Earlier this week, United Airlines launched a new route: non-stop from Los Angeles to Singapore. The flight covers nearly 9,000 miles and takes almost 18 hours in the direction from Los Angeles to Singapore, making it one of the longest flights in the world.
Not only is this the first time the two cities are being connected non-stop since Singapore Airlines ceased its own operation of the same route in 2013, but it has also caused a reshuffle of the rankings of the world"™s longest airline routes.
This new list of longest routes will, itself, soon require revision thanks to the imminent launch of yet more ultra-long-hauls including those of United (again) from its hub in Houston to Singapore in January and Qanta"™s launch of non-stop service between Perth and London Heathrow in March followed by even longer flights in the coming years between Singapore and New York and even Sydney and New York, possibly.
However, this is the current list of the 10 longest regularly scheduled commercial passenger flights in the world.
These rankings are ordered by time blocked out for the flights in the airline"™ schedules rather than by actual time in the air or distance flown. Some routes that might be lengthier can take less time in the air depending on weather and routing factors as well as aircraft type. Flights also take more time in one direction than in the opposite due to factors like tailwinds.
1. Qatar Airways: Auckland (AKL) "“ Doha (DOH)
Flight time: 18 hours, 20 minutes
Distance: 9,032 miles
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200LR
2. United Airlines: Los Angeles (LAX) "“ Singapore (SIN)
Flight time: 17 hours, 55 minutes
Distance: 8,770 miles
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9…
