Over the last few decades, airlines have been battling against each other for long-haul travelers. With the maturity of aviation technology, new aircraft have become more fuel efficient and reliable than ever. The technological advances translate into low operating costs and superior capability for airlines to operate long-haul routes. This article will dive deep into the top 5 world’s longest flight routes by miles.
The non-stop ultra-long-haul flights between distant city pairs offer more passenger convenience than stopover flights. It saves time for passengers and avoids the hassle of changing no. of stops to reach the final destination.
Top 5 longest airline routes in the world by miles
1. John F. Kennedy Airport-Singapore Changi Airport
- Route: JFK-SIN
- Distance: 9,527 miles
- Operator: Singapore Airlines
- Aircraft used: Airbus A350-900ULR
The longest active scheduled passenger air route by miles is between New York John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Singapore Changi (SIN). JFK-SIN is a commercial flight route with the greatest distance between two cities at 9,527 miles (15,349km). The operator of this exceptionally long non-stop route is Singapore Airlines, the flag carrier of Singapore. Flight SQ23/24 performs this world’s longest airline route at a scheduled flying duration of 18 hours and 45 minutes.
To fly 9,527 miles non-stop, the aircraft must be ultra-long-range and fuel-efficient. Singapore Airlines uses 161-seat Airbus A350-900ULR featuring two cabin classes-67, business class seats, and 94 premium economy.
2. Newark Liberty Airport-Singapore Changi Airport
- Route: EWR-SIN
- Distance: 9,525 miles
- Operator: Singapore Airlines
- Aircraft used: Airbus A350-900ULR
Newark (EWR)-Singapore Changi (SIN), the world’s second-longest flight route, is just slightly behind (2 miles shorter) in air distance at 9,525 miles. It is another ultra-long-haul service of Singapore Airlines currently in operation. Flight SQ21, operated by Airbus A350-900ULR, connects the New York Newark Liberty to Singapore Changi in 18 hours and 45 minutes.
3. London Heathrow Airport- Perth
- Route: LHR-PER
- Distance: 9,009 miles
- Operator: Qantas Airways
- Aircraft used: Boeing 787-9
Ranking third in the top 5, we have a flight routing between London Heathrow (LHR) and Perth (PER). The LHR-PER ultra-long-haul service covers a distance of 9,009 miles. Qantas Airways, the flag carrier of Australia, operates the non-stop flight from the UK’s capital to the capital of Western Australia.
Unlike Singapore routes, the scheduled passenger flight on the LHR-PER route is served by US-built Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The B787-9 jet is the most advanced long-haul aircraft in the Qantas fleet, fitted with GEnx-1874/75/P2 engines. Qantas Airways Flight QF 9 operates the London-Perth service carrying 236 passengers (42 business, 28 Premium Economy, and 166 Economy seats). The flight normally takes around 16 hours and 45 minutes at an average cruise speed of Mach 0.85.
4. Tullamarine International Airport to Dallas Fort Worth Airport
- Route: MEL-DFW
- Distance: 8,992 miles
- Operator: Qantas Airways
- Aircraft used: Boeing 787-9
The fourth longest airline route currently in operation (since December 2) is none other than Melbourne to Dallas (MEL-DFW). It is another Qantas route originating from the coastal capital of southeastern Victoria to Dallas, Fort Worth.
The 8992-mile-long connection between Melbourne and Dallas complements Qantas’ Sydney-Dallas service. Australia’s flagship airline launched the maiden MEL-DFW flight on December 2. Currently, Qantas operates four weekly flights on the fourth-longest airline route in the world using the 787 Dreamliner.
The flight connecting Tullamarine International Airport (MEL) to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) is 17 hours and 30 minutes long.
5. Auckland Airport to New York JFK
- Route: AKL-JFK
- Distance: 8,829 miles
- Operator: Air New Zealand
- Aircraft used: Boeing 787-9
Another Antipodean originating route that makes it to the top 5 list is Air Zealand’s Auckland to New York JFK connection. The 8,829-mile-long passenger flight of Air New Zealand links two distant city pairs- Auckland in Australia and US’ New York.
The AKL-JFK route was the fourth-longest before Qantas Airways started operating the MEL-DFW service on December 2. Nonetheless, Auckland to New York JFK still holds a place in the Top 5, covering 8,829 miles in mere 16 hours and 15 minutes.
Air New Zealand, the flag carrier of New Zealand, uses Boeing 787-9 to connect Auckland to New York City. The state-of-the-art B787-9 can accommodate 215 passengers for this hyper-long route.
Other longest flight routes in the world by miles operated
Apart from the routes above, there are other flight routings with the greatest mile distance between two points. These include Dubai-Auckland (8,770 miles), Singapore to Los Angeles (8,770 miles), Bangalore to San Francisco (8701 miles), Houston to Sydney (8,596 miles), etc.
