By Youssef Yahya 
In this article, we explore the current longest flights in the world, along with an exciting glimpse into Qantas’ Project Sunrise.
As aviation technology advances, long-haul flights are reaching new milestones, connecting cities across vast oceans and continents. With aircraft designed for greater fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, the limits of air travel are being pushed further than ever before. Spanning upwards of 17 hours, these journeys redefine endurance for both passengers and machines.
Project Sunrise: The Leader of Long-Range Flights
Australia’s national carrier, Qantas, is set to take the lead of the longest flights with its ambitious Project Sunrise, scheduled for launch in mid-2026. This project will feature the world’s longest nonstop flights, connecting Sydney to London (10,573 nautical miles) and Sydney to New York (9,950 nautical miles).
The Sydney-London route, in particular, will last a staggering 20 hours, allowing passengers to witness the rare phenomenon of the sun rising twice during the journey.
In 2017, Qantas unveiled plans to tackle one of aviation’s last frontiers: nonstop flights from Australia’s east coast to Europe and New York. To achieve this ambitious goal, the airline challenged both Boeing and Airbus to develop an aircraft capable of ultra-long-haul operations. This initiative was codenamed Project Sunrise, a tribute to Qantas’ long history of endurance flights.
After rigorous evaluation, the Airbus A350-1000 was selected as the preferred aircraft, with an order for 12 placed in May 2022.
Project Sunrise is set to introduce more direct routes to Australia while cutting point-to-point travel times by up to four hours compared to one-stop flights. Passengers can also look forward to an unparalleled flying experience, with cabin interiors and onboard services designed based on medical and scientific insights gathered during research flights.
The first Airbus A350-1000 is scheduled to join the Qantas fleet in mid-2026, operating nonstop routes from Sydney to London and New York.
The World’s Current Longest Flight
At present, the longest flight in the world is operated by Singapore Airlines on the route between New York’s JFK Airport and Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). Covering an impressive 9,585 nautical miles, this journey lasts 18 hours and 50 minutes.
The flight utilizes the advanced Airbus A350-900ULR, a jet specifically designed for ultra-long-haul routes. This aircraft is configured with 67 business-class pod-style seats and 94 premium economy seats, offering unparalleled comfort to passengers on such lengthy journeys. Interestingly, the aircraft does not include standard economy seating, ensuring passengers have ample space and high-quality service.
Top 10 Longest Flights as of December 2024
Below is a list of the world’s longest flights currently in operation, ranked by distance:
| Rank | Flight Path | Airline | Distance (Nautical Miles) | Estimated Flight Time | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York (JFK) → Singapore (SIN) | Singapore Airlines | 9,585 | 18 hrs 50 mins | Airbus A350-900ULR |
| 2 | Singapore (SIN) → Newark (EWR) | Singapore Airlines | 9,525 | 18 hrs 45 mins | Airbus A350-900ULR |
| 3 | Auckland (AKL) → Doha (DOH) | Qatar Airways | 9,032 | 17 hrs 40 mins | Airbus A350-1000 |
| 4 | London (LHR) → Perth (PER) | Qantas Airways | 9,009 | 17 hrs 45 mins | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner |
| 5 | Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) → Melbourne (MEL) | Qantas | 8,992 | 17 hrs 35 mins | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner |
| 6 | Paris (CDG) → Perth (PER) | Qantas | 8,862 | 17 hrs 15 mins | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner |
| 7 | Auckland (AKL) → New York (JFK) | Qantas and Air NZ | 8,828 | 16 hrs 15 mins | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner |
| 8 | Dubai (DXB) → Auckland (AKL) | Emirates | 8,824 | 17 hrs 5 mins | Boeing 777-200LR |
| 9 | Shenzhen (SZX) → Mexico City (MEX) | China Southern | 8,790 | 17 hrs 30 mins | Airbus A350-900 |
| 10 | Los Angeles (LAX) → Singapore (SIN) | Singapore Airlines | 8,770 | 17 hrs 50 mins | Airbus A350-900 |
An interesting fact about Singapore Airlines’ New York-Singapore Route
The world’s longest flight, covering 9,585 nautical miles and lasting 18 hours and 50 minutes, is operated by Singapore Airlines using the Airbus A350-900ULR. This aircraft is specifically configured without economy class, offering only business and premium economy seating for maximum comfort
Have you ever tried one of the longest flights in the world? Share your experience in the comments below!
- Featured image by BriYYZ
Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’
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