As flight technology advances (such as being able to hold more and burn less fuel) and long-haul carriers make improved efforts to provide a more comfortable journey (be that with jet lag–reducing lighting, serving healthier food, and enhancing business-class and economy seats for a more comfortable journey), the longest flights in the world are gradually getting even longer. The lengthiest now connect cities on opposite sides of the globe and are upwards of 17 hours.
When Australia’s national carrier Qantas debuts its Project Sunrise routes in 2025 (which will include nonstop service between Sydney and both London and New York, at 10,573 and 9,950 miles, respectively), they will be the longest flights in the world; the longer flight (London) will clock in at a staggering 20 hours.
What is the world’s longest flight?
Currently, the longest flight in the world is the 18 hour 50 minute-long route between New York City (JFK) and Singapore, operated by Singapore Airlines. It is 9,585-miles long and takes place on an Airbus A350-900ULR, which is configured with 67 pod-style business-class seats and 94 premium economy seats—there are no regular economy seats.
As of fall 2023, the world’s longest flight is between New York City and this city-state in Asia.
Courtesy of Hu Chen/Unsplash
The longest flights in the world
Whether you love the idea of knocking out most or all of your travel time (and likely a few seasons of your favorite show) in one go or would rather avoid an ultra-long-haul journey and break it up with a layover (stopover programs are a great way to sneak in added sightseeing between two legs of a trip), here are the 10 current longest flights in the world by hours.
| Ranking | Flight path | Airline | Distance | Estimated flight time | Aircraft |
| 1. | New York (JFK) to Singapore (SIN) | Singapore Airlines | 9,585 air miles | 18 hours, 50 minutes | Airbus A350-900ULR |
| 2. | Singapore (SIN) to Newark (EWR) | Singapore Airlines | 9,525 air miles | 18 hours, 45 minutes | Airbus A350-900ULR |
| 3. | Los Angeles (LAX) to Singapore (SIN) | Singapore Airlines | 8,770 air miles | 17 hours, 50 minutes | Airbus A350-900ULR |
| 4. | San Francisco (SFO) to Bangalore, India (BLR) | Air India | 8,701 air miles | 17 hours, 40 minutes | Boeing 777-200LR |
| 5. | New York (JFK) to Auckland (AKL) | Air New Zealand and Qantas | 8,829 air miles | 17 hours, 35 minutes | Boeing 787-9 |
| 5. (tied) | Dallas (DFW) to Melbourne (MEL) | Qantas | 8,992 air miles | 17 hours, 35 minutes | Boeing 787-9 |
| 7. | Perth (PER) to London (LHR) | Qantas | 9,009 air miles | 17 hours, 20 minutes | Boeing 787-9 |
| 8. | Dubai (DBX) to Auckland (AKL) | Emirates | 8,824 air miles | 17 hours, 10 minus | Boeing 777-200LR |
| 9. | New York (JFK) to Manila, Philippines (MNL) | Philippine Airlines | 8,507 air miles | 17 hours | Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777-300ER |
| 10. | Dallas (DFW) to Sydney (SYD) | Qantas | 8,576 air miles | 16 hours, 45 minutes | Boeing 787-9 |
