Longest Non-Stop Flights You Can Take
Modern aviation has made it possible to travel between distant continents without ever touching down. What once required multiple refueling stops and days of travel can now be accomplished in a single flight lasting nearly 19 hours.
Airlines compete fiercely for the title of longest route, using advanced aircraft like the Airbus A350-900ULR and Boeing 787 Dreamliner to push the boundaries of what’s possible. These ultra-long-haul flights connect global business hubs and far-flung destinations with unprecedented efficiency.
Here is a list of 13 non-stop flights that will test your patience, your bladder, and your ability to find something good on the in-flight entertainment system.
New York JFK to Singapore
Singapore Airlines holds the crown for the world’s longest commercial flight, connecting New York’s JFK Airport to Singapore Changi. The route covers 9,537 miles and takes approximately 18 hours and 50 minutes, operated by an Airbus A350-900ULR aircraft.
The JFK service launched in November 2020 and crosses 12 time zones during the journey. Singapore Airlines configures this aircraft with only business class and premium economy seats, sparing passengers the indignity of spending nearly a full day cramped in standard economy.
Multiple meal services and specialized cabin lighting help passengers adjust to the dramatic time difference.
Newark to Singapore
At 9,534 miles, Singapore Airlines’ Newark route is essentially tied for the longest flight in the world. This was actually the world’s longest route from 2004 to 2013 and again from 2018 to 2020, before the JFK service launched.
The airline originally operated this route using the Airbus A340-500 before retiring that aircraft and switching to the more efficient A350-900ULR. At around 18 hours and 45 minutes, passengers have plenty of time to work through the entire film library, take a nap, and still have hours to spare.
Auckland to Doha
Qatar Airways connects New Zealand to the Middle East with this mammoth flight covering approximately 9,026 miles. When this route launched in February 2017, it briefly held the title of world’s longest commercial flight.
The service was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed in 2024, though schedules and frequency may vary from pre-pandemic levels. Qatar operates the route using its Airbus A350-1000, which features the airline’s acclaimed Qsuite business class with sliding privacy doors and fully lie-flat beds.
For travelers heading between Oceania and the Middle East or Europe, this flight eliminates the need for awkward connections in Asia.
Perth to London
Qantas made aviation history in 2018 by launching the first regular commercial non-stop service between Australia and the United Kingdom. The flight covers approximately 9,009 miles in about 17 hours and 45 minutes using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
This route effectively shrinks the traditional ‘Kangaroo Route’ that previously required stops in Asia or the Middle East. The service was briefly paused in 2024 due to tensions in the Middle East, temporarily requiring a fueling stop in Singapore.
For Australians heading to Europe, this flight transformed what was once a grueling multi-stop journey into a single overnight experience.
Auckland to Dubai
Emirates has been connecting Auckland to Dubai non-stop since 2016, originally using a Boeing 777-200LR before switching to an Airbus A380 six months later due to high demand. The flight covers approximately 8,824 miles in around 16 hours and 40 minutes, making it one of the longest A380 routes in the world.
The double-decker aircraft allows Emirates to offer its signature onboard lounge and first-class private suites on this ultra-long route. Following a pandemic pause, Emirates reinstated its non-stop A380 service to Auckland in December 2022.
Los Angeles to Singapore
Singapore Airlines’ Los Angeles route is one of the older ultra-long-haul services, with non-stop A350-900ULR flights launching in 2018. The route covers approximately 8,770 miles in about 16 hours and 10 minutes.
Like the New York routes, this flight offers only business class and premium economy cabins to keep passengers comfortable during the extended Pacific crossing. Singapore Airlines operates two daily flights on this transpacific route, providing flexible options for travelers between the American West Coast and Southeast Asia.
Perth to Paris
Qantas added this route in mid-2024, connecting Western Australia directly to France amid increased European travel demand. The flight covers approximately 8,864 miles in about 17 hours and 20 minutes using a Boeing 787-9.
Perth’s isolation—it’s actually closer to Indonesia than to Sydney—makes it an ideal departure point for ultra-long-haul routes to Europe. This service gives Australian travelers direct access to the European continent without routing through traditional Middle Eastern or Asian hubs.
San Francisco to Bengaluru
Air India’s San Francisco to Bengaluru flight is not only the longest route operated by the airline but also the longest Boeing 777-200LR service currently in operation. The flight covers approximately 8,700 miles in about 17 hours and 20 minutes, connecting Silicon Valley with India’s technology hub.
This route serves the enormous demand for travel between the American and Indian tech sectors, carrying business travelers and families between the two regions. Air India’s ongoing fleet modernization program may eventually see newer aircraft on this route, but for now the 777-200LR’s impressive range makes it ideal for the journey.
Dallas to Melbourne
Qantas launched this direct service in 2022 using its Boeing 787 Dreamliner, covering approximately 8,577 miles in about 17 hours and 35 minutes. The airline partnered with American Airlines on this route, taking advantage of American’s hub in Dallas for easy connections throughout the United States.
Qantas has announced plans to switch to using the Airbus A380 on this route starting in August 2025, operating four times weekly, though schedules remain subject to operational confirmation. The larger aircraft would provide passengers with more cabin space and amenities for the lengthy transpacific crossing.
Shenzhen to Mexico City
China Southern Airlines launched this route in July 2024, establishing the first non-stop service between China and Mexico without an intermediate stop. The flight represents China’s longest non-stop commercial flight, covering approximately 8,455 miles using an Airbus A350.
Outbound flights operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Previously, passengers traveling between China and Mexico faced one or even two layovers with total travel times approaching 40 hours.
This route links China’s manufacturing hub with Mexico’s capital, facilitating business and cultural exchanges across the Pacific.
Auckland to New York JFK
Air New Zealand launched its ultra-long-haul service between Auckland and New York’s JFK Airport in 2022, with Qantas following suit in 2023. The route covers approximately 8,828 miles in around 17 hours and 40 minutes.
Both airlines now compete on this transpacific route, offering travelers multiple options for direct service between New Zealand and the American East Coast. The flight eliminates connections in Los Angeles or San Francisco that were previously required for New Zealand travelers heading to New York.
Houston to Sydney
United Airlines operates this direct service covering approximately 8,596 miles in about 17 hours and 30 minutes. The route connects the energy capital of the United States with Australia’s largest city, serving both business travelers and tourists.
United uses its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on this route, taking advantage of the aircraft’s fuel efficiency and passenger comfort features designed for ultra-long flights. This service provides an alternative to the more commonly used Los Angeles gateway for Australian travelers.
Manila to New York
Philippine Airlines operates the longest route from Southeast Asia to the American East Coast, covering approximately 8,520 miles. The carrier operates flights three times per week using its Airbus A350-900s configured with 295 passengers across three classes.
The route serves the large Filipino diaspora in the New York metropolitan area as well as business travelers between the two regions. The eastbound flight takes about 15 hours, while the westbound leg takes longer at around 16 to 17 hours due to prevailing winds.
The Future of Ultra-Long-Haul
These 13 routes represent the current frontier of commercial aviation, but even longer flights are on the horizon. Qantas is targeting 2026 or 2027 for its Project Sunrise routes connecting Sydney to both London and New York, with the Sydney to London service covering a staggering 10,573 miles and lasting over 20 hours.
The airline has been researching ways to help travelers combat jet lag on these extreme flights, including specially designed wellness spaces in the cabin. As aircraft technology continues to improve, the definition of what’s possible keeps expanding—though whether passengers actually want to spend 20 hours on a plane is another question entirely.
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