldn’t
- The planes have lower capacity than previous generation aircraft (like the Boeing 747), which opens up more viable markets; it’s much easier to profitably fill 250 seats than it is to profitably fill 400 seats
- The planes have great economics, and per-passenger fuel burn is significantly lower than previous generation aircraft
So yeah, long range, fuel efficient, low capacity aircraft have done wonders for airlines when it comes to the viability of ultra long haul city pairs. Many routes that could have previously never been profitable now make sense.
The world’s 20 longest nonstop flights as of December 2024
I wanted to take an updated look at the world’s longest flights, given how much the list has changed over the years. Let’s take a look at the 20 longest flights.
I’m basing this list on direct air distance between city pairs, since obviously Russian airspace issues are causing airlines to largely operate circuitous routings. Furthermore, I think distance is a better metric than length of flight, since winds can also have an impact on the duration of flights, and on top of that, some airlines do a lot of schedule padding.
Note that I’ll only be counting flights that are currently operating, or are expected to be operated in the coming months. What’s pretty amazing to me is that all of these flights are well over 8,000 miles, which is a long way to go nonstop.
What are the world’s longest flights? Here they are, starting with the longest (I’m including the airline that operates the route, the distance, and the aircraft type used):
- Singapore (SIN) to New York (JFK) / Singapore Airlines / 9,537 miles / Airbus A350-900ULR
- Singapore (SIN) to Newark (EWR) / Singapore Airlines / 9,523 miles / Airbus A350-900ULR
- Doha (DOH) to Auckland (AKL) / Qatar Airways / 9,032 miles / Airbus A350-1000
- Perth (PER) to London (LHR) / Qantas / 9,010 miles / Boeing 787-9
- Melbourne (MEL) to Dallas (DFW) / Qantas / 8,992 miles / Boeing 787-9
- Auckland (AKL) to New York (JFK) / Air New Zealand & Qantas / 8,828 miles / Boeing 787-9
- Dubai (DXB) to Auckland (AKL) / Emirates / 8,824 miles / Airbus A380
- Singapore (SIN) to Los Angeles (LAX) / Singapore Airlines / 8,770 miles / Airbus A350-900
- Bangalore (BLR) to San Francisco (SFO) / Air India / 8,701 miles / Boeing 777-200LR
- Houston (IAH) to Sydney (SYD) / United Airlines / 8,596 miles / Boeing 787-9
- Sydney (SYD) to Dallas (DFW) / Qantas / 8,578 miles / Boeing 787-9
- Manila (MNL) to New York (JFK) / Philippine Airlines / 8,520 miles / Airbus A350-900
- Singapore (SIN) to San Francisco (SFO) / Singapore Airlines & United Airlines / 8,446 miles / Airbus A350-900 & Boeing 787-9
- Atlanta (ATL) to Johannesburg (JNB) / Delta / 8,439 miles / Airbus A350-900
- Mumbai (BOM) to San Francisco (SFO) / Air India / 8,406 miles / Boeing 777-200LR
- Dubai (DXB) to Los Angeles (LAX) / Emirates / 8,339 miles / Airbus A380
- Jeddah (JED) to Los Angeles (LAX) / Saudia / 8,332 miles / Boeing 777-300ER
- Doha (DOH) to Los Angeles (LAX) / Qatar Airways / 8,306 miles / Airbus A350-1000
- Perth (PER) to Rome (FCO) / Qantas / 8,298 miles / Boeing 787-9 (resumes June 16, 2024)
- Manila (MNL) to Toronto (YYZ) / Philippine Airlines / 8,221 miles / Airbus A350-900
I intentionally left out the flight times, since they fluctuate throughout the year due to winds. Furthermore, some airlines pad their schedules more than others (in order to create artificial on-time arrivals). All 20 of these flights are blocked anywhere between 15hr5min and 18hr50min.
Here’s a map with all the routes, which is quite cluttered, as you can see:
What record-breaking flights are on the horizon?
A majority of the world’s longest flights have been launched in the past several years, which raises the question of what other record-breaking flights might be on the horizon. In the past couple of years we’ve seen the launch or Air New Zealand’s Auckland to New York flight and Qantas’ Melbourne to Dallas flight, both of which make the list.
What else is on the horizon?
- Pre-pandemic, Qantas planned to launch a Brisbane to Chicago flight, which would cover a distance of 8,916 miles; it’s anyone’s guess if this route ends up launching, or if Qantas instead focuses on Melbourne and Sydney
- Qantas is continuing to work on “Project Sunrise,” whereby the airline hopes to fly nonstop from Melbourne and Sydney to London and New York using Airbus A350-1000s; flights are expected to launch in 2025, and that’s a best case scenario timeline
Next, while these flights aren’t 8,100+ miles (or are routes that aren’t currently operated), there are some other ultra long haul flights that have either recently launched or are on the horizon:
- Delta Air Lines launched an Atlanta to Cape Town flight, which covers a distance of 8,130 miles
- Singapore Airlines launched a nonstop Singapore to Seattle flight, which covers a distance of 8,073 miles
- United Airlines launched a nonstop Newark to Johannesburg flight, which covers a distance of 7,989 miles
- Vietnam Airlines launched a Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco flight, which covers a distance of 7,838 miles
- Air India is rumored to be planning nonstop flights from Delhi to Dallas and Los Angeles, which would cover a distance of 8,186 and 8,013 miles, respectively
Bottom line
We’re seeing more ultra long haul flights than ever before, with so many new routes having been launched in the past decade. This is thanks to how amazing the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 are. Compared to previous generation aircraft, these planes are low capacity, long range, and fuel efficient.
While these marathon flights are great for those traveling in a premium cabin, I can’t imagine doing a nonstop flight like this in economy. In those situations I feel like I’d rather break up the journey than fly nonstop. Heck, even in business class I feel like some of these flights are too long.
Which ultra long haul flight do you find most interesting, and what do you think we’ll see added next?
What about United's future service from Chicago to bangkok?
I think that Boston should have a few more choices. Boston has a very diverse population to support such a great move for most airlines, and the flying public. Well, that's my opinion.
Ben Schlappig, in December I will be taking the United flight from IAH to SYD in business class. I will report back to you how that flight went. I am so glad that flight leaves at 830pm from Houston. I can go to bed at my normal time and wake up at 8am that is still 12 of the flight with 5 hours to go according to United's ticket of 17 hour travel time. The...
Ben Schlappig, in December I will be taking the United flight from IAH to SYD in business class. I will report back to you how that flight went. I am so glad that flight leaves at 830pm from Houston. I can go to bed at my normal time and wake up at 8am that is still 12 of the flight with 5 hours to go according to United's ticket of 17 hour travel time. The flight will land about 7am Sydney time so I think the jet lag wont hit me so hard. It better not cause I am going down there for the New Years.
SAN FRANCISCO , TORONTO , VANCOUVER TO ATQ , AMRITSAR , INDIA WOULD BE FLIGHTS TO CONSIDER FOR UNITED DELTA AMERICAN AIRLINES .
If JFK/EWR to/from SIN is feasible, I'm sure PER to/from SFO would be as well. It would be just over 9,000 miles (3rd longest) if my calculation is correct, and there would probably be a sufficient market between WA and the US. Whether either QF or UA would be on board is another matter.
The question is, Why is first class not available on any of these routes? Am I missing one that does have first class? I can see the appeal of these super long routes. But it quickly becomes less appealing when you read through and research to see that even the Singapore World's Longest routes for example only feature a business class product which.. seems great but maybe not quite good enough for that long of...
The question is, Why is first class not available on any of these routes? Am I missing one that does have first class? I can see the appeal of these super long routes. But it quickly becomes less appealing when you read through and research to see that even the Singapore World's Longest routes for example only feature a business class product which.. seems great but maybe not quite good enough for that long of a route. It seems to me a proper sleep would be of utmost importance. Why not make it a priority to offer First class on these routes where it would seem to be a good fit?
Most airlines have phased out 1st class but there are a few left. Some airlines still have 1st class; American Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar, Etihad for sure I know still have them. Keep this in mind, the longer the flight the more fuel is required therefore less cargo weight they can be carried. Singapore's New York flight only has about 210 passengers, most of them business class with a few premium economy...
Most airlines have phased out 1st class but there are a few left. Some airlines still have 1st class; American Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar, Etihad for sure I know still have them. Keep this in mind, the longer the flight the more fuel is required therefore less cargo weight they can be carried. Singapore's New York flight only has about 210 passengers, most of them business class with a few premium economy in the back. Imagine the price difference between business class and 1st class on that flight from New York to Singapore.
I have flown from Vancouver (YVR), Can. to Bangkok (BKK), Thailand two years in a row. The flying time is 16H, 30Min. I forget what the distant is. I like to book Business Class, I can't imagine that length of time in economy, no thanks.
Interesting that Hong Kong or China flights did not make the list...
Not flying currently (and may not come back) but in 2018 I did DFW-HKG on AA which was about 16 1/2 hours. Flying Singapore JFK-SIN in February mainly to fly the longest flight (although 5 days in Singapore will be fun)
I've flown the SIN - SFO flight in business class. While it wasn't horrid, it was boring, with a capital B. There are only so many movies you can watch, books you can read, and meals you can eat. Sure, you can nap, but since you aren't getting any exercise, deep sleep isn't in the cards (at least not for me.)
I cannot imagine how difficult this flight would be in Economy.
QF are starting PER-CDG later this year which will come in ahead of AKL-JFK.
On the flight screen it said my ke 747 flight was doing 646mph
I'm flying from AKL to BOS later this summer through DXB. While it's an insanely long flight, kind of looking forward to Emirates A380 business class for the first time.
The distance as the crow flies can be misleading with airspaces being avoided.
E.g. Flew HND-FRA last year. They took the long way, flying around Russia over Alaska and Greenland. The distance wouldn't be enough to get into the top 20, but it gets close to #20. I'm sure the ranking is 100% accurate once you take into account the detours flights have to make.
There is another ultra long flt from india to Chicago (ohare ORD)
You missed it
Been on #11 DFW SYD on Qantas in Y and it was lovely. Plenty of food and snacks. Pleasant warm and friendly FAs in the rear galley throughout the flight
Then I fly AA SYD LAX in J and there’s 100 people on 2 jetbridges during boarding wtf. A crying baby which I’m not bothered and cranky FAs. Do your job, rest during your layover instead of taking photos for your Instagram.
Ben, thanks for this article. It was quite timely. A friend just flew the SFO to SIN route and I forwarded the article to her.
Can you link reviews of any of these Ben?
Some Asia-HEL AY flights are worth a look at! Some reaching 17 hours (avoiding Russia)
I was under the impression that EWR-SIN is actually the longest flight in the world since the flight currently operates eastbound due to airspace restrictions. Granted it's semantics but I'm certainly curious since I'm planning a trip to Singapore this year specifically to log the world's longest flight.
Whoops, I re-read the article and saw the metric you used for it. Definitely makes my planned trip a little more puzzling! Was planning to do EWR-SIN since I thought it was the world's longest flight, and have some fun on the way back with different airlines so it'll be interesting to re-plan now!
I have been on a few of these routes. SIN-JFK, LAX-SIN, SIN-SFO, and I think they're comfortable on Singapore Airlines. I've flown DPS-HKG-LAX and that is not as comfortable even in business class. I prefer the non-stop routes if they're available
Yvr to Mel should be coming back at 7757nm
I think Perth to Paris is well and truly on the horizon.
IINM, due to start in early June, 2024 - just before the launch of the Olympics ! Promotional value for this permanent route will be invaluable and operated by a B787-9. Yay ! (and certainly longer than PER-FCO).
Is this for real? Another one of these. Ben, new content. Come on.
Thank you for adding so much to the conversation.
This blog was created for you, specifically, and only things that interest you should be posted. Got it.
I'm not sure these types of posts can be one offs... given the market always changes.
Buzz off whiner, a lot of us love these.