Over the decades, the aviation industry has reached nearly every corner of the globe. And with the growth of the sector has come increased competition among aircraft industry manufacturers to produce the finest and most technologically advanced commercial aircraft.
The demand for flying longer and longer distances shows no sign of abating. And as more people take advantage of long-haul flights, airlines have employed varying marketing tactics to attract passengers, from cabin upgrades and comfortable seats to non-stop flights over large distances.
When it comes to flights, the length of them can be defined in various ways, Typically, the Great-Circle distance between the origin and destination is used, but alternative benchmarks include the duration of the flight as well as the actual distance flown.
The term ‘longest flight’ is often used for flights that are passenger planes, with the schedules published in advance and tickets available to purchase.
The longest scheduled commercial passenger first recorded took off in 1914 and covered a distance of 34 kilometers between the Florida cities of St. Petersburg and Tampa carrying only one passenger other than the pilot, the flight lasted for about 20 minutes.
Today, long-haul flights last considerably longer. To many people,18 hours on a plane may sound awful. But for others, jetting around the world and spending long periods in the air is an adventure not to be missed.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 longest non-stop flights in 2022 and how they attract passengers.
1 – Singapore Airlines Singapore-New York flight
First place is taken by Singapore Airlines (SIA1) (SINGY) flying from Singapore (SIN) to New York (JFK) under call sign SQ23 on an Airbus A350 covering a journey of 9,537 miles with a scheduled flight duration of 18 hours, 50 minutes. Plenty of time to watch movies and enjoy all those lovely air miles.
2 – Singapore Airlines Singapore – Newark flight
Second place is also occupied by Singapore Airlines (SIA1) (SINGY) with a journey of 9,523 miles from Singapore (SIN) to Newark (EWR) on an Airbus A350. The flight is scheduled under call sign SQ21 and takes approximately 18 hours, and 45 minutes. The flight crosses 10 time zones.
3 – Qantas Airways Perth – London flight
In at third is Qantas Airways flying from Perth (PER) to London (LHR) – a journey of 9,010 miles on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner scheduled under flight number QF 9. The maximum flight time is 17 hours, 15 minutes.
4 – Qantas Airways Melbourne – Dallas flight
In fourth place is a trip from Melbourne (MEL) to Dallas (DFW) on Qantas Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner, traveling 8,992 miles and flying under call sign QF 22. The approximate flight duration is 17 hours and 35 minutes. The airline awards Alaska miles to its business class and first-class passengers. The flight is scheduled to launch on December 2, 2022.
5 – Air New Zealand Auckland – New York flight
Number five is Auckland (AKL) to New York (JFK) on Air New Zealand, The journey spans 17 hours, 50 minutes over 8,828 miles. The airline will fly its Boeing 787 Dreamliner under the scheduled call sign NZ 1, and the flight is planned to launch on September 17, 2022.
6 – Emirates Dubai – Auckland flight
Sixth on the list is Emirates, flying from Dubai (DXB) to Auckland (AKL). The flight covers a distance of 8,824 miles in around 17 hours, and 10 minutes. Flight EK 449 will resume on December 2, 2022. Emirates plans to operate on Boeing 777 aircraft.
7 – Singapore Airlines Singapore – Los Angeles flight
In at seven is Singapore Airlines (SIA1) (SINGY) operating an Airbus A350 from Singapore (SIN) to Los Angeles (LAX). It covers 8,770 miles in 17 hours, and 50 minutes under the call sign SQ 37.
8 – Air India Bangalore – San Francisco flight
Air India is eighth, going from Bangalore (BLR) to San Francisco (SFO) on a Boeing 777, traversing 8,701 miles in 17 hours, 40 minutes, and registered under flight number UA 152. The airline offers Air Canada (ADH2) points to its business class passengers.
9 – Qantas Airways Darwin – London flight
Number nine is from Darwin (DRW) to London (LHR) with Qantas Airways which flies its passengers some 8,620 miles in 17 hours and 55 minutes on its Dreamliner Boeing 787.
10 – United Airlines Houston – Sydney flight
The tenth longest non-stop direct flight is offered by United Airlines and goes from Houston (IAH) to Sydney (SYD). United Airlines operates on Boeing 787 over 8,569 miles in around 17 hours and 35 minutes. The flight is scheduled and expected to be operative through the same route again on October 28, 2022.
The flights listed here are ranked by the shortest routes between two destinations on the earth’s surface. Flights are customarily rated by distance rather than flight duration as there are several factors involved when it comes to flight time.
Flying non-stop is sometimes confused with flying the shortest distance to a specific destination, but that’s not always an accurate picture. Flight duration can be significantly affected by weather, headwinds, the routes adopted, and the capabilities of the aircraft in operation.
In the future, Qantas Airways plans to conduct the longest commercial flight between Sydney (SYD) and London (LHR) on Airbus A350. The flight may last more than 19 hours, breaking and setting new world records. The airline plans to start flights by the end of 2025.
Who knows what else will happen in the 21st century?
