Key Takeaways
- Singapore Airlines operates the longest nonstop flight from Singapore (SIN) to New York (JFK), spanning 9,537 miles in approximately 18 hours and 50 minutes.
- Singapore Airlines’ Singapore (SIN) to Newark (EWR) route follows closely, covering 9,535 miles in about 18 hours and 25 minutes.
- Advanced aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner power these ultra-long-haul flights, offering enhanced fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.
- For points-and-miles enthusiasts, these marathon flights provide an opportunity to redeem hard-earned miles for premium travel experiences, maximizing value on luxurious airline products.
This guide explores the 10 longest nonstop flights worldwide, detailing their points-and-miles redemption value and highlighting fascinating aircraft facts for an unforgettable journey.
For those yet to embrace the points-and-miles lifestyle, these epic redemptions might inspire a new passion for travel rewards!
The 10 Longest Nonstop Flights Worldwide
| Rank | Route | Airline | Distance | Scheduled Flight Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore (SIN) to New York (JFK) | Singapore Airlines | 9,537 miles | 18 hours, 50 minutes |
| 2 | Singapore (SIN) to Newark (EWR) | Singapore Airlines | 9,535 miles | 18 hours, 25 minutes |
| 3 | Doha (DOH) to Auckland (AKL) | Qatar Airways | 9,032 miles | 17 hours, 35 minutes |
| 4 | Perth (PER) to London (LHR) | Qantas | 9,009 miles | 17 hours, 20 minutes |
| 5 | Melbourne (MEL) to Dallas (DFW) | Qantas | 8,992 miles | 17 hours, 35 minutes |
| 6 | Auckland (AKL) to New York (JFK) | Air New Zealand | 8,828 miles | 17 hours, 50 minutes |
| 7 | Dubai (DXB) to Auckland (AKL) | Emirates | 8,824 miles | 17 hours, 10 minutes |
| 8 | Singapore (SIN) to Los Angeles (LAX) | Singapore Airlines | 8,770 miles | 17 hours, 50 minutes |
| 9 | Bengaluru (BLR) to San Francisco (SFO) | Air India | 8,701 miles | 17 hours, 40 minutes |
| 10 | Houston (IAH) to Sydney (SYD) | United Airlines | 8,596 miles | 17 hours, 35 minutes |
Note: Airlines measure distances in nautical miles (1 nautical mile ≈ 1.15 statute miles). This guide uses statute miles for familiarity, excluding return flights on the same routes.
Singapore (SIN) to New York (JFK) on Singapore Airlines: 9,537 Miles on Nonstop Flights
- Scheduled Flight Time: 18 hours, 50 minutes
- Flight Number: SQ 24
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-900ULR
- Best Business Class Redemption: 111,500 Singapore KrisFlyer miles one-way (transfer from Amex Membership Rewards, Brex Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy)
Singapore Airlines reclaimed the title for the longest commercial flight after Cathay Pacific’s temporary Hong Kong-to-New York route (details below) ended.
You Could:
- Watch the entire “Mission Impossible” series, “Top Gun,” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” with 25 minutes left for a segment of the 2005 “Oprah Winfrey Show” featuring Tom Cruise’s iconic couch-jumping moment.
- Drive from Portland, Maine, to Portland, Oregon, and back, then head to Portland, Oregon, again.
This route features 94 premium economy and 67 business class seats on the A350-900ULR.
Tip: These ultra-long flights demand strategic planning. Explore the best credit cards for travelers to boost your points balance before booking.
What Was Cathay Pacific’s Temporary Route?
From 2022 to early 2023, Cathay Pacific operated a 10,326-mile flight from New York (JFK) to Hong Kong (HKG) on an Airbus A350-1000, taking 17 hours and 50 minutes. This route, necessitated by the Russia-Ukraine war, avoided Russian airspace by flying over the Atlantic, U.K., southern Europe, and Central Asia. Tailwinds enabled fuel efficiency.
You Could:
- Watch all 10 “Star Trek” films featuring James T. Kirk (original and J.J. Abrams reboots), with 1 minute to spare.
- Drive from Key West, Florida, to Utqiagvik, Alaska, and back to San Antonio, Texas.
Cathay Pacific has since reverted to a shorter Pacific route, approximately 8,000 miles.
Note: Actual flight distances may exceed listed figures due to jet streams or weather, with Singapore Airlines’ SQ 24 sometimes covering 10,700 statute miles despite its 9,537-mile official distance.
Read More: Delta One A350 Business Class: The Premier Choice in U.S. Air Travel
Singapore (SIN) to Newark (EWR) on Singapore Airlines: 9,535 Miles on Nonstop Flights
- Scheduled Flight Time: 18 hours, 25 minutes
- Flight Number: SQ 22
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-900ULR
- Best Business Class Redemption: 111,500 Singapore KrisFlyer miles one-way (transfer from Amex Membership Rewards, Brex Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy)
You Could:
- Watch all eight “Harry Potter” films (from “Sorcerer’s Stone” to “Deathly Hallows: Part 2”) without credits, with 13 minutes for a Yule Ball dinner scene from “Goblet of Fire.”
- Drive from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Los Angeles to Orlando and back, nearly completing a second round trip.
This flight spans 10 time zones, a remarkable feat.
Doha (DOH) to Auckland (AKL) on Qatar Airways: 9,032 Miles on Nonstop Flights
- Scheduled Flight Time: 17 hours, 35 minutes
- Flight Number: QR 920
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000
- Best Business Class Redemption: 140,000 Avios plus ~$150 (transfer from The British Airways Club, Aer Lingus AerClub, Club Iberia Plus, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy)
Qatar Airways resumed this route on September 1, 2023, after a three-year pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, using the advanced A350-1000.
You Could:
- Watch all Roger Moore James Bond films plus “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” with time for two 7-minute breaks.
- Drive from New York City to San Francisco three times, with a detour to San Diego and back.
Perth (PER) to London (LHR) on Qantas: 9,009 Miles on Nonstop Flights
- Scheduled Flight Time: 17 hours, 20 minutes
- Flight Number: QF 9
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
- Best Business Class Redemption: 85,000 American miles one-way (transfer from Marriott Bonvoy)
- Best First Class Redemption: 115,000 American miles one-way (transfer from Marriott Bonvoy)
You Could:
- Watch all six “Rocky” films (including “Creed” spinoffs) and most of the “30 for 30” episode “42 to 1” about Mike Tyson’s first loss.
- Drive from the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Rocky’s steps) to Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, and back nearly twice.
Melbourne (MEL) to Dallas (DFW) on Qantas: 8,992 Miles on Nonstop Flights
- Scheduled Flight Time: 17 hours, 35 minutes
- Flight Number: QF 21
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
- Best Business Class Redemption: 55,000 Alaska miles one-way (transfer from Marriott Bonvoy)
- Best First Class Redemption: 70,000 Alaska miles one-way (transfer from Marriott Bonvoy)
You Could:
- Watch all five “Pirates of the Caribbean” films and both “Fantastic Beasts” movies with Johnny Depp, with an hour for a break.
- Drive from New Orleans to Pittsburgh four times round trip.
Tip: Qantas plans to deploy A350-1000s for Sydney-to-New York and Sydney-to-London routes by late 2025.
Auckland (AKL) to New York (JFK) on Air New Zealand: 8,828 Miles on Nonstop Flights
- Scheduled Flight Time: 17 hours, 50 minutes
- Flight Number: NZ 2
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
- Best Business Class Redemption: 120,000 ANA miles one-way (transfer from Amex Membership Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy)
You Could:
- Watch “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies (theatrical editions) with 40 minutes to spare.
- Drive from Gimli, Manitoba, to Drake Bay, Costa Rica, and back, with a detour through the Rocky Mountains.
Dubai (DXB) to Auckland (AKL) on Emirates: 8,824 Miles on Nonstop Flights
- Scheduled Flight Time: 17 hours, 10 minutes
- Flight Number: EK 448
- Aircraft: Airbus A380-800
- Best Business Class Redemption: 85,000 Japan Airlines miles plus a cash surcharge one-way (transfer from Marriott Bonvoy)
Emirates switched from the Boeing 777-200LR to the larger A380 for this route.
You Could:
- Watch all five “Indiana Jones” films and the first three “Jurassic Park” movies, with 1 minute to spare.
- Drive from Indiana to Roswell, New Mexico, and back nearly four times.
Singapore (SIN) to Los Angeles (LAX) on Singapore Airlines: 8,770 Miles on Nonstop Flights
- Scheduled Flight Time: 17 hours, 50 minutes
- Flight Number: SQ 38
- Aircraft: Airbus A350-900ULR
- Best Business Class Redemption: 135,000 Asiana miles or 200,000 United miles one-way (transfer from Marriott Bonvoy, Bilt Rewards, or Chase Ultimate Rewards)
- Best First Class Redemption: 180,000 Asiana miles one-way (transfer from Marriott Bonvoy)
You Could:
- Watch “The Godfather” trilogy, “Goodfellas,” “Casino,” and “The Departed,” with nearly an hour to reflect.
- Drive from Little Italy, New York City, to Las Vegas nearly 3.5 times.
Bengaluru (BLR) to San Francisco (SFO) on Air India: 8,701 Miles on Nonstop Flights
- Scheduled Flight Time: 17 hours, 40 minutes
- Flight Number: AI 175
- Aircraft: Boeing 777-200LR
- Best Business Class Redemption: 100,000 Air Canada points plus ~$35 (transfer from Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy)
You Could:
- Watch all five “Die Hard” films, “The Fifth Element,” “The Sixth Sense,” “12 Monkeys,” and “Over the Hedge” for a Bruce Willis marathon.
- Drive from Carney’s Point, New Jersey, to Hollywood, California, three times.
Tip: Bengaluru, formerly Bangalore, reverted to its traditional Kannada name in November 2014.
Houston (IAH) to Sydney (SYD) on United Airlines: 8,596 Miles on Nonstop Flights
- Scheduled Flight Time: 17 hours, 35 minutes
- Flight Number: UA 101
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-9
- Best Business Class Redemption: 250,000 United miles one-way (transfer from Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy)
United resumed this route on October 28, 2023, after a two-year pause.
You Could:
- Watch all five “Scream” films and all five “Scary Movie” films.
- Drive from northern Illinois to Santa Rosa, California, and back twice.
Flight Distance Insights
Rankings prioritize great circle distance (shortest path between two points on Earth). Actual distances may vary due to wind, weather, or airspace restrictions. Flight times fluctuate for similar reasons, so listed times are approximate.
Trivia: The longest nonstop commercial flight by time was Qantas’ 1943 Consolidated PBY Catalina flight from Sri Lanka to Australia, covering 3,512 miles in 32 hours and 9 minutes, dubbed “The Double Sunrise” for crossing two sunrises.
Aircraft Overview
Advancements in fuel efficiency and aircraft design drive the feasibility of ultra-long-haul flights. Boeing and Airbus innovate to extend range and capacity, ensuring profitability.
Aircraft Used
- Boeing 777-200LR (Air India, Emirates): 9,845-mile range, 317 passengers, Mach 0.89, GE90-115B engines.
- Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (Air New Zealand, Qantas, United): 8,786-mile range, 290 passengers, Mach 0.85, GEnx-1B/Trent 1000 engines.
- Airbus A350-900ULR (Singapore Airlines): 11,163-mile range, 161 passengers (SQ configuration), Mach 0.89, Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engines.
- Airbus A350-1000 (Qatar Airways, Qantas by 2025): 10,001-mile range, up to 480 passengers, Mach 0.89, Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines.
- Airbus A380-800 (Emirates): 9,206-mile range, up to 555 passengers, Mach 0.88, Rolls-Royce Trent 900 or GE-Pratt & Whitney GP-7200 engines.
The A350-900ULR’s lightweight design and expanded fuel tanks make it ideal for ultra-long routes, while the A380’s size suits high-demand flights. The 787-9 balances efficiency and range for midsize routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the longest nonstop flight in the world?
The longest nonstop flight is Singapore Airlines’ route from Singapore (SIN) to New York (JFK), covering 9,537 miles in approximately 18 hours and 50 minutes, operated by an Airbus A350-900ULR.
How can I book these long-haul flights using points or miles?
You can redeem points through airline loyalty programs like Singapore KrisFlyer, Qatar Airways Avios, or United MileagePlus. Transfer points from partners such as Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy to book business or first-class seats, as outlined for each route.
Why do airlines use specific aircraft for ultra-long-haul flights?
Airlines use fuel-efficient aircraft like the Airbus A350-900ULR, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, and Airbus A380 for their extended range, lower operating costs, and passenger comfort features, such as quieter cabins and advanced climate control systems.
Do actual flight distances differ from the listed distances?
Yes, actual distances may vary due to factors like jet streams, weather, or airspace restrictions. For example, Singapore Airlines’ SIN-JFK route is listed at 9,537 miles but can cover up to 10,700 miles in practice.
Are these long flights worth booking with points for the average traveler?
For points-and-miles enthusiasts, these flights offer excellent redemption value, especially in premium cabins, providing luxurious experiences on routes like Singapore to New York. The high mile cost is often justified by the comfort and prestige of these ultra-long-haul journeys.
Conclusion
The world’s longest nonstop flights offer points-and-miles enthusiasts a chance to redeem their rewards for extraordinary travel experiences, connecting distant cities like Singapore to New York or Doha to Auckland aboard cutting-edge aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner. These ultra-long-haul routes not only showcase advancements in aviation technology but also provide unparalleled opportunities to maximize the value of loyalty programs. Whether chasing the prestige of a record-breaking flight or savoring premium cabin comforts, these journeys transform hard-earned miles into unforgettable adventures. Start planning your next redemption to soar across the globe in style!
