Airlines

Top 10 Longest Flight Routes in World 2023 by OAG

In an increasingly interconnected world, air travel has become an integral part of our lives, connecting distant cities and bridging continents. As technology advances and aviation capabilities expand, airlines are continuously pushing the boundaries of non-stop flight routes, allowing passengers to traverse vast distances without layovers or interruptions. In this article, we explore the ten longest non-stop airline routes.

Using OAG’s airline schedules data, our table of the longest routes ranks commercial flights by Great Circle Distance (GCD) in kilometers. GCD is a way of measuring a flight’s length, taking into account the fact that the Earth is spherical, and therefore the shortest route for a flight to take is not a straight line drawn from point to point on a 2D map.

Top 10 Longest Flight Routes in 2023

1. New York (JFK) to Singapore Changi (SIN): Singapore Airlines.

Currently, the longest commercial flight that can be scheduled is from New York John F. Kennedy Airport to Singapore Changi. With a length of 15,332 km, this route has topped the list since 2021 and takes an average of 18 hours, 40 min.

2. Newark Liberty International (EWR) to Singapore Changi (SIN): Singapore Airlines.

Singapore Changi is the second-longest flight route in 2023 and provides direct connections to other Asian nations and Australia. In fact, the Newark–Changi route is only 3 km less than the longest route, and during 2004–2013 and again from 2018–2020, this was the world’s longest route prior to Singapore Airlines’ introduction of flights from JFK to Singapore.

3. Perth (PER) – London Heathrow (LHR): Qantas Airways.

This is the only route in our top 10 that features a European airport, with a scheduled flight time of 17 hours and 45 minutes, as Qantas’s Darwin to Heathrow route, which took eighth place in last year’s rankings, is no longer in service.

4. Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) – Melbourne (MEL): Qantas Airways.

This year, Dallas Fort Worth has consistently appeared on our monthly list of busiest airports because of its availability of connecting flights for Australian tourists to 193 US locations. The 17 hours 35-minute trip from Dallas to Melbourne is planned.

5. Auckland International (AKL) – New York (JFK): Air New Zealand, Qantas.

This will be the first nonstop Air New Zealand route to New York, beginning in 2022. The flight is expected to last 16 hours and 15 minutes. When Qantas entered the AKL-JFK market in 2023, Air New Zealand faced some competition.

6. Auckland International (AKL) – Dubai International (DXB): Emirates.

This flight was the longest in the world in 2016 at 14,193 kilometers, and it only took seven years for it to drop to sixth place on the list, showing how quickly things can change in the aviation industry! The journey is expected to take 17 hours and 5 minutes to complete, and it will land at one of the busiest international airports.

7. Los Angeles (LAX) – Singapore Changi (SIN): Singapore Airlines.

On the list of longest non-stop commercial flights, Singapore Changi Airport makes its third and final appearance at position number 7, on a route that was first taken by United Airlines in 2016 and was at the time the longest scheduled non-stop flight from the US.

8. Bengaluru (BLR) – San Francisco (SFO): Air India.

The Air India travel to make it into the top 10 is the 13,982 km route from Bengaluru in Southern India to San Francisco Airport on the US west coast. Recently, they confirmed orders for 470 new aircraft to add to their fleet, including 70 wide-bodied aircraft, so keep an eye on this sector.

9. Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) – Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD): Qantas.

With a total distance of 13,802 kilometers, this route is the fourth on the list for Qantas Airways and will rank ninth in July 2023. In 2014 and 2015, it was the longest regularly scheduled commercial flight in the world. Due to the fact that this flight crosses the International Date Line, it arrives in Sydney two days after leaving. It takes off in the evening and lasts 16 hours and 45 minutes.

10. New York (JFK) – Manila Ninoy Aquino (MNL): Philippine Airlines.

This is one of two routes that appear in July 2023 that did not appear in the top ten in July 2022, the other being DFW-SYD. It will take the position of United’s Houston-Sydney route, which has been converted to a seasonal route and will resume service in October.

Airlines

These are two airlines that placed the largest orders for Comac

China Southern Airlines has made a significant move in the aviation industry by placing a monumental order for 100 Comac C919 aircraft.

Marking a pivotal moment in the commitment of state-owned Chinese airlines to domestically developed planes. The deliveries are set to commence this year and continue until 2031.

The order holds a considerable value of USD 9.9 billion; however, China Southern will benefit from substantial discounts provided by the manufacturer, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China. This announcement comes closely after Air China’s recent order for 100 C919s, albeit in the Extended Range variant.

China Southern’s decision to invest in the C919 reflects its strategic vision to address capacity demands, achieve fleet balance, and enhance its overall strength and brand image.

By incorporating these advanced aircraft into its operations, the airline aims to alleviate pressure on capacity, optimize its fleet structure, and bolster its competitive position in the market.

As China continues to assert itself in the global aviation industry, the significant orders placed by its state-owned carriers underscore the country’s commitment to domestic aviation manufacturing.

With both China Southern Airlines and Air China making substantial investments in the Comac C919, the stage is set for these domestically developed aircraft to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Chinese aviation.

Airlines

Japan Airlines flight was canceled, after pilot got drunk & rowdy behavior

Last week, a routine flight from Dallas Fort Worth to Tokyo Haneda turned into a saga of unexpected turbulence when Japan Airlines Flight JL11 was abruptly grounded due to the unruly conduct of its captain.

The incident, which made headlines in local media, sheds light on the critical issue of alcohol consumption and professional responsibility within the aviation industry. Scheduled to take off at 11:05 am on April 24th, Flight JL11 was poised to ferry 157 passengers across the Pacific on a 12-hour journey to Tokyo.

However, the departure was thwarted as the pilot’s behavior at the crew layover hotel raised serious concerns. Around 2 am, hotel staff were compelled to summon the authorities as the captain’s disruptive antics reverberated through the premises, disturbing fellow guests.

Despite not breaching Japan Airlines’ guidelines regarding alcohol consumption within 12 hours of duty, the pilot’s conduct prompted precautionary measures. While the passengers of Flight JL11 were later accommodated on an American Airlines flight, the repercussions of the pilot’s actions continued to reverberate.

Of particular interest is the fact that the captain wasn’t slated to operate the return flight to Tokyo for over 24 hours, minimizing concerns regarding his sobriety during duty hours. Nevertheless, the incident underscores the complexities surrounding alcohol policies within the airline industry.

Japan Airlines, known for its stringent regulations, imposes a 12-hour prohibition on pilots flying after consuming alcohol, a policy designed to uphold safety standards. Notably, there was a brief period where this cut-off time was extended to 24 hours, highlighting the evolving nature of such protocols.

Following the incident, the pilot was questioned by authorities and cautioned against further misconduct. However, despite assurances, Japan Airlines opted to ground him for the subsequent flight, resulting in the cancellation of the 1:05 am departure when a replacement pilot couldn’t be secured.

In a statement, the airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers, attributing the disruption to the pilot’s “inappropriate behavior.”

Airlines

Turkish Airlines in Talks for New Planes, with New MRO Facility

Turkish Airlines is set to embark on a significant expansion journey, eyeing the acquisition of 235 new aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing.

Chairman Ahmet Bolat recently disclosed this development, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to balanced engagement with both major aircraft manufacturers. This move comes in the wake of Turkish Airlines‘ ambitious 10-year fleet plan, unveiled last year, which aims for a substantial increase in its fleet size by nearly 600 planes. As reported by Reuters.

In December, the airline solidified a substantial portion of this plan by securing a deal with Airbus for 355 firm and optional orders, encompassing A321 narrow body and A350 wide body aircraft.

During an event in Istanbul attended by representatives from Airbus and Rolls-Royce, Bolat underscored the airline’s strategy of maintaining equilibrium between Airbus and Boeing. He also highlighted Turkish Airlines’ patience in awaiting resolution of Boeing’s challenges before finalizing its decision.

Moreover, Bolat revealed discussions with Rolls-Royce regarding the potential establishment of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities within Türkiye, along with exploring additional avenues for supply-chain sourcing.

Recently, Turkish Airlines is set to redefine luxury air travel with the introduction of its next-generation business class suite, codenamed “Crystal,” slated for release in 2025. These luxurious private suites will first be introduced on the Boeing 777 fleet, with plans to expand to Airbus A350-1000 jets in the future.

The Crystal Suites will feature private compartments with sliding doors, offering passengers an intimate and secluded space to relax and work during their journey. Boasting a 1-2-1 configuration, each seat will provide direct aisle access, ensuring maximum convenience for travelers.