Air travel has almost become an essential in daily life, ever since the first commercial flight departed from St. Petersburg, Florida on January 1, 1914. While there are some long non-stop airline routes, at the same time many flights have short routes.
Today, about 100,000 flights take off and land all over the world every day. And, there have been several technological advancements in aviation sector over the years that have made travel quite convenient and people can fly thousands of kilometers non-stop.
Let’s take a look at the 10 longest non-stop airline routes in the world, according to the data by OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited.
New York to Singapore Changi (Distance: 15,332km) | Airline: Singapore Airlines
The longest commercial flight at present is New York John F Kennedy Airport – Singapore Changi Airport. This route, which is 15,332 km long and takes an average of 18 hours and 40 minutes to complete, has remained at the top of the list since 2021. The Airbus A350-900 is the preferred aircraft for this lengthy travel.
Newark Liberty International to Singapore Changi (Distance: 15,329km) | Airline: Singapore Airlines
Singapore Changi Airport, which has direct flights to Australia and other Asian nations, is also home to the second-longest flight route as of 2024. The journey includes the Newark-Changi route and the flying time is 18 hours 30 minutes. Earlier, this route was the longest in the world from 2004 to 2013 and again from 2018 to 2020 until Singapore Airlines introduced flights from JFK to Singapore. The Airbus A350-900 is the preferred aircraft for this long travel route.
Auckland to Doha (Distance: 14,526km) | Airline: Qatar Airways
This route was reinstated after being discontinued a few years after it was introduced in 2017 during the Covid-19 epidemic. Previously the longest non-stop commercial flight in the world, Auckland-Doha is currently ranked a respectable third in the ranking list. The flying time is 17 hours 35 minutes. The Airbus A350-900 is the preferred aircraft for this lengthy travel route.
Read more: 10 largest countries in the world by land area
Perth to London (Distance: 14,499km) | Airline: Qantas Airways
The route from Perth to London is an excellent example of the constantly evolving opportunities for international air travel. Qantas Airways is the airline operating this very long-haul journey from Perth, Australia to the bustling city in the United Kingdom. This historic route, which began on March 24, 2018, was the first-ever non-stop service between Australia and the UK, representing a significant turning point in the history of aviation. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is the preferred aircraft for this lengthy travel because of its efficiency and greater range.
Dallas Fort Worth to Melbourne (Distance: 14,468km) | Airline: Qantas Airways
Interestingly, Dallas Fort Worth continues to show up in the list of the busiest airports this year, providing Australian travellers with onwards flights to 193 US locations. The estimated time of the flight from Dallas to Melbourne is 17 hours and 35 minutes. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is the preferred aircraft for this long travel route because of its efficiency and greater range.
Paris (Charles de Gaulle) to Perth (Distance: 14,265km) | Airline: Qantas Airways
This is one of two routes in the top 10 longest commercial flight routes that includes a European airport, both of which depart from Perth, Australia. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is the preferred aircraft for this long travel route because of its efficiency and greater range.
Auckland International to New York (Distance: 14,209km) | Airlines: Air New Zealand, Qantas
This is the first Air New Zealand route that travels nonstop to New York, and it was launched in 2022. The flight is expected to last 16 hours and 15 minutes. Qantas began operating the AKL-JFK route in 2023, giving Air New Zealand some competition. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is the preferred aircraft for this long travel route because of its efficiency and greater range.
Auckland International to Dubai International (Distance: 14,193km) | Airline: Emirates
This journey, which totalled 14,193 kilometres in 2016, held the record for the longest flight in history. It’s remarkable how rapidly things can change in the aviation industry, since it only took eight years for it to move down to the eighth spot on the list. The journey takes 17 hours and 5 minutes, arriving at one of the busiest international airports on earth. The Airbus A350 is the preferred aircraft for this long travel route.
Shenzhen to Mexico City (Distance: 14,124km) | Airline: China Southern
This flight is the only one on the list that is operated by a Chinese airline and has an airport in either Latin America or China. Fascinating fact: Due to Mexico City’s high altitude, this route runs directly from Shenzhen to Mexico City but returns with an a layover in Tijuana. The Airbus A350 is the preferred aircraft for this long travel route.
Los Angeles to Singapore Changi (Distance: 14,096km). Airline: Singapore Airlines
On the list of the longest non-stop commercial flights, Singapore Changi Airport appears for the third and final time at position 10. This route was first operated by United Airlines in 2016 and was the longest scheduled non-stop flight from the US at the time. The Airbus A350-900 is the preferred aircraft for this long travel route.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the longest non-stop flight time in the world?
According to the data by OAG Aviation Worldwide Limited, the longest non-stop commercial airline at present is New York John F Kennedy Airport – Singapore Changi Airport. This route, which is 15,332 km long and takes an average of 18 hours and 40 minutes to complete.
What is the largest plane in the world?
The Antonov An-225 ‘Mriya’, an aviation marvel, is unmatched in its category. Weighing a staggering 640 tonnes with an 88.4-meter wingspan.
What plane can fly the farthest in the world?
Today, the A350-900ULR is the longest-range aircraft in the world, with the latest competition from Boeing (the 777-8) still some way behind.
For more logistics news, click here.