The 12 Longest Flights in the World—Because Who Doesn’t Love 18 Hours in the Air?

Have you ever wondered what the longest flight in the world is? Want to find out? If so, you’ve come to the right place. However, just how long these are going on may surprise you.

For example, did you know the longest active scheduled passenger flight is over 18 hours long and travels a total distance of over 9,500 miles (15,288 kilometers)? To learn more, here are 12 of the longest flights in the world.

New York City (JFK) – Singapore (SIN)

Let’s kickstart this list with the world’s longest active scheduled passenger flight. The route between the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City and Singapore Changi Airport currently holds the world record for the longest commercial flight in terms of time and distance.

Operated by Singapore Airlines, this route covers an impressive 9,537 miles (15,349 kilometers) and takes approximately 18 hours and 50 minutes to complete. For context, that’s almost six hours less than an entire day. Interestingly, it’s reported that this requires up to four pilots, so two pilots don’t have to fly for the whole duration. We don’t know about you, but that sounds terrible.

Singapore (SIN) – Newark (EWR)

Unsurprisingly, the second-longest flight also leaves Singapore and heads to the United States. This time, it leaves Singapore Changi Airport and arrives at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Unfortunately, this route is just 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) short of being the longest one.

Singapore Airlines also operates the Singapore to Newark route. The journey is 9,535 miles (15,238 kilometers) and takes approximately 18 hours and 25 minutes. If you were to catch this flight, you’d undoubtedly want to make sure your phone and tablet were charged and that you had plenty of movies to watch.

Tahiti (PPT) – Paris (CDG)

While the two flights from Singapore to Newark and New York City are currently the longest active scheduled passenger ones, they aren’t the longest on record. According to Wikipedia, the longest-ever scheduled passenger flight was Air Tahiti Nui’s TN64 on a Boeing 787-9 from Tahiti to Paris. It flew nonstop from Faa’a International Airport in Tahiti to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris in 16 hours and 20 minutes.

Despite taking over two hours less than the Singapore to United States flights, it traveled 9,765 miles (15,715 kilometers), making it the longest scheduled passenger one in history. Interestingly, this route used to stop at Los Angeles International Airport for refueling, but the airline decided not to stop in Los Angeles during the COVID-19 pandemic.

New York City (JFK) – Sydney (SYD)

It can’t claim to be the longest scheduled passenger flight in history just yet, but Qantas’ route between New York City in the United States and Sydney in Australia has the potential to smash the world’s longest flight record. According to Qantas, they’ve already tested a non-stop New York to Sydney flight with 52 people on board.

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This impressive feat clocked in at approximately 11,000 miles (17,750 kilometers) and took over 19 hours and 15 minutes to complete. It flies over 11 countries, and the boarding passengers experience two sunrises. More recently, Qantas announced plans for a direct 8,829-mile (14,200-kilometer) direct route to New York from Auckland, New Zealand, that it hopes to start running in 2025.

Robert Timm and John Cook’s 64-Day Flight

The next time you sit bored on a long-haul flight, spare a thought for Robert Timm and John Cook, who broke the record for the world’s longest plane flight without landing in 1958 and 1959. Unbelievably, the two pilots flew above Las Vegas for 64 days, 22 hours, and 19 minutes straight.

In total, their journey clocked over 150,000 miles (240,000 kilometers). For context, that’s the equivalent of flying around the Earth six times. Making the feat even more impressive, the pair would refuel the plane from a fuel truck while still in the air. That 18-hour flight to Singapore doesn’t sound so bad now, does it?

Jim Heth and Bill Burkhart’s 50-Day Flight

We can’t continue our list of the world’s longest flights without also mentioning Jim Heth and Bill Burkhart’s 50-day flight. Honestly, Heth and Burkhart must have had a bittersweet feeling regarding their world record attempt. They set the world record in August and September 1958 by flying for 50 days straight.

However, Timm and Cook broke their record less than four months later. Imagine flying for 1200 hours for someone to break the record within months. That’s got to hurt, but we can’t take away from their immense achievement. Like Timm and Cook, the two pilots refueled from a moving truck on the ground.

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Doha (DOH) – Auckland (AKL)

Moving back to scheduled passenger flights, the Doha to Auckland one is currently one of the world’s longest. It takes off from Doha International Airport in Doha, Qatar, and lands at Auckland International Airport in New Zealand. This route takes approximately 17 hours and 30 minutes, covering 9,032 miles (14,535 kilometers).

This is Qatar’s longest nonstop route at the time of writing. It was put on hold for three years during the COVID-19 pandemic but is now well back in action. Qatar Airlines operates the route, and passengers fly on an Airbus A350-1000. In terms of distance, you could drive across the full length of Route 66 at least three times.

Perth (PER) – London (LHR)

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This route is perfect if you’re looking for nonstop flights from Australia to Europe. Operated by Qantas, Australia’s most popular airline, it carries passengers directly from West Australia to London Heathrow Airport in the capital of England. You can easily reach most major cities in Europe and America from London.

According to the Qantas website, it takes approximately 17 hours and 45 minutes, travels more than 9,000 miles (14,498 kilometers), and costs a whopping 2,000 Australian Dollars ($1,343). Usually, there is only one direct flight between Perth Airport and London Heathrow daily, so you had better buy your tickets fast before they sell out.

Dallas (DFK) – Melbourne (MEL)

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Another long-distance flight route managed by Qantas is the route that connects Melbourne in Southeast Australia with Dallas in North Texas. Flying on a Boeing 787-9 passengers can travel between Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Melbourne Airport in approximately 17 hours and 35 minutes.

It covers 8,992 miles (14,472 kilometers) in total. That gives you plenty of time to watch your favorite movies and TV shows and tuck into delicious onboard cuisine. Unfortunately, there are only a few flights from Dallas to Melbourne every couple of days, so you’ll have to plan your trip carefully if it’s a route you want to take.

Auckland (AKL) – Dubai (DXB)

Emirates’ direct international flight from Auckland, New Zealand, to Dubai, United Arab Emirates is an excellent way to reach the Middle East. It takes over 17 hours and travels more than 8,800 miles (14,162 kilometers).

Suppose you’ve never traveled with Emirates before. In that case, you’re in for a real treat, especially if you can afford an upgrade from Economy. I’ve traveled in Economy on multiple Emirates flights, and the experience has been fantastic. The food is delicious, the seats are comfortable, and the entertainment options for long-haul are perfect. What more could we ask for?

Auckland (AKL) – New York City (JFK)

If you want to earn some serious air miles points, book a seat on an Air New Zealand from Auckland International Airport to the John F. Kennedy International Airport. Tickets cost approximately $1,000 per person, so you’ll quickly rack up points you can use to save money on future flights.

The price tag seems more reasonable because it is approximately 17 hours long and travels at least 8,800 miles (14,162 kilometers). Oh, and don’t forget, you’ll also receive complimentary food and drink. For context of how long it is, you could watch all six Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies during the flight.

Atlanta (ATL) – Johannesburg (JNB)

The 16-hour nonstop flight from Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States, to Johannesburg, South Africa, travels almost 8,500 miles (13,679 kilometers) and is operated by Delta Airlines. Other airlines also operate this route, but none of them are direct.

If you live in Atlanta, it allows you to reach the African continent relatively quickly. In less than a day, you can go from working in the busy city to exploring the African savannah on a wildlife safari. On a South African safari, you can spot the big five, which includes lions, rhinos, and elephants.