Traveling has become an integral part of our lives, and with modern aviation technology, long-distance travel has become more comfortable and accessible than ever before. While some passengers find lengthy flights to be arduous, there are those who enjoy the opportunity to disconnect from the world and appreciate the journey itself. Regardless, these flights cover vast distances and can take several hours to reach their destination, requiring patience and endurance from all passengers.
Here are the 10 longest flights in the world:
Singapore (SIN) – New York City (JFK)
Singapore (SIN) – New York City (JFK)
Airline: Singapore Airlines
Distance: 9,537 miles
Estimated Flight Time: 18 hours, 30 minutes
Singapore Airlines has claimed the top spot for the world's longest flight. The route covers 9,537 miles from Singapore Changi Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. The journey takes approximately 18 hours and 30 minutes to complete, and passengers can choose to fly in either Business, Premium Economy, or Economy class.
Auckland (AKL) – Doha (DOH)
Auckland (AKL) – Doha (DOH)
Airline: Qatar Airways
Distance: 9,032 miles
Estimated Flight Time: 18 hours, 20 minutes
Qatar Airways' Auckland to Doha route covers 9,032 miles and takes around 18 hours and 20 minutes to complete. The flight is the longest route in the airline's network and is served by the Boeing 777-200LR aircraft.
Perth (PER) – London (LHR)
Perth (PER) – London (LHR)
Airline: Qantas
Distance: 9,009 miles
Estimated Flight Time: 17 hours, 20 minutes
Qantas' Perth to London route covers 9,009 miles and takes approximately 17 hours and 20 minutes to complete. The airline introduced the non-stop service in March 2018, making it the first non-stop flight between Australia and Europe.
Auckland (AKL) – Dubai (DXB)
Auckland (AKL) – Dubai (DXB)
Airline: Emirates
Distance: 8,824 miles
Estimated Flight Time: 17 hours, 15 minutes
Emirates' Auckland to Dubai route covers 8,824 miles and takes around 17 hours and 15 minutes to complete. The airline uses the Airbus A380 for this flight, which has a maximum capacity of 615 passengers.
Los Angeles (LAX) – Singapore (SIN)
Los Angeles (LAX) – Singapore (SIN)
Airline: Singapore Airlines
Distance: 8,770 miles
Estimated Flight Time: 17 hours, 55 minutes
Singapore Airlines' Los Angeles to Singapore route covers 8,770 miles and takes approximately 17 hours and 55 minutes to complete. The airline uses the Airbus A350-900ULR for this route, which is specifically designed for ultra-long-haul flights.
Houston (IAH) – Sydney (SYD)
Houston (IAH) – Sydney (SYD)
Airline: United Airlines
Distance: 8,596 miles
Estimated Flight Time: 17 hours, 30 minutes
United Airlines' Houston to Sydney route covers 8,596 miles and takes approximately 17 hours and 30 minutes to complete. The airline operates the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft for this route.
San Francisco (SFO) – Singapore (SIN)
San Francisco (SFO) – Singapore (SIN)
Airline: United Airlines
Distance: 8,446 miles
Estimated Flight Time: 17 hours, 30 minutes
United Airlines' San Francisco to Singapore route covers 8,446 miles and takes around 17 hours and 30 minutes to complete. The airline uses the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft for this route.
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) – Sydney (SYD)
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) – Sydney (SYD)
Airline: Qantas
Distance: 8,578 miles
Estimated Flight Time: 17 hours, 15 minutes
Qantas' Dallas/Fort Worth to Sydney route covers 8,578 miles and takes approximately 17 hours and 15 minutes to complete. The airline operates the Airbus A380 aircraft for this route, which has a capacity of up to 484 passengers.
Johannesburg (JNB) – Atlanta (ATL)
Johannesburg (JNB) – Atlanta (ATL)
Airline: Delta Air Lines
Distance: 8,439 miles
Estimated Flight Time: 16 hours, 55 minutes
Delta Air Lines' Johannesburg to Atlanta route covers 8,439 miles and takes approximately 16 hours and 55 minutes to complete. The airline uses the Airbus A350-900 for this route, which is known for its fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.
Dubai (DXB) – Los Angeles (LAX)
Dubai (DXB) – Los Angeles (LAX)
Airline: Emirates
Distance: 8,339 miles
Estimated Flight Time: 16 hours, 55 minutes
Emirates' Dubai to Los Angeles route covers 8,339 miles and takes around 16 hours and 55 minutes to complete. The airline operates the Airbus A380 aircraft for this route, which features luxurious cabins and amenities for its passengers.
Summary of Longest Flights in the world
| Flight Route | Airline | Distance (miles) | Estimated Flight Time |
| New York City (JFK) – Singapore (SIN) | Singapore Airlines | 9,537 | 18 hours, 30 minutes |
| Los Angeles (LAX) – Singapore (SIN) | Singapore Airlines | 8,772 | 17 hours, 50 minutes |
| Houston (IAH) – Sydney (SYD) | United Airlines | 8,596 | 17 hours, 30 minutes |
| San Francisco (SFO) – Singapore (SIN) | United Airlines/Singapore Airlines | 8,447 | 17 hours, 35 minutes |
| Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) – Sydney (SYD) | Qantas | 8,578 | 17 hours, 20 minutes |
| New York City (JFK) – Manila (MNL) | Philippine Airlines | 8,520 | 17 hours, 5 minutes |
| Doha (DOH) – Auckland (AKL) | Qatar Airways | 9,032 | 18 hours, 20 minutes |
| London (LHR) – Perth (PER) | Qantas | 9,010 | 17 hours, 20 minutes |
| Johannesburg (JNB) – Atlanta (ATL) | Delta Air Lines | 8,439 | 16 hours, 55 minutes |
| Dubai (DXB) – Los Angeles (LAX) | Emirates | 8,339 | 16 hours, 55 minutes |
In conclusion, while long flights require endurance and patience, they can also offer a unique opportunity for travelers to explore far-flung destinations without the need for layovers or connecting flights. Additionally, the latest advancements in aviation technology have made these journeys increasingly comfortable and enjoyable. For those who don't mind spending a few extra hours in the air, these long flights can even save time overall, as they eliminate the need for multiple transit stops.