- The longest commercial flight in the world is a nearly 19-hour route between New York City and Singapore.
- All 10 of the longest routes currently operating are over 17 hours long.
- Ultra-long-haul flights can be uncomfortable, so we spoke with two medical experts for their top tips for surviving—and even enjoying—super-long routes.
Thanks to next-gen aircraft, cutting-edge technology, and a surge in demand for seamless international travel, ultra-long-haul flights are pushing the boundaries of modern aviation. Today’s longest nonstop routes top 18 hours and cover nearly 10,000 miles, linking cities like Singapore and New York or Auckland and Doha in a single, uninterrupted leg. Ahead, we’ve compiled some of the longest commercial flights on carriers like Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and Air New Zealand—plus expert-approved strategies to help you make the most of every mile on these marathon journeys at 35,000 feet.
1. New York (JFK) to Singapore (SIN)
Flight time: 18 hours and 40 minutes
Carrier: Singapore Airlines
Number of miles: 9,536
At nearly 19 hours long, this New York City to Singapore flight, operated by Singapore Airlines, is the world’s longest passenger flight, both by distance and duration. Passengers fly aboard a specially configured Airbus A350-900ULR, designed for ultra-long-range travel with enhanced fuel capacity and comfort. It also features a unique two-class layout—with business class and premium economy (read: no standard economy)—to optimize the onboard experience for this marathon journey.
Busakorn Pongparnit/Getty Images
2. Singapore (SIN) to Newark (EWR)Â
Flight time: 18 hours and 25 minutes
Carrier: Singapore Airlines
Number of miles: 9,523
This Singapore to Newark flight clocks in just shy of 18 hours and 30 minutes—slightly shorter than its New York-to-Singapore counterpart listed above. It’s operated by the same aircraft, the Airbus A350-900ULR, which, as noted earlier, omits economy seating in favor of just premium economy and business class to ensure a more comfortable experience.
3. New York (JFK) to Auckland (AKL)
Flight time: 18 hours
Carrier: Air New Zealand, Qantas
Number of miles: 8,828
This 18-hour Air New Zealand flight is notable for connecting New Zealand and the U.S. East Coast on an unusually long nonstop route. It’s operated by a specially configured Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring 18 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats, and 263 economy seats—including several Economy Skycouch rows, where adjustable leg rests can transform standard seats into lie-flat couch-style spaces.
In May 2025, Air New Zealand began flying newly retrofitted Dreamliners equipped with larger 4K screens, Bluetooth audio pairing, and the option to use personal devices as remotes. Starting in 2026, the airline plans to roll out its innovative “Skynest” sleeping pods—a bunk-bed-style setup designed to give economy passengers a place to lie flat and rest during ultra-long-haul flights.
Qantas also offers this route on the same plane.
4. San Francisco (SFO) to Bengaluru (BLR)
Flight time: 17 hours and 55 minutes
Carrier: Air India
Number of miles: 8,701
Just five minutes shy of the 18-hour mark, this San Francisco to Bengaluru route from Air India, which launched in 2021, covers a whopping 8,701 miles.
The voyage takes place aboard a Boeing 777-200LR, an ultra-long-range aircraft designed specifically for these marathon routes. Onboard, passengers can expect a three-class configuration, including business class equipped with lie-flat seats, premium economy, and standard economy. While the product may not be the most cutting-edge among international carriers, the route, which connects two tech hubs—Silicon Valley and Bengaluru—makes it a major draw for business travelers.
5. Los Angeles (LAX) to Singapore (SIN)
Flight time: 17 hours and 35 minutes
Carrier: Singapore Airlines
Number of miles: 8,762
Connecting Southeast Asia with the U.S. West Coast, this 17-hour, 35-minute journey from Los Angeles to Singapore is one of the world’s longest nonstop flights. Operated by Singapore Airlines, the route is flown aboard the aforementioned Airbus A350-900ULR, which is distinguished by its absence of an economy cabin. Not only does this route link two global business hubs, but it also serves as a key gateway for U.S. travelers heading to Southeast Asia, making it easier than ever to explore the region.
6. Dallas (DFW) to Melbourne (MEL)
Flight time: 17 hours and 35 minutes
Carrier: Qantas
Number of miles: 8,990
Operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, this Qantas flight spans nearly 9,000 miles, connecting Australia with the southern United States in just under 18 hours, eliminating the need for layovers in Los Angeles or Sydney. With lie-flat business class seats, premium economy, and standard economy options, it’s designed to serve both business and leisure travelers making the trek across the globe. From Dallas, travelers can continue onward to many destinations around the U.S. with partner airline, American Airlines.
7. Perth (PER) to London (LHR)
Flight time: 17 hours and 30 minutes
Carrier: Qantas
Number of miles: 9,009
This Qantas flight from Perth to London was the first-ever nonstop commercial service between Australia and the United Kingdom. Covering more than 9,000 miles in roughly 17.5 hours, it launched in 2018 and marked a major milestone in ultra-long-haul travel by eliminating stopovers in Asia or the Middle East. Aboard the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, you’ll find lie-flat business class, premium economy, and standard economy cabins.
8. Dallas (DFW) to Sydney (SYD)
Flight time: 17 hours and 15 minutes
Carrier: Qantas
Number of miles: 8,580
This Dallas to Sydney route is also considered to be one of the world’s longest nonstop commercial flights. While Qantas primarily uses the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on international routes like this flight, the airline will begin alternating with the Airbus A380 aircraft in August 2025. The latter aircraft offers additional seats and is also the only one in Qantas’ current fleet to feature a first class. In addition to 14 first-class seats, it’ll offer 70 business class seats, 60 premium economy seats, and 341 economy seats.
9. Auckland (AKL) to Doha (DOH)
Flight time: 17 hours and 20 minutes
Carrier: Qatar Airways
Number of miles: 9,031
Spanning a total of 9,031 miles, Qatar Airways’ Auckland to Doha flight route ranks among the world’s longest flights. Passengers fly aboard Qatar Airways’ Airbus A350-1000, featuring the airline’s award-winning Qsuite Business Class, complete with fully lie-flat beds and sliding privacy doors. In economy, travelers enjoy generous legroom and a robust selection of in-flight entertainment.
In addition to linking New Zealand with the Middle East, this route offers easy onward connections to Europe, Africa, and Asia via Qatar Airways’ hub at Hamad International Airport in Doha.
10. Auckland (AKL) to Dubai (DXB)
Flight time: 17 hours and 5 minutes
Carrier: Emirates
Number of miles: 8,823
Emirates’ Auckland to Dubai service ranks among the longest A380-operated flights in the world, covering 8,823 miles in just over 17 hours. The route serves as a key jumping-off point for destinations across Europe, Africa, and Asia, thanks to Emirates’ extensive network out of Dubai.
Onboard the expansive double-decker aircraft, passengers can expect the airline’s signature amenities: private first-class suites, lie-flat business class seats, an onboard lounge and bar for premium cabins, and spacious economy cabins.
Tips for Getting Through Ultra-long-haul Flights
rudi_suardi/Getty Images
Opt for light, nutrient-dense meals and snacks.
“Before embarking on a long-haul flight, it’s a good idea to choose light, nutrient-rich meals to keep you feeling comfortable and energized,” says Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian based in Charleston, South Carolina. Choose easy-to-digest foods like lean proteins, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables, while avoiding heavy, greasy meals and carbonated drinks, which can contribute to bloating. For in-flight sustenance, Manaker recommends packing wholesome snacks (think: nuts, seeds, and granola bars) to help maintain energy levels throughout the journey.
Stay hydrated.
“Staying hydrated during a flight is crucial because the cabin air can be quite dry,” explains Manaker. “Try to drink water regularly throughout the flight, aiming for at least a cup every hour.”
While not essential, she notes that electrolyte supplements can be helpful—especially on longer flights—as they replenish key minerals and support hydration more effectively than water alone. One of her go-to options is Now’s Effer-Hydrate Effervescent Tablets, which are “easy to add to water while in the air.”
Adjust to your destination time zone.
When you board the plane, adjust your clocks to the time at your destination and do your best to eat, sleep, and function according to that new time zone, advises Dr. Rebecca Robbins, a sleep scientist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “For instance, if you board an overnight flight from New York to London, it most certainly is the middle of the night at your destination.” To help your body adjust, she recommends eating an early dinner the day of departure, skipping the in-flight meals and beverages, and letting the flight attendants know you’d prefer not to be disturbed so you can get some sleep.
Be strategic about your sleep setup.
Dr. Robins recommends traveling with pre-tested sleep accessories, such as earplugs and eye masks, telling Travel + Leisure, “Think of these as your armor against sounds and light on the plane, which you cannot always control.” Similarly, “You may also bring along items that give you comfort, such as a scarf that can double as a blanket.”
Use meditation to ease into rest.
According to Dr. Robbins, if you find yourself exhausted but unable to sleep—a common challenge when crossing time zones—focusing on breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques can help calm your body and ease you into a restful state. “If you are struggling to sleep, close your eyes and try to meditate,” she advises. “Bring all your attention to your breath, then imagine a bright light at your third eye. Focus all your attention on that light, expanding the light when you breathe in and making the light smaller as you breathe out.”
Consider taking melatonin.
“Taking exogenous melatonin, or melatonin in tablet form, for coping with jetlag can be beneficial,” explains Dr. Robbins. This is key because, per the pro, “melatonin fundamentally is for issues relating to a mismatch between our internally coded sleep and wake times and the pattern of light and darkness around us and/or social time at a new destination.” As always, consult your doctor before starting any new supplement.
