Though Singapore Air's 18-hour nonstop flight from Newark to Singapore was suspended last year, there are still plenty of ultra-long flights to choose from. Here are ten of the world's longest flights, all with a minimum flying time of 16 hours or distance of at least 8,000 miles.
By Barbara Peterson, Condé Nast Traveler
10. UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT 117/118Newark to Hong Kong Flying time: 16 hoursDistance: 8,078 milesAircraft type: B777-200EROn this, its longest route, United has a fully loaded Business First section, with trademark flat beds, plus-size video screens with 150 hours of on-demand programming, power ports, and USB chargers. The carrier is also preparing to roll out overwater wifi connectivity for its transpacific services.
9. QANTAS FLIGHT 7/8Sydney-Dallas Flying time: 16 hoursDistance: 8,575 milesAircraft type: B747-400The world champ by miles covered, QF7 from Sydney is operated with the newest extended range version of the iconic 747—which ushered in the whole concept of ultra-long flights decades ago. The three-cabin layout features 58 flat beds in business, 36 seats in premium economy, and 270 in economy. All classes feature the Aussie carrier’s trademark ergonomically correct seats, and for those who want to stretch their legs, there’s a self-serve snack bar. Due to wind conditions, the giant craft can only fly the route nonstop in one direction (to the U.S.). in the opposite direction, it flies Dallas to Brisbane, before continuing on to Sydney.
8. CATHAY PACIFIC FLIGHT830/831, 840/841, 845/846New York-Hong Kong8. CATHAY PACIFIC FLIGHT 890/899Newark-Hong KongFlying time: 16 hours, 5 minutesDistance: 8,078 milesAircraft type: B777-300ERMarathon fliers appreciate that Cathay operates a virtual shuttle of super-long flights from New York to the Far East, three nonstops a day from JFK, and starting in March, one daily from Newark. Cathay offers cuisine influenced by top Hong Kong chefs, and in addition to award-winning first and business class cabins, a premium economy cabin that can take the sting out of sitting in coach.
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6. SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS FLIGHT 203/204Johannesburg-New York Flying time: 16 hours, 15 minutesDistance: 7,954 MilesAircraft type: A340-600SAA flies this super-long route with a hardy four-engine Airbus A340-600, equipped with 45 business flat beds and 275 economy seats. In coach, a 2-4-2 layout lessens claustrophobia by reducing the number of middle seats.
5. QATAR AIRWAYS FLIGHT 77/78Doha-Houston Flying time: 16 hours, 20 minutesDistance: 8,016 milesAircraft type: 777-200LRQatar shuttles between the two energy capitals with a 259-seat 777 with just two classes—meaning that those who nab one of the 42 flat seats in business get a generous seat pitch of up to 78 inches, in a 2–2–2 seat layout. Coach class has 217 seats, also with above-average pitch of 34 inches in a 3-3-3 configuration, and all fliers get amenities kits with eyeshades, socks, and other "essentials" for the long haul.
4. EMIRATES FLIGHT 211/212Dubai-Houston Flying time: 16 hours, 20 minutesDistance: 8,168 milesAircraft type: 777-200LRTo Houston, Emirates flies the long range, 266-seat 777, which features 8 in first class and 42 in business. Oil tycoons will appreciate the “do not disturb” signs, personal mini-bars, and on-demand dining in first class; business class fliers get privacy screens and classy leather seat-beds with built-in massage. All classes feature “ice”, Emirates’ onboard entertainment system offering up to 1,500 channels of content.
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3. ETIHAD FLIGHT 170/171Los Angeles-Abu Dhabi (starting June 1) Flying time: 16 hours, 30 minutesDistance: 8,390 milesAircraft type: B777-200LRWith this new route connecting the desert boom town of Abu Dhabi with L.A., Etihad is offering generous legroom in all classes: 8 First Class suites, 40 Business Class flatbed seats, and 189 Economy Class seats. For families, there’s a unique “Flying Nanny” program to care for the littlest passengers so parents can get some respite from endless pleas of “are we there yet?”
2. EMIRATES FLIGHT 215/216Dubai-Los Angeles Flying time: 16 hours, 35 minutesDistance: 8,339 milesAircraft type: A380The airline recently upgraded the equipment to a double-decker A380, with 14 first class suites, 76 flat beds in business class, and 399 seats in coach. There’s also an upstairs cocktail lounge for premium fliers. Passengers in all classes get a generous baggage allowance and inflight wifi and mobile phone connectivity.
1. DELTA FLIGHT 200/201Atlanta-Johannesburg Flying time: 16 hours, 55 minutes (approximate, depends on direction and season)Distance: 8,439 milesAircraft type: B777-200LRThe longest flight in the world on a two-engine plane, Delta offers fliers three classes of service: 45 fully flat Business Elite Seats, 36 Economy Comfort with extra legroom, and 188 seats in coach with standard legroom. There’s enough time to consume three full meals, watch five movies, or, if you settle into the one of pod like lie-flat beds, you could even get the equivalent of a full night’s sleep. The carrier loads extra water and snacks—and serves both American and South African specialties. Related ArticlesSingapore Airlines to End World's Longest FlightOnboard the World's Longest Non-Stop FlightTop Airlines: Readers Choice Awards
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