World’s 10 longest non-stop flights, Emirates makes the list

As airlines continue to expand their global operations, offering efficient routes is essential. One major aspect of this is providing non-stop flight routes. Favorable for both passengers and airlines alike, these routes tend to be in demand for long-haul flights.

Here’s an overview of the world’s top 10 longest non-stop commercial flight routes, as listed by OAG, a UK-based global travel data provider.

Flight Time: 18 hours 40 minutes

Distance: 15,332km

Airline: Singapore Airlines

Aircraft: Airbus A350

Currently, the New York to Singapore flight route takes the crown for the longest, non-stop commercial flight. Coming in at a grand total of nearly 19 hours, the flight departs from New York’s John F. Kennedy International airport and lands at Singapore’s Changi airport. This route began operations in November 2020, prior to which the longest flight route was between New Jersey and Singapore.

Flight Time: 18 hours 40 minutes

Distance: 15,329km

Airline: Singapore Airlines

Aircraft: Airbus A350

The JFK route is not the only non-stop flight serviced by Singapore airlines to fly out of New York City’s vicinity. Over in neighboring New Jersey, a similar flight route departs from Newark Liberty International airport that has been in service since 2004. Trailing closely behind the world’s longest flight, the Newark to Changi airport route falls just a few kilometers short of taking the number one spot.

Flight Time: 17 hours 50 minutes

Distance: 14,096km

Airline: Singapore Airlines

Aircraft: Airbus A350

This route goes from Los Angeles International Airport to Singapore Changi airport. Apart from Los Angeles and New York, Singapore airlines also has operations to three other American cities: San Francisco, Houston, and Seattle.

Flight Time: 17 hours 45 minutes  

Distance: 14,468km

Airline: Qantas Airways  

Aircraft: Boeing 787-9

Qantas Airways initiated this landmark route in 2022, making it the first non-stop commercial flight between Dallas and Melbourne. Prior to this, Qantas had established a Dallas to Sydney route in the early 2010s. Today, this flight goes from Dallas Fort Worth International airport to Melbourne airport.

Flight Time: 17 hours 30 minutes

Distance: 14,499km

Airline: Qantas Airways

Aircraft: Boeing 787-9

This flight travels from Perth airport to London Heathrow. While the history of this route can be traced back to the mid-1900s, Qantas made history in 2018 when they became the first to offer this route non-stop. Additionally, this Qantas Airways route is just one out of the total four mentioned in this list.

Flight Time: 17 hours 20 minutes

Distance: 14,526km

Airline: Qatar Airways  

Aircraft: Boeing 777-200LR

This flight route is from Auckland airport to Doha’s Hamad International airport. This service first began in 2017, and was the world’s longest commercial flight at the time of its launch. Although the route was temporarily suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, operations were reinstated in 2024. Auckland is the only city in New Zealand that Qatar Airways services.

Flight Time: 17 hours 05 minutes

Distance: 14,193km

Airline: Emirates

Aircraft: Airbus A380

In this route, Emirates airline flies from Auckland airport to Dubai International airport. Although Emirates first began flying to Auckland in 2003, non-stop flights to the city did not begin up until 2016. Emirates is also the only local UAE carrier to offer routes to New Zealand.

Flight Time: 16 hours 20 minutes

Distance: 14,265km

Airline: Qantas Airways

Aircraft: Boeing 787-9

This flight takes off from Paris Charles De Gaulle airport and flies to Perth airport. Historically, this route was first established in the early 2000s but later suspended. Nearly two decades later, Qantas re-initiated flights to Paris just last year.

Flight Time: 16 hours 20 minutes

Distance: 14,124km

Airline: China Southern Airlines

Aircraft: Airbus A350

This flight departs from Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport and lands at Mexico City International Airport Benito Juárez. Starting in 2024, this route is one of the newest flights to join the list of international long-hauls. In fact, this flight also sets the record for China’s longest non-stop flight.

Flight Time: 16 hours 15 minutes  

Distance: 14,209km

Airline: Air New Zealand

Aircraft: Boeing 787-9

This flight route departs from Auckland airport and lands at New York’s John F. Kennedy International. The carrier began servicing this route in 2022. Apart from Air New Zealand, Qantas Airways also operates on the same route, offering non-stop flights since 2023. Although this provides more options for passengers, it increases competition amongst the local airlines.

Currently, Qantas is spearheading the journey to introduce two of the longest flight routes ever created. Dubbed “project sunrise”, their proposed plan will have flights from Sydney to London and New York, with flight durations anticipated to reach up to 20 hours.

Mariam Khan is a trainee journalist at Gulf News.