Updated October 2026. The longest airline journeys are best compared using a clearly defined measure. Great-circle distance, actual distance flown and scheduled flight duration are not identical. Winds and routing can also make one direction of a route take longer than the other.
Singapore–New York is a landmark example
Singapore Airlines’ Singapore–New York services are well-known examples of ultra-long-haul flying. The airline’s 2018 announcement of its Newark service explains the role of the Airbus A350-900ULR. That historical launch announcement should not be read as a live timetable or used to settle today’s ranking without checking current service details.
Flights of this length require suitable aircraft performance and careful planning. Passenger capacity, fuel requirements, crew arrangements and operating conditions all shape what an airline can offer. They are not simply ordinary short-haul flights with additional fuel added.
Qantas Project Sunrise is a future service
The earlier version of this article incorrectly described a regular nonstop Qantas New York–Sydney service as already operating. Qantas’s June 2026 announcement instead describes planned Project Sunrise nonstop Sydney–London services from October 2027, with Sydney–New York also part of the project. A research flight or an announced route is not an existing scheduled service.
Compare the whole journey
A nonstop flight can remove a connection, but travelers should compare the door-to-door schedule, fare and cabin as well as the number of stops. A connection may suit someone who prefers a break; another traveler may value avoiding a transfer. Check the current schedule for the exact travel date and identify whether the itinerary is truly nonstop.
Prepare for a long time onboard
Keep essential medication and items you need during the flight accessible, subject to security and airline rules. Download useful entertainment before departure and consider how your arrival time fits local plans. Follow crew instructions when moving around the cabin.
If health or mobility concerns affect a long flight, plan around your individual needs with the relevant professional and airline. A route’s record-breaking distance is less important than whether the actual itinerary works for you.