The Longest Flights in the World

Though Singapore Air's 18-hour nonstop flight from Newark to Singapore was suspended last year, there are still plenty of ultra-long flights to choose from. Here are ten of the world's longest flights, all with a minimum flying time of 16 hours or distance of at least 8,000 miles. Plus: Vote for your favorite hotels, cities, airlines and more in the 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards survey.
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    Courtesy United Airlines

    United Airlines Flight 117/116

    Newark to Hong Kong

    Flying time: 16 hours

    Distance: 8,078 miles

    Aircraft type: B777-200ER

    On this, its longest route, United has a fully loaded Business First section, with trademark flat beds, plus-size video screens with 150 hours of on-demand programming, power ports, and USB chargers. The carrier is also preparing to roll out overwater wifi connectivity for its transpacific services.

  • Courtesy Qantas

    Qantas Flight 7/8

    Sydney-Dallas

    Flying time: 16 hours

    Distance: 8,575 miles

    Aircraft type: Airbus A380

    The world champ by miles covered, flights QF7/8 between Sydney and Dallas are now setting another record, as the longest flights operated with the biggest passenger plane in the skies: the double decker A380. The aircraft change means Qantas can fly the route nonstop in both directions, bypassing the Brisbane stop that was required on the Dallas-to-Sydney run with the previous 747 equipment. The Aussie airline is taking maximum advantage of the added space with a four-class layout: a 14-seat first class cabin; 64 seats in business; a 35-seat premium economy section, and 371 seats in coach. All classes feature the carrier’s trademark ergonomically correct seats, and for those who want to stretch their legs, there’s a self-serve snack bar.

  • Courtesy Cathay Pacific

    Cathay Pacific Flight 830/831, 840/841, 845/846 (JFK); 890/899 (EWR)

    New York/Newark-Hong Kong

    Flying time: 16 hours, 5 minutes

    Distance: 8,078 miles

    Aircraft type: B777-300ER

    Marathon fliers appreciate that Cathay operates a virtual shuttle of super-long flights from New York to the Far East, three nonstops a day from JFK, and starting in March, one daily from Newark. Cathay offers cuisine influenced by top Hong Kong chefs, and in addition to award-winning first and business class cabins, a premium economy cabin that can take the sting out of sitting in coach.

  • Courtesy South African Airlines

    South African Airways Flight 203/204

    Johannesburg-New York

    Flying time: 16 hours, 15 minutes

    Distance: 7,954 miles

    Aircraft type: A340-600

    SAA flies this super-long route with a hardy four-engine Airbus A340-600, equipped with 45 business flat beds and 275 economy seats. In coach, a 2-4-2 layout lessens claustrophobia by reducing the number of middle seats.

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  • Courtesy Qatar Airways

    Qatar Airways Flight 77/78

    Doha-Houston

    Flying time: 16 hours, 20 minutes

    Distance: 8,016 miles

    Aircraft type: 777-200LR

    Qatar shuttles between the two energy capitals with a 259-seat 777 with just two classes—meaning that those who nab one of the 42 flat seats in business get a generous seat pitch of up to 78 inches, in a 2–2–2 seat layout. Coach class has 217 seats, also with above-average pitch of 34 inches in a 3-3-3 configuration, and all fliers get amenities kits with eyeshades, socks, and other "essentials" for the long haul.

  • Courtesy Emirates

    Emirates Flight 211/212

    Dubai to Houston

    Flying time: 16 hours, 20 minutes

    Distance: 8,168 miles

    **Aircraft type: **777-200LR

    To Houston, Emirates flies the long range, 266-seat 777, which features 8 in first class and 42 in business. Oil tycoons will appreciate the “do not disturb” signs, personal mini-bars, and on-demand dining in first class; business class fliers get privacy screens and classy leather seat-beds with built-in massage. All classes feature “ice”, Emirates’ onboard entertainment system offering up to 1,500 channels of content.

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  • Courtesy Etihad

    Etihad Flight 170/171

    Los Angeles – Abu Dhabi

    Flying time: 16 hours, 30 minutes

    **Distance: **8,390 miles

    Aircraft type: B777-200LR

    With this new route connecting the desert boom town of Abu Dhabi with L.A., Etihad is offering generous legroom in all classes: 8 First Class suites, 40 Business Class flatbed seats, and 189 Economy Class seats. For families, there’s a unique “Flying Nanny” program to care for the littlest passengers so parents can get some respite from endless pleas of “are we there yet?”

  • Courtesy Emirates

    Emirates Flight 215/216

    Dubai to Los Angeles

    Flying time: 16 hours, 35 minutes

    Distance: 8,339 miles

    Aircraft type: A380

    The airline recently upgraded the equipment to a double-decker A380, with 14 first class suites, 76 flat beds in business class, and 399 seats in coach. There’s also an upstairs cocktail lounge for premium fliers. Passengers in all classes get a generous baggage allowance and inflight Wi-Fi and mobile phone connectivity.

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  • Courtesy Delta

    Delta Flight 200/201

    Atlanta-Johannesburg

    **Flying time: **16 hours, 55 minutes (approximate, depends on direction and season)

    Distance: 8,439 miles

    **Aircraft type: **B777-200LR

    The longest flight in the world on a two-engine plane, Delta offers fliers three classes of service: 45 fully flat Business Elite Seats, 36 Economy Comfort with extra legroom, and 188 seats in coach with standard legroom. There’s enough time to consume three full meals, watch five movies, or, if you settle into the one of pod like lie-flat beds, you could even get the equivalent of a full night’s sleep. The carrier loads extra water and snacks—and serves both American and South African specialties.

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