In an era where travellers complain about 2-hour delays, some brave souls willingly subject themselves to flights that last nearly as long as a full day at the office.
These aviation marathons represent the ultimate test of human patience, bladder capacity, and ability to survive on aeroplane food for extended periods.
Photo: EmiratesLongest Non-Stop Flights in the World
Here are the world’s 10 longest non-stop commercial flights that make crossing time zones feel like time travel.
1. New York (JFK) to Singapore (SIN)
Photo: Clément Alloing- Airline- Singapore Airlines (SQ)
- Time- 18 hours 40 minutes
- Distance Covered- 15,332 kilometres
- Aircraft- Airbus A350
The route launched in November 2020, claiming the title from its sister route that previously held the record. Passengers on this flight experience the unique phenomenon of boarding in one day and arriving two days later, thanks to crossing the international date line.
The airline has perfected the art of keeping travellers comfortable during this extended aerial imprisonment, offering premium cabin services and carefully planned meal schedules to help passengers adjust to the time difference.
2. Newark (EWR) to Singapore (SIN)
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh Tekriwal- Airline- Singapore Airlines (SQ)
- Time- 18 hours 40 minutes
- Distance Covered- 15,329 kilometres
- Aircraft- Airbus A350
Just three kilometres shorter than its JFK counterpart, the Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) route clocks in at 18 hours and 40 minutes, too.
Also operated by Singapore Airlines (SQ) using the Airbus A350, this route has been connecting New Jersey to Southeast Asia since 2004, making it a veteran in the ultra-long-haul game.
The minimal distance difference between this route and the JFK service means passengers experience virtually identical flight times, though the Newark departure often appeals to travellers from the broader New York metropolitan area who find the New Jersey airport more convenient to access.
3. Los Angeles (LAX) to Singapore (SIN)
Photo:-Olivier CABARET | Flickr- Airline- Singapore Airlines (SQ)
- Time- 17 hours 50 minutes
- Distance Covered- 14,096 kilometres
- Aircraft- Airbus A350
Singapore Airlines (SQ) continues its dominance in ultra-long-haul flights with the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) route. This flight offers West Coast travellers direct access to Southeast Asia without the hassle of connections.
The Airbus A350 handles this route with remarkable efficiency, and the flight represents one of 5 Singapore Airlines (SQ) destinations from the United States, alongside New York, San Francisco, Houston, and Seattle.
The route provides crucial connectivity for business travellers and tourists seeking to explore Singapore’s vibrant culture and its role as a gateway to broader Southeast Asia.
4. Dallas (DFW) to Melbourne (MEL)
Photo: By Adam Moreira (AEMoreira042281) – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 | Wikimedia Commons- Airline- Qantas (QF)
- Time- 17 hours 45 minutes
- Distance Covered- 14,468 kilometres
- Aircraft- Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Qantas Airways (QF) broke new ground in 2022 with the launch of its Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Melbourne Airport (MEL) route. This flight marks the first non-stop commercial service between these two cities.
The route builds upon Qantas’s successful Dallas to Sydney service established in the early 2010s, providing American travellers with enhanced access to Australia’s cultural capital.
The flight’s timing allows passengers to maximise their time in Melbourne while minimising the jet lag typically associated with such long-distance travel.
5. Perth (PER) to London (LHR)
Photo by WikiCommons- Airline- Qantas (QF)
- Time- 17 hours 30 minutes
- Distance Covered- 14,499 kilometres
- Aircraft- Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
The Perth Airport (PER) to London Heathrow (LHR) route operated by Qantas Airways (QF) represents a historic achievement in aviation. While connections between Australia and the United Kingdom date back to the mid-1900s, Qantas made aviation history in 2018 by offering the first non-stop service on this route.
The flight covers 14,499 kilometres using the Boeing 787-9, effectively shrinking the traditional “Kangaroo Route” that previously required multiple stops.
This service has revolutionised travel between Australia’s western coast and Europe, offering passengers unprecedented convenience and reducing total travel time significantly.
6. Auckland (AKL) to Doha (DOH)
Photo: Clément Alloing- Airline- Qatar Airways (QR)
- Time- 17 hours 20 minutes
- Distance Covered- 14,526 kilometres
- Aircraft- Boeing 777-200LR
Using the Boeing 777-200LR, this route launched in 2017 and briefly held the title of the world’s longest commercial flight.
The service faced temporary suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed operations in 2024, much to the relief of travellers seeking direct connectivity between New Zealand and the Middle East.
Auckland remains the only New Zealand destination in Qatar Airways’ network, making this route particularly significant for Kiwi travellers accessing the airline’s extensive Middle Eastern and African connections.
7. Auckland (AKL) to Dubai (DXB)
Photo: Emirates- Airline- Emirates (EK)
- Time- 17 hours 05 minutes
- Distance Covered- 14,193 kilometres
- Aircraft- Airbus A380
The airline deploys its flagship Airbus A380 super-jumbo on this route, providing travellers with the full Emirates (EK) experience, including onboard showers and lounges in premium cabins.
While Emirates (EK) began serving Auckland in 2003, non-stop flights didn’t commence until 2016.
As the only UAE carrier serving New Zealand, Emirates (EK) has established this route as a crucial link for travellers accessing the airline’s global network through its Dubai hub.
8. Paris (CDG) to Perth (PER)
Photo: By BriYYZ from Toronto, Canada – Qantas Boeing 787-9 VH-ZNA | Wikimedia Commons- Airline- Qantas (QF)
- Time- 16 hours 20 minutes
- Distance Covered- 14,265 kilometres
- Aircraft- Boeing 787-9
This route has an interesting history, having first operated in the early 2000s before being suspended. Qantas (QF) revived the service in 2024, recognising the growing demand for direct connectivity between Europe and Australia’s western coast.
The route provides European travellers with convenient access to Western Australia while offering Australians a direct gateway to continental Europe.
9. Shenzhen (SZX) to Mexico City (MEX)
Photo: By Md Shaifuzzaman Ayon – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 | Wikimedia Commons- Airline- China Southern Airlines (CZ)
- Time- 16 hours 20 minutes
- Distance Covered- 14,124 kilometres
- Aircraft- Airbus A350
China Southern Airlines (CZ) operates one of the newest additions to the ultra-long-haul category with its Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX) to Mexico City International Airport (MEX) route. This flight represents China’s longest non-stop commercial flight.
Launched in 2024, this route establishes a crucial link between China’s manufacturing hub and Mexico’s capital, facilitating business and cultural exchanges between Asia and Latin America. The flight represents China Southern’s ambitious expansion into long-haul international markets.
10. Auckland (AKL) to New York (JFK)
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh Tekriwal- Airline- Air New Zealand (NZ) & Qantas (QF)
- Time- 16 hours 15 minutes
- Distance Covered- 14,209 kilometres
- Aircraft- Boeing 787-9
Rounding out the top 10 is the Auckland Airport (AKL) to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) route, operated by both Air New Zealand (NZ) and Qantas Airways (QF).
Air New Zealand (NZ) launched this service in 2022, with Qantas (QF) following suit in 2023, creating healthy competition on this trans-Pacific route.
The dual-carrier operation provides passengers with more scheduling options while intensifying competition between the two airlines, ultimately benefiting travellers through improved services and competitive pricing.
Bottom Line
These 10 ultra-long-haul flights represent the pinnacle of modern aviation achievement, turning what once required multiple connections and days of travel into single, albeit lengthy, journeys.
While passengers may emerge from these flights feeling like they’ve aged a year, they’ve also witnessed the incredible shrinking of our world through aviation technology.
As airlines continue pushing boundaries with projects like Qantas’s proposed 20-hour “Project Sunrise” flights, one can only wonder if future passengers will need to pack camping gear for their next business trip.
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Longest Narrowbody Flights in the World in 2025
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