What's the longest scheduled airline flight?

[LotusOmega375D]

All this recent debate about the 787 has got me wondering. What is currently the longest non-stop distance/flying time of any regular airline service (or tour operator) and which type of aircraft flies the route? I know one of the UK tour operators (Thomson?) was eyeing up non-stop Hawaii flights with their Dreamliner which must be quite a long haul for a holiday flight if it happens.

[-crookedtail-]

I'm sure it used to be New York to Singapore over the North Pole. Wasnt making any money though so its since been pulled.

Maybe it is Sydney to Dallas these days that is the longest, although beardy Branson wanted to do London to Perth with a 787 which must be a bit of a mission if they ever start that.

[mgreenwood]

The Singapore Airlines flight to NYC still operates and is the longest commercial flight in the world although the route is due to be dropped during this year. Its is operated by a A340-500

[LotusOmega375D]

Blimey, Singapore - New York is a long way! How long does it take? I have just checked it on my kids' globe: it's even further than London - Perth.

[mgreenwood]

Its booked at 18 hours 30 mins both directions. Its a business class only flight so a little more bearable

Edited by mgreenwood on Thursday 17th January 11:09

[Newc]

I occasionally do JFK - HKG which can be 17+ hours with winds. It is miserable; you're going stir crazy after you get to 13 hours and you realise you're still a long long way away. And this is in the front of the bus, I think I'd be going postal if I was in the back. It's so bad that I will opt to take the stopping flight in Vancouver if I can. If I was doing SG - US regularly I would definitely route through Europe and take a break.

[Boozy]

I'm flying on the Singapore to Newark flight next week, will let you know what it's like...Newark to HK on Friday, joy.

[Kempus]

I did Dubai to Los Angeles last month. 17hrs 5mins but at least I had a bed!

[Kempus]

I did Dubai to Los Angeles last month. 17hrs 5mins but at least I had a bed!

[Turbodiesel1690]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

^^^^ Double Bed

Aaaaaaah I see what you did there

[simoid]

mgreenwood said:

Its booked at 18 hours 30 mins both directions. Its a business class only flight so a little more bearable

Many would prefer 1 x 18 hours over 2 x 9 hours with a break in between, I'm sure.

[mgreenwood]

simoid said:

Many would prefer 1 x 18 hours over 2 x 9 hours with a break in between, I'm sure.

True but having said that I did Birmingham (UK) to Melbourne last year with Emirates. Dubai - Melbourne had a non-stop option at just over 14 hours or via KL at 2 sectors of just over 7 hours each and a stop in KL of 1 hour which I chose and was glad to get off and strect the old legs.

[anonymous-user]

I'd take the two shorter legs if I could get off or have a shower and get changed in the middle. If the break was just in transit in some terminal I probably wouldn't bother.

[simoid]

Suppose it would come down to the money

[h0b0]

I did Bankok to Tokyo in 6 hours then Tokyo to NYC in 14 hours all in coach. It really wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be and I was able to get drunk in Tokyo and NYC on the same night. My worst flight was EWR to Switzerland on Swiss air. Nice looking planes but no leg room at all.

[mgreenwood]

I was lucky in the trip down under was business class and Emirates lounges have full shower facilities. Taking the break also reduced the cost although I cant remember by how much.

[LotusOmega375D]

I do like BA's Arrivals lounge at T5 for Business (Club) Class for morning arrivals: it's great to have a shower and then have a bite to eat whilst reading the paper. It makes me feel fit and fresh again for the day ahead. Unfortunately you don't usually get the same comforts when you land at your outbound destination.

[mgreenwood]

Didnt use the Emirates lounge in Melbourne but Birmingham, Dubai and Brisbane were all a pretty standard product and very comfortable for relaxing prior to the flights.

[motomk]

-crookedtail- said:

I'm sure it used to be New York to Singapore over the North Pole. Wasnt making any money though so its since been pulled.

Maybe it is Sydney to Dallas these days that is the longest, although beardy Branson wanted to do London to Perth with a 787 which must be a bit of a mission if they ever start that.

The Sydney - Dallas plane can't get back all the time. Has to stop in Brisbane sometimes on the way home. I would give it to some sort of B777LR or A340-500 somewhere in the world. They have longer range than the Sydney - Dallas aeroplane. I reckon a B777LR and the A340-500 could do Perth to London in both directions but neither end of the line has them.

[Jim Campbell]

motomk said:

The Sydney - Dallas plane can't get back all the time. Has to stop in Brisbane sometimes on the way home. I would give it to some sort of B777LR or A340-500 somewhere in the world. They have longer range
than the Sydney - Dallas aeroplane. I
reckon a B777LR and the A340-500 could do Perth to London in both directions but neither end of the line
has them.

The Brisbane stop is the scheduled norm due to range limitations of the 744ER. I think what you're referring to is the few times it hasn't made it to Brisbane and has had to stop in either Noumea or Auckland.
When the SIA SIN-LAX AND EWR-SIN stops this year Sydney to dallas will indeed be the worlds longest. Although delta Atlanta to joburg(772LR) will be the longest that operates in both directions.
Jim