The longest flight in the world. This phrase is enough to strike fear into the average airline passenger. Anecdotally, people have a very different interpretation of what is a long flight. Irish people consider the 7 or 8 hours to the USA to be a quite a long flight while Australian people find this to be relatively short. Aussies consider 13 hour flights to places such as Los Angeles to be a long flight.
What about 17 hours? The thought of this flight in Economy Class is enough to strike terror into the hardiest of people. Even frequent flyers begin to quiver with fear. Let’s have a look at the five longest flights in the world.
Emirates – Auckland to Dubai
It is probably no surprise that global juggernaut Emirates are currently the record holder for longest flight in the world. It is also operated by the largest aircraft in the world, the double deck Airbus 380 and clocks in at 17 hours and 15 minutes. Not bad for 14,203 kilometres.
Qantas – Dallas/Fort Worth to Sydney
Australian carrier Qantas holds the number two place with their ultra long haul flight between Dallas and Sydney. 16 hours and 55 minutes would be okay in First Class or Business Class as Qantas have a particularly well regarded premium product. At 13,804 kilometres mainly over the Pacific Ocean it’s not for the faint hearted.
Singapore Airlines – San Francisco to Singapore
United Airlines – San Francisco to Singapore
This 13,593 kilometre odyssey is made a lot easier by the fact that each airline offers the most modern aircraft in the world. Singapore Airlines offer the Airbus 350 while United offer the Boeing 787-9.
Delta Air Lines – Johannesburg to Atlanta
US major Delta connect the United States and South Africa from their hub in Atlanta. At 13,582 kilometres, it is only a few kilometres short of the previous flight.
Etihad Airways – Los Angeles to Abu Dhabi
One of the Middle East three, Etihad Airways operate the 13,502 kilometre flight between Los Angeles and Abu Dhabi.
February 2017 – New Longest Flight In The World
The list will change in February 2017 when Qatar Airways finally open their Auckland to Doha route. At 14,529 kilometres and scheduled for 17 hours and 45 minutes it promises to test the endurance of crew and passengers alike.
Image via oneworld
Overall Thoughts
The longest flight in the world is something some frequent flyers aspire to try. For others, it is the fastest way between two cities. Have you flown on one of the longest flights in the world? If you have, please share your experience in the comments below as I’d love to hear about it. Thanks for reading!
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Get your facts straight! Air India operates the longest route since October 16. New Delhi to San Francisco more than 15100km.
Thank you for your comment! I will make sure to write a new post this week about the Air India flight. I appreciate you keeping me honest and accurate!
You’re taking the 17 hour flight? Bless you! I could never!
Yes, it will be some experience. I think sleeping pills might be the way forward on a flight like that! 🙂 Wish me luck!
I flew Singapore Airlines SIN to Newark in 2013 when it was the longest flight in the world. It was 100 seats, all flat bed and a wonderful flight. Booking the chef made it even better. Sleeping, eating and watching a few movies made the flight go by surprisingly fast.
I have heard about that flight – I believe they are bringing it back in 2018 on the A350. It’s nice to read your thoughts – it doesn’t sound nearly as daunting from the way you have put it. Qatar Airways are supposed to have an excellent Business Class, so I imagine the experience will be a bit like yours with Singapore Airlines. I hope so anyway! Thanks for reading and thanks for the comment!
The Air India Delhi to San Francisco over the Pacific Ocean is now the longest flight. The return route is over the Atlantic which is shorter.
I don’t think so… the return is over 16 hours scheduled flight time, but distance wise it is far short of the longest flight.
Short of the total return flight distance rather than an individual flight? Perhaps the title of the article should be “Top 5 Longest Return Flights In The World.” ??
Thank you for your comments, Korpro. Glad to have you as a reader!