The United States is preparing for a significant increase in international long-haul flights this November, with a total of 576 daily scheduled departures. Among these, narrowbody aircraft will play a smaller role, with only 30 flights utilizing such planes. Notably, the Boeing 737 MAX will account for seven flights, according to analysis from OAG.
The data reveals that one in every 83 daily international long-haul services will operate using the MAX, with both the MAX 8 and MAX 9 models being utilized. Airlines such as Copa Airlines, Gol, and Icelandair are the primary operators of these aircraft. United Airlines, while less involved in November, typically increases its MAX operations during the summer months, especially from the East Coast.
Longest Boeing 737 MAX Flights in November
Leading the list of the longest flights is Icelandair, which offers a service from Keflavik to Orlando, taking up to 8 hours and 20 minutes. This journey covers a distance of 3,071 nautical miles (approximately 5,687 kilometers) each way. Interestingly, Icelandair’s newly launched route to Miami, which has a scheduled time of 8 hours and 40 minutes, does not feature in this list as it will utilize an A321LR instead of the MAX.
The ten longest flights using the Boeing 737 MAX in November range from 7 hours and 24 minutes to the aforementioned 8 hours and 20 minutes. It’s important to note that several other routes nearly made the cut but fell just short in terms of time. For example, services from WestJet and Copa Airlines feature prominently, but their flight times were just minutes less than the listed entries.
The flights with their respective maximum block times are as follows:
– 8h 20m: Keflavik to Orlando – Icelandair (operating six to daily flights with the MAX 8)
– 8h 15m: Brasília to Orlando – Gol (daily MAX 8)
– 8h 10m: Keflavik to Denver – Icelandair (daily MAX 8)
– 8h 05m: Fortaleza to Orlando – Gol (weekly MAX 8)
– 8h 00m: Keflavik to Seattle – Icelandair (limited MAX 8 flights)
– 7h 54m: Panama City to San Francisco – United (daily MAX 8) and Copa (daily MAX 9)
– 7h 51m: Liberia to Seattle – Alaska Airlines (weekly MAX 8)
– 7h 30m: Edmonton to Honolulu – WestJet (weekly MAX 8)
– 7h 30m: Calgary to Honolulu – WestJet (three weekly MAX 8 flights)
– 7h 24m: Calgary to Kona – WestJet (three weekly MAX 8 flights)
Copa Airlines and Alaska Airlines’ Noteworthy Services
Copa Airlines has been connecting its hub in Panama City to San Francisco for a decade. Currently, it offers daily flights, but OAG data indicates that in 2018 and early 2019, there were as many as three daily services. The airline’s flight CM382 departs Central America at 18:27 and arrives in San Francisco at 23:17 local time, taking 7 hours and 50 minutes. The return flight, CM383, leaves at 00:36 and lands back in Panama City at 10:46. This service is particularly vital for connectivity, with around 70% of passengers transferring to other flights, with Lima being the most popular destination.
Alaska Airlines has also made its mark by launching flights from Seattle to Liberia in December 2024, coinciding with the holiday season. This route, which provides access to Costa Rica’s natural attractions, has a maximum block time of 7 hours and 51 minutes in November. However, it is noteworthy that from March 22 until May 10, 2025, this time will extend to an impressive 9 hours and 3 minutes, reflecting a possible scheduling or timezone error.
As the month progresses, the operational dynamics of these long-haul flights will showcase the evolving landscape of the aviation industry, particularly for the Boeing 737 MAX. With a mix of established routes and newer services, airlines are adapting to meet the demand for international travel while maximizing the capabilities of their aircraft.
