The world’s longest nonstop flights, updated
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Singapore Airlines currently operates the longest flight in the world: a whopping 9,527-mile nonstop journey from New York to Singapore. The carrier also operates a five-times-weekly hop from Newark to Singapore (which is the world's second-longest flight by about 2 miles) as well as another extremely long journey from Los Angeles to — you guessed it — Singapore.
As the airline industry continues to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, other carriers also announced some new and interesting ultra-long-haul routes for 2022. There is a new Air New Zealand flight from New York to Auckland — which begins Saturday — and a Qantas flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Melbourne, Australia. Additionally, another notable ultra-long-haul route — Qantas’ nonstop between London and Perth, Australia — has resumed after its pandemic-related suspension.
There are two new routes expected later this decade that would topple the current title-holders. Qantas' "Project Sunrise" routes would see nonstop service from Sydney to both New York and London. 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 right now.
So, what are the world’s longest routes? You’ve come to the right place to find out. Here are the top 10 longest routes 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.
Have an upcoming vacation in mind? See how close you are to paying for it with points with the free TPG App!
We’ve listed the flight that typically has the longest scheduled flying time, normally the one that flies in the direction where headwinds are normal. 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 what the airlines block in their 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.
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free biweekly Aviation newsletter.
1. Singapore Airlines: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
- Flight number: SQ 23.
- Aircraft flying: Airbus A350-900ULR.
- Calculated distance: 9,527 miles.
- Duration of flight: 18 hours, 50 minutes.
2. Singapore Airlines: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
- Flight number: SQ 21.
- Aircraft flying: Airbus A350-900ULR.
- Calculated distance: 9,525 miles.
- Duration of flight: 18 hours, 45 minutes.
3. Qantas: Perth Airport (PER) to Heathrow Airport (LHR)
- Flight number: QF 9/10.
- Aircraft flying: Boeing 787-9.
- Calculated distance: 8,988 miles.
- Duration of flight: 17 hours, 15 minutes.
4. Air New Zealand: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Auckland Airport (AKL)
- Flight numbers: NZ 1/2.
- Aircraft flying: Boeing 787-9.
- Calculated distance: 8,829 miles.
- Duration of flight: 17 hours, 35 minutes.
5. Singapore Airlines: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
- Flight numbers: SQ 35/37.
- Aircraft flying: Airbus A350-900ULR.
- Calculated distance: 8,759 miles.
- Duration of flight: 17 hours, 10 minutes.
6. Qantas: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Sydney Airport (SYD)
- Flight number: QF 8.
- Aircraft flying: Boeing 787-9.
- Calculated distance: 8,576 miles.
- Duration of flight: 16 hours, 45 minutes.
7. United Airlines and Singapore Airlines: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
- Flight number: UA 1/SQ 33.
- Aircraft flying: Boeing 787-9 (UA)/A350-900 (SQ).
- Calculated distance: 8,435 miles.
- Duration of flight: 17 hours, 0 minutes (UA)/16 hours, 40 minutes (SQ)*.
* The difference in duration reflects different block times assigned by United and Singapore to account for taxi time on the ground and other possible delays.
8. Delta Air Lines: O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Flight number: DL 201.
- Aircraft flying: Airbus A350-900.
- Calculated distance: 8,434 miles.
- Duration of flight: 16 hours, 20 minutes.
9. Emirates: Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Flight number: EK 215.
- Aircraft flying: Airbus A380.
- Calculated distance: 8,323 miles.
- Duration of flight: 16 hours, 20 minutes.
10. Saudia: King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Flight number: SV 41.
- Aircraft flying: Boeing 777-300ER.
- Calculated distance: 8,317 miles.
- Duration of flight: 16 hours, 10 minutes.
Additional reporting by Zach Wichter.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.
Rewards Rate
6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.Earn 125,000 points75,000 pointsAnnual Fee
$125Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.