Up in the air
Flights are getting longer and longer. The world is becoming more interconnected, as airlines test out flights between increasingly farther destinations. That’s all well and good—non-stop flights are ideal for getting to your destination with as little hassle as possible—but it leads to some seriously long times in the air. As of press time, these are the 15 longest flights you can take. This list is in order of flight time, not milage—some flights that are shorter in mileage can have longer times, and vice versa, due to the rotation of the Earth and wind patterns. Plus, flight times vary for individual flights, of course.
New York, New York to Sydney, Australia
Total flight time: 19 hours, 16 minutes
Mileage: 10,066
Airline: Qantas
Australian airline Qantas debuted this flight for the first time in October 2019. Perkins Center in Sydney actually conducted a study to assess the effects on people of being in the air that long—especially since Qantas plans on launching some even longer flights soon.
Newark, New Jersey to Singapore
Total flight time: 18 hours, 45 minutes
Mileage: 9,521
Airline: Singapore Airlines
This was only the longest flight in the world for one year, until Qantas launched their New York–Sydney flight in October 2019. Fliers leaving from the Newark airport, the greater New York City area, would be on the plane for nearly 19 full hours before landing in the city-state of Singapore.
Auckland, New Zealand to Doha, Qatar
Total flight time: 17 hours, 40 minutes
Mileage: 9,032
Airline: Qatar Airways
This flight held the record until October 2018. Check out these things that airlines don’t want to tell you, but every flier should know.
Houston, Texas to Sydney, Australia
Total flight time: 17 hours, 35 minutes
Mileage: 8,596
Airline: United
Whether your flight is two hours or almost 18 hours, you should never, ever do these things on an airplane.
San Francisco, California to Singapore
Total flight time: 17 hours, 35 minutes
Mileage: 8,446
Airline: Singapore Airlines
Watch out for these things your flight attendant won’t tell you.
Perth, Australia to London, United Kingdom
Total flight time: 17 hours, 20 minutes
Mileage: 9,010
Airline: Qantas
Dallas, Texas to Sydney, Australia
Total flight time: 17 hours, 20 minutes
Mileage: 8,578
Airline: Qantas
Find out exactly what the difference is between a “direct” and a “non-stop” flight.
Auckland, New Zealand to Dubai, UAE
Total flight time: 17 hours, 5 minutes
Mileage: 8,824
Airline: Emirates Airlines
These flights (and flying in general) can be pricey, so you’ll want to know these travel secrets that will help you get the best airfare possible.
Los Angeles, California to Singapore
Total flight time: 17 hours
Mileage: 8,770
Airline: Singapore Airlines
New York, New York to Manila, Philippines
Total flight time: 16 hours, 50 minutes
Mileage: 8,520
Airline: Philippine Airlines
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Johannesburg, South Africa to Atlanta, Georgia
Total flight time: 16 hours, 50 minutes
Mileage: 8,439
Airline: Delta
Dallas, Texas to Hong Kong, China
Total flight time: 16 hours, 50 minutes
Mileage: 8,119
Airline: American
How do pilots feel about long flights like this? Check out these secrets your pilot won’t tell you.
Toronto, Canada to Manila, Philippines
Total flight time: 16 hours, 40 minutes
Mileage: 8,221
Airline: Philippine Airlines
Dubai, UAE to Houston, Texas
Total flight time: 16 hours, 35 minutes
Mileage: 8,164
Airline: Emirates Airlines
These flight times might seem crazy, sure, but wait till you read these crazy requests real people have made on airplanes.