Air Greenland breaks record with nearly 8-hour turboprop flight
On Monday, Air Greenland operated a nonstop seven-hour and 52-minute flight from Copenhagen (CPH) in Denmark to Nuuk (GOH) in Greenland. What made the flight especially unusual was that it was operated by an Air Greenland De Havilland Dash 8-200 aircraft.
As first reported by One Mile at a Time, the 23-year old aircraft, registered OY-GRP, completed the 2,208-mile journey as flight GL6493. This is a flight of epic proportions by an aircraft that we're most accustomed to seeing flying short-haul, and more often than not, domestic routes.
Usually, the only nonstop route from Greenland to Denmark is operated by an A330-200 from Kangerlussuaq (SFJ) to Copenhagen (CPH). However, that plane was undergoing maintenance in March, so Air Greenland's eight-hour flight operated via a quick stop in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Since then, Air Greenland, like many other airlines across the world, has stopped operating passenger flights. The airline has continued to operate the route as it still acts as a crucial link for medical staff and the transportation of equipment to help in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak.
Related: The first commercial flight to remote Saint Helena
The return, record-setting journey, with just two pilots, one flight attendant and one doctor on board took seven hours and 52 minutes of flying time -- making it very likely to be the world's longest ever Dash 8-200 flight. Because the aircraft was so empty, it was able to fly the route without a stop.
Each to their own, of course, but flying on a Dash-8 for that long is probably not something you'd often find on an AvGeek's flying bucket list.
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees