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The world’s longest nonstop flights, updated

June 14, 2023
6 min read
Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 climbing out of runway 27
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Ultra-long-haul flights are back in the air after a brief pause during the pandemic. These flights, which can take as long as 19 hours, connect some of the world's biggest cities without a stop in an intermediate hub.

Singapore Airlines has long been known for operating some of the world's longest flights. The carrier connects Singapore with two New York City-area airports on a daily basis, and both routes top the list of the world's longest flights.

Other carriers have recently launched new and interesting ultra-long-haul routes, including Air New Zealand's new flight from New York to Auckland, New Zealand, which took off last September.

While Air New Zealand was a newcomer to the top 10 list last year, Qantas is giving the airline a run for its money by launching its own route from New York to Auckland this week. At 8,829 miles, it will tie with Air New Zealand's service as the world's fifth-longest flight.

Qantas is no stranger to ultra-long-haul flying. (It's just too bad its existing wide-body fleet doesn't yet feature Wi-Fi.) The airline also holds the title for the world's third, fourth and 10th longest flights; in a few years, it might also hold the record for the longest.

That's because Qantas' "Project Sunrise" routes will include nonstop service from Sydney to both London (10,573 miles) and New York (9,950 miles). Although the airline ran proof-of-concept tests in 2019, those flights are not expected to launch until at least 2025, so they don't make the list yet.

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So, what are the world's longest routes right now?

Here are the top 10 longest routes operating in June 2023 measured by statute miles as calculated by travel data firm OAG. (Note: For consistency, all mileage calculations come courtesy of OAG. Other data providers may show slightly different mileage calculations depending on their methodology.) Duration of flight data comes from Cirium, an aviation data service.

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CIRIUM

We've listed the flight that typically has the longest scheduled flying time, normally the one that flies in the direction of typical head winds. Given geopolitical tensions associated with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, some actual flight times might be considerably longer than what is listed as airlines avoid Russian airspace. Other routes that might not normally make the cut — such as Cathay Pacific's New York-to-Hong Kong route — are flying longer-than-normal flight paths as they also seek to avoid Russian airspace.

Additionally, keep in mind that the listed times are those that are blocked in airline schedules; during actual travel, flights can be shorter or longer depending on the winds.

Scroll down to see the full list, and we'll update it regularly as new routes begin and suspended ones resume.

1. Singapore Airlines: New York to Singapore

ETHAN KLAPPER/THE POINTS GUY

  • Route: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).
  • Flight number: SQ 23/24.
  • Aircraft flying: Airbus A350-900ULR.
  • Calculated distance: 9,527 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 18 hours, 50 minutes.

2. Singapore Airlines: Newark to Singapore

Singapore Airbus on runway
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
  • Route: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to SIN.
  • Flight number: SQ 21/22.
  • Aircraft flying: Airbus A350-900ULR.
  • Calculated distance: 9,525 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 18 hours, 45 minutes.

3. Qantas: Perth, Australia, to London

QANTAS AIRWAYS

  • Route: Perth Airport (PER) to Heathrow Airport (LHR).
  • Flight number: QF 9/10.
  • Aircraft flying: Boeing 787-9.
  • Calculated distance: 9,009 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 17 hours, 20 minutes.

4. Qantas: Dallas to Melbourne, Australia

ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
  • Route: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Melbourne Airport (MEL).
  • Flight number: QF 21/22.
  • Aircraft flying: Boeing 787-9.
  • Calculated distance: 8,990 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 17 hours, 35 minutes.

5. Air New Zealand: New York to Auckland


JAMES D. MORGAN/GETTY IMAGES

  • Route: JFK to Auckland Airport (AKL).
  • Flight number: NZ 1/2.
  • Aircraft flying: Boeing 787-9.
  • Calculated distance: 8,829 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 17 hours, 35 minutes.

5. Qantas: New York to Auckland

QANTAS
  • Route: JFK to AKL.
  • Flight number: QF 3/4.
  • Aircraft flying: Boeing 787-9.
  • Calculated distance: 8,829 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 17 hours, 30 minutes.

6. Emirates: Dubai to Auckland

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
  • Route: Dubai International Airport (DXB) to AKL.
  • Flight number: EK 448/449.
  • Aircraft flying: Airbus A380-800.
  • Calculated distance: 8,819 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 17 hours, 5 minutes.

7. Singapore Airlines: Los Angeles to Singapore

NICOLAS ECONOMOU/NURPHOTO

  • Route: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to SIN.
  • Flight number: SQ 35/36/37/38.
  • Aircraft flying: Airbus A350-900ULR.
  • Calculated distance: 8,759 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 17 hours, 10 minutes.

8. Air India: San Francisco to Bengaluru, India

ALBERTO RIVA/THE POINTS GUY
  • Route: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Kempegowda International Airport (BLR).
  • Flight number: AI 175/176.
  • Aircraft flying: Boeing 777-200LR.
  • Calculated distance: 8,688 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 17 hours, 55 minutes.

9. Qantas: Dallas to Sydney

Qantas airplane parked on an airport tarmac

ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

  • Route: DFW to Sydney Airport (SYD).
  • Flight number: QF 7/8.
  • Aircraft flying: Boeing 787-9.
  • Calculated distance: 8,576 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 16 hours, 45 minutes.

10: Philippine Airlines: New York to Manila, Philippines

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES
  • Route: JFK to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL).
  • Flight number: PR 126/127.
  • Aircraft flying: Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777-300ER.
  • Calculated distance: 8,507 miles.
  • Duration of flight: 17 hours.
Featured image by C.V. GRINSVEN/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.