Airlines are expanding their reach with record-breaking long-distance routes in October 2023. Among the most notable is Singapore Airlines’ flight connecting New York’s JFK Airport to Singapore’s Changi Airport, which covers an impressive distance of nearly 9,500 miles. This service holds the title for the world’s longest nonstop scheduled passenger flight, taking approximately 19 hours and 15 minutes from gate to gate.
The aircraft used for this route is the Airbus A350-900ULR, configured with 67 business class seats and 94 in premium economy. Notably, there is no economy class due to the challenges of profitability on such long flights. Singapore Airlines operates this route daily, highlighting the demand for ultra long-haul travel between the United States and Asia.
Key Long-Distance Flights from the US
Following closely behind is another long-haul service from Singapore Airlines, which connects Newark Liberty International Airport with Singapore. This route utilizes the same aircraft and layout as the New York service, with a comparable distance and duration.
While only two routes currently exceed 9,000 miles, airlines are preparing to introduce new ultra-long-haul services. Notably, Australian airline Qantas is set to launch nonstop flights from Sydney to New York as part of its ambitious Project Sunrise. This route is projected to cover nearly 9,900 miles, making it the longest commercial flight once operational. The first Airbus A350-1000 aircraft is expected to join Qantas’ fleet next year.
In addition to these services, several other long-haul routes from the US exceed 8,000 miles. Qantas operates a flight from Dallas Fort Worth to Melbourne, spanning approximately 8,973 miles, available four times a week. Another long service is Air New Zealand’s route from New York JFK to Auckland, covering around 8,813 miles.
Aircraft Innovations and Future Plans
Qantas is also enhancing its operations by reinstating its A380 services on the Dallas Fort Worth to Sydney route, which covers more than 8,500 miles. Following the resumption in August, the airline now operates four weekly flights with the A380 and three using the Boeing 787-9. Starting in January 2024, Qantas plans to increase this to daily services to accommodate peak travel seasons.
Emirates is another airline capitalizing on long-distance routes, deploying its A380 aircraft on several routes from the US, including Los Angeles to Dubai (8,334 miles), Houston to Dubai (8,165 miles), and San Francisco to Dubai (8,101 miles).
Furthermore, Qatar Airways operates the longest Airbus A350-1000 route from San Francisco to Doha, covering approximately 8,301 miles. The airline has been serving the US since 2007 and introduced the A350-1000 on this route in June 2020.
As airlines continue to innovate and expand their offerings, the aviation landscape is evolving to meet the demands of long-distance travelers, promising exciting developments in the industry.
