Ultra-long-haul flights—typically defined as those exceeding 16 hours—are marvels of modern aviation. They stretch both the technological limits of aircraft and the endurance of travelers. As of August 2025, here are ten of the longest nonstop flight…  | By Magari Poa on 23/08/2025 | Ultra-long-haul flights—typically defined as those exceeding 16 hours—are marvels of modern aviation. They stretch both the technological limits of aircraft and the endurance of travelers. As of August 2025, here are ten of the longest nonstop flights touching the U.S., with facts, history, and some fresh context woven in.
1. New York (JFK) – Singapore (SIN) -
Route: The reigning champion of nonstop commercial flights, this route spans roughly 9,585 miles and lasts about 18 hours 50 minutes, operated by Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350-900ULR, featuring only business and premium economy cabin. -
Backstory: Revived in October 2018 after a hiatus, it replaced the older A340-500 and resumed post-pandemic in March 2022. -
Why it matters: It's the epitome of ultra-long-haul flying—no economy class, just premium comfort across the Pacific. 2. Newark (EWR) – Singapore (SIN) -
Route: Barely trailing JFK–SIN, this flight covers 9,525 miles in about 18 hours 45 minutes, also aboard the A350-900ULR. -
Highlight: Essentially the same experience as its JFK counterpart—ultra-long haul with premium-only service. 3. Los Angeles (LAX) – Singapore (SIN) -
Route: Roughly 8,770 miles and takes 17 hours 50 minutes on the A350-900ULR. -
Context: This route has been around longer (since 2004), originally with the less efficient A340-500, later modernized with the ULR for better range and economy. 4. San Francisco (SFO) – Bengaluru (BLR) -
Route: A tech-hub connector spanning about 8,701 miles with a 17 hours 55 minutes block time, flown aboard a Boeing 777-200LR by Air India. -
Why notable: A high-demand path linking Silicon Valley with India's tech scene—comfort and necessity converge here. 5. Houston (IAH) – Sydney (SYD) -
Route: Around 8,596 miles, taking 17 hours 35 minutes on United's Boeing 787-9. -
Extra: After pausing due to COVID-19, United restarted the service in October 2023. -
Update: United plans to operate this route seasonally during the northern winter starting October 2025. 6. Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) – Melbourne (MEL) -
Route: Roughly 8,990 miles, lasting 17 hours 35 minutes on Qantas' 787-9. -
Heat of history: Between 2013–2016, it held the record for longest flight. Now, a classic among ultra-long hauls. 7. New York (JFK) – Auckland (AKL) -
Route: Approximately 8,828 miles, around 16 hours 15 minutes, offered by Qantas and Air New Zealand on the 787-9. -
Insight: Opened by Air New Zealand in 2022, Qantas joined in 2023—bridging East Coast U.S. with New Zealand in one go. 8. DFW – Sydney (via Qantas or American codeshare) -
Route: Just over the 16-hour mark at 16 hours 21 minutes, covering 8,578 miles on 787-9. -
Note: Not as extreme as others, but still a beast of long-haul flying. 9. San Francisco (SFO) – Singapore (SIN) -
Route: Just under 17 hours, ~8,440 miles, serviced by both Singapore Airlines (A350-900) and United (787-9). -
Interesting nod: A rare long-haul where U.S. and foreign carriers directly compete in offerings. 10. Atlanta (ATL) – Johannesburg (JNB) -
Route: Around 8,433 miles, about 15 hours 22 minutes; falls just shy of our 16-hour threshold, but worth mentioning as a long successor in ranking.
What's New & Coming Soon -
Qantas Project Sunrise: Watch for mid-2026, when Qantas plans to launch 22-hour flights from Australia's east coast (Sydney/Melbourne) to London and New York aboard specially configured A350-1000s, complete with anti-jet-lag lighting and exercise zones. -
Passenger wellness trends: Innovations on ultra-long hauls are accelerating—from Singapore Airlines' in-flight Golden Door Spa amenities (introducing wellness meals, stretching programs, and sleep media) to Qantas' experiments with light and meal scheduling to ease jet lag across 17-22 hour flights. -
Crew reality: Flight attendants on the longest legs—like JFK–Singapore—manage rotating rest periods and wellness routines to stay sharp and healthy during these grueling flights.
What Makes These Flights So Remarkable? | Feature | Insight | | Aircraft Tech | The A350-900ULR and Boeing 787-9/777-200LR enable ranges once thought impossible, thanks to fuel efficiency and extended MTOW designs. | | Premium Focus | Many routes (like those by Singapore Airlines) skip economy altogether—prioritizing passenger comfort, reducing load, and maximizing profitability. | | Strategic Hubs | Connections often involve economic/trading hubs—Silicon Valley, Bengaluru, Singapore, Sydney, Auckland—making nonstop routes both viable and in demand. | | Well-being Trend | Airlines now integrate wellness-centric amenities (spa-style food, sleep aids, lighting) to make flying 17-plus hours less punishing. | | Future Direction | Project Sunrise and other plans point to a future where 20-plus hour flights become new normals—but centered around comfort and crew wellbeing, not just endurance. |
Final Take The longest nonstop routes from the U.S.—from JFK to Singapore and beyond—are breathtaking feats of aviation. They showcase how modern aircraft and consumer demand have stretched the very limits of what's possible in air travel. And yet, the next frontier isn't just pushing distance—it's redefining comfort in the sky, from lighting and meals to cabin layout and cabin crew support. In 2025, ultra-long-haul travel is not just about covering distance—it's about redefining experience. Is there one particular route or airline innovation you'd like to dive deeper into next? | | | |
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