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FROM New York to Singapore, and Auckland to Doha, this is the longest flight route in the world this year. The past year has been like no other for the airline industry. Flight frequencies fell by about 50% from 2019, and passenger traffic fell by two-thirds, according to travel analysis firm Cirium.
Even so, or perhaps because of that, airlines operate some truly incredible routes. Lufthansa repatriated Germans from New Zealand, Austrian Airlines flew non-stop from Sydney to Vienna, and in March, Air Tahiti Nui operated the longest non-stop commercial flight: 9,765 miles from Papeete, Tahiti, to Paris.
Interesting fact: The voyage also broke the record for the longest non-stop domestic flight, as French Polynesia is technically part of France. Apart from unique airlifts operated to repatriate stranded citizens overseas, or one-time scientific missions, airlines are slashing their schedules and emptying most of their long-haul fleets.
Now, however, some of those planes are back in service and we are seeing operators restarting some of their longest routes, as well as launching exciting new services. For example, Singapore Airlines maintained the top position for non-stop flights from Singapore Changi Airport to New York City, but shifted operations from Newark Liberty International Airport to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport in November.
Here is a list of the top 10 longest flights in the world currently or will be operating soon as reported by Travel and Leisure. (1). New York City (JFK) -Singapore (SIN) Airline: Singapore Airlines Distance: 9,537 miles Flight time: 18 hours, 40 minutes
(2). Auckland (AKL) -Doha (DOH), airline: Qatar Airways Distance: 9,032 miles. Flight Time: 18 hours, 5 minutes, this route is scheduled to resume in November 2021. (3). Perth (PER) -London (LHR), airline: Qantas Distance: 9,010 miles. Flight Time: 17 hours, 15 minutes, this route is scheduled to return to the network in July, although this will depend on border and travel restrictions.
(4). Auckland (AKL) -Dubai (DXB), airline: Emirates Distance: 8,824 miles. Flight Time: 17 hours, 5 minutes, this route is scheduled to be relaunched in March. (5). Los Angeles (LAX) -Singapore (SIN), airline: Singapore Airlines Distance: 8,770 miles, Flight time: 17 hours, 50 minutes. (6). San Francisco (SFO) -Bangalore (BLR), airline: United Airlines Distance: 8,701 miles. Flight Time: 17 hours, 25 minutes, the new route is scheduled to launch at the end of May.
(7). Houston (IAH) -Sydney (SYD), airline: United Airlines Distance: 8,596 miles Flight Time: 17 hours, 45 minutes, this route is scheduled to be booked from April, but only in very limited numbers due to border controls and regulations. (8). Dallas / Fort Worth (DFW) -Sydney (SYD), airline: Qantas Distance: 8,578 miles. Flight Time: 17 hours, 15 minutes, this route is scheduled to be booked again from July, although that is subject to change.
9. New York (JFK) -Manila (MNL), airline: Philippine Airlines Distance: 8,520 miles Flight time: 16 hours, 55 minutes. (10). San Francisco (SFO) -Singapore (SIN), airlines: Singapore Airlines and United Airlines Distance: 8,446 miles. Flight Time: 17 hours; 17 hours, 35 minutes (depending on the airline) Singapore Airlines currently operates flights, while United Airlines is scheduled to resume in April. [photo special]
