The Longest Flights in the World

The Longest Flights in the World Written by Mark Smith. Published on 19th April, 2017. Category: Travel News

The Longest Flight in the World

Over 9,000 miles; 17 hours; just the 1 flight! With the world’s longest commercial flight recently going on sale with QANTAS, the planet is opening up further to the needs of both the business and leisure traveller in new and exciting ways! QANTAS launched their new route direct between Perth, Western Australia, and London, bypassing the usual stopovers in Asia or the Middle East, with their newly redesigned Boeing 787 Dreamliner. So what does this mean to you?

Firstly, there is the convenience of being able to reduce your time in the air down to just 17 hours, making those all important business meetings more accessible, or those family events within reach.

Secondly, there are several advances in the technology of the Dreamliner, with higher cabin pressure (closer to the atmosphere at ground level) and humidity making for less jetlag and meaning a higher altitude can be reached so less clouds and turbulence. The aircraft is also more fuel efficient with less engine noise so passengers can sleep easier on these ultra long flights.

Lastly, to keep the total weight of the aircraft as low as possible, and providing enough weight allowance for fuel on this direct flight, the cabin configuration has been modified with more room for passengers in all cabins. Paired with larger windows and state-of-the-art in-flight facilities, passengers will be more comfortable even with the longer flight time.

Of course all these conveniences come with a price tag, and although pricing has yet to be released, we can expect the tickets to be above the cost of a current connecting flight, but not exorbitantly so.

Previous World Record Flights

Delhi to San Francisco

Although only having a flight time of 14 1/2 hours, the Air India flight from Delhi to San Francisco covers the longest distance in the world in its Boeing 777-200 ER… a huge 9,408 miles!

Doha to Auckland

Earlier in 2017, Qatar Airways launched a service from their base at Doha to Auckland, New Zealand. The Boeing 777-200 LR covers 9,032 miles and takes over 16 hours.

Dubai to Auckland

Since the first quarter of 2016, Emirates has operated flights between its hub in Dubai and Auckland, New Zealand, travelling 8,824 miles on their Airbus A380-800 in just over 16 hours.

Sydney to Dallas

QANTAS already holds the fourth longest flight in the world between Sydney, Australia, and Dallas, Texas, which they began operating in 2014. At 8,578 miles the trip takes 15 1/2 hours in their Airbus A380-800.

San Francisco to Singapore

Both United Airlines, with a Boeing 787-200, and Singapore Airlines, in an Airbus A350-900, have operated on the route between San Francisco and Singapore since mid 2016, and although only covering 8,446 miles, due to its direction of travel the flight lasts 17 1/4 hours.

No matter which way I look at these ultra long distance flights, the thought of spending that long in my seat is not a pleasant thought… unless I treat myself to business class that is!

Image source: QANTAS