Singapore Airlines used to operate the two longest flights in the world — Newark to Singapore non-stop (9534 miles) followed by Los Angeles to Singapore (8770 miles). Both of these were flown with Airbus A340-500 flying gas cans.
Now that they’ve restarted both flights, Los Angeles isn’t even in the top 4 and their San Francisco non-stops aren’t in the top eight.
Singapore Airlines Business Class
Thai Airways briefly operated what was then the third longest flight in the world, New York JFK to Bangkok at 8677 miles, and for a longer period operated Los Angeles – Bangkok non-stop (at just 8270 miles). Eventually they decided to stem the losses incurred by burning so much fuel just to be able to carry enough fuel to make the trip.
Ultra long range flying is more economical because of newer more fuel efficient aircraft, and while the price of jet fuel has risen this year it hasn’t reached the levels of five years ago.
I had first class awards booked on Qantas’ Dallas – Sydney non-stop. The last time I flew the flight it was the third longest in the world. Now it’s not even the longest Qantas flight, or the longest flight from the US to Australia.
Qantas Airbus A380 Arriving in Dallas for the First Time
I used to think that New York JFK – Hong Kong and Dallas – Dubai, flights I’ve taken multiple times, were extraordinarily long. Now they’re not in the top 20 by distance.
In fact there are 26 flights that travel more than 8000 miles. Here are the longest flights in the world. How many do you know?
| Between | And | Miles | Airline(s) | |||||
| Newark | <–> | Singapore | 9534 | Singapore | ||||
| Auckland | <–> | Doha | 9032 | Qatar | ||||
| Perth | <–> | London Heathrow | 9009 | Qantas | ||||
| Auckland | <–> | Dubai | 8824 | Emirates | ||||
| Los Angeles | <–> | Singapore | 8770 | Singapore | ||||
| Houston | <–> | Sydney | 8596 | United | ||||
| Dallas Fort-Worth | <–> | Sydney | 8578 | Qantas | ||||
| New York JFK | <–> | Manila | 8520 | Philippine | ||||
| San Francisco | <–> | Singapore | 8446 | Singapore, United | ||||
| Atlanta | <–> | Johannesburg | 8439 | Delta | ||||
| Los Angeles | <–> | Abu Dhabi | 8390 | Etihad | ||||
| Los Angeles | <–> | Dubai | 8339 | Emirates | ||||
| Los Angeles | <–> | Jeddah | 8332 | Saudia | ||||
| Los Angeles | <–> | Doha | 8306 | Qatar | ||||
| Toronto | <–> | Manila | 8221 | Philippine | ||||
| Vancouver | <–> | Melbourne | 8192 | Air Canada | ||||
| Dubai | <–> | Houston | 8168 | Emirates | ||||
| Dallas Fort-Worth | <–> | Hong Kong | 8123 | American | ||||
| Washington Dulles | <–> | Hong Kong | 8153 | Cathay | ||||
| San Francisco | <–> | Dubai | 8103 | Emirates | ||||
| New York JFK | <–> | Hong Kong | 8072 | Cathay | ||||
| Newark | <–> | Hong Kong | 8065 | Cathay, United | ||||
| Houston | <–> | Doha | 8048 | Qatar | ||||
| Dallas Fort-Worth | <–> | Dubai | 8040 | Emirates | ||||
| Mexico City | <–> | Shanghai | 8026 | Aeromexico | ||||
| New York JFK | <–> | Guangzhou | 8002 | China Southern |
I’ve done one of those trips. It didn’t seem so bad at the time…even in a middle seat in economy (but bulkhead exit row). Though my feet did swell up…
I have taken 3 of the above routes multiple times and absolutely loved it each time whether in economy, premium economy, or business class. I must say that the best of these flights by far though was the Qatar Airways DOH-AKL flight which until about 2 months ago was the best. Qatar Airways has the best business class in the skies and I truly enjoyed the 777-200LR seat even though it is in a 2-2-2 config. It hard product was super comfy, and the soft product was phenomenal with an amazing crew, great bedding, and some of the best food in the sky.
Not listed: ORD-AKL at 8,184 starts Nov. 30, 2018.
@FineAWay – this is a current list though 🙂
DFW and IAD to HKG need to change places on your list.
Thai dropped it’s Bangkok JFK flight not because of fuel. After all making an intermittent stop in Japan actually requires more fuel. If the cost of the fuel is the problem then you can cover it with a fuel surcharge and if you still have the passengers no problem. People I knew who flew on this route said it was always packed.
The problem is otherwise. In Thailand certain military ranks and above as well as government officials (currently the same thing) are allowed to fly free with their families on this airline. This was a popular route for many of them so Thai found themselves making a thumping great loss flying so many for free and dropped the route.