23 unbelievable facts about the longest flights in the world

Singapore to Newark, New Jersey with Singapore Airlines (18-19 hours, 15,247 kilometres)

Once the world’s longest non-stop commercial route, Singapore Airlines’ 15,347-kilometre flight from Changi Airport over the Arctic Circle to Newark took between 18 and 19 hours, depending on the winds.
That’s almost a whole day and night on a plane, costing between USD $6,000 – USD $11,000 for the pleasure.
Soon after launching the route, Singapore Airlines switched its planes to an all-business class configuration with 100 lie-flat beds.
Non-stop flights save between three and four hours over one-stopover trips, but cost around 20% more.
Scrapped in 2013, Singapore Airlines is now looking to bring back its ultra-long flights, having invested in aircrafts that are more economical with fuel. New airplane models from Boeing and Airbus can travel more than 14,484 kilometres before needing to refuel.

An Air New Zealand Boeing 777 flies from London Heathrow to Auckland, covering 18,330 kilometres, but the plane stops in Los Angeles en route to refuel so cannot count as a non-stop flight, despite one plane covering all those kilometres.

The top 10 longest flights in the world currently all have a U.S. city as their destination or origin. Emirates has proposed the first that doesn’t, and it runs between Dubai International and Panama City. Due to launch on 1st February 2016, it’s estimated to take 17 hours and 35 minutes and cross nine time zones.
The flight will cover 14,000 kilometres, slightly longer as it avoids Iraqi and Syrian airspace.
Flying the new A380-800, Emirates offers free Wi-Fi in the sky, use of your mobile phone and seat-to-seat messaging.
A380 first class passengers on Emirates will enjoy a private suite with a personal mini-bar, ambient lighting, private cinema and a fully flat bed, as well as vanity table and mirror.
First class passengers will have access to the onboard Shower Spa with Bulgari toiletries and Timeless Spa products, so passengers can arrive feeling refreshed.
The A380 also offers an Onboard Lounge where you can enjoy a drink and meet other First and Business Class passengers in a convivial setting, 40,000 feet up in the air.

As of 1st February 2016, Dallas/Fort Worth to Sydney with Qantas will take second place in the world’s longest flight in terms of distance. Its maximum scheduled time is 16 hours and 55 minutes (even though the trip often takes closer to 15 hours and 30 minutes).
The Dallas to Sydney route is flown by the Qantas A380-800, which carries 323,000 litres of fuel.
The Qantas plane’s first-class suites and economy seats have been created by acclaimed industrial designer Marc Newson, and the latter boast adjustable headrests and a state-of-the-art foot net. Amenity kits are courtesy of fashion house, Kate Spade.
Qantas is the largest purchaser of Australian wines and serves a range on board the Dallas-Sydney flight. Food is overseen by celebrity chef Neil Perry of Sydney’s award-winning Rockpool restaurant.
Qantas once flew a Boeing 747 direct from London Heathrow to Sydney. It was 1989 and it took 20 hours. It carried no passengers.

Delta Airlines’ 13,580-kilometre haul from Johannesburg to Atlanta crosses South Africa and Namibia, then the Atlantic ocean before skimming the edge of Brazil, up over the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas on to Atlanta. Following Emirates’ new route in early 2016, it will be the third longest flight by distance in the world taking approximately 16 hours and 40 minutes. Be sure to look out the window on a clear day to catch a glimpse of the tropical islands below.

Scraping into the top five for now, the Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles flight with Etihad Airways will have you in the air for 16 hours and 25 minutes, covering 13,500 kilometres on a Boeing 777-200LR.
Etihad Airways offers an award-winning Diamond First Class on its Boeing 777-200LR, and passengers can enjoy a 1.8-metre reclining bed and 23-inch flat-screen tvs as well as meals from a personal in-flight chef on a dine-on-demand basis. The 16 hours and 25 minutes on board could almost be enjoyable.
Economy passengers aren’t left out by Etihad Airways and those flying overnight can enjoy an ergonomic neck pillow and reversible eye mask printed with “do not disturb” on one side, and “wake me for meals” on the other side. If you prefer to sleep through, there are plenty of snacks to keep hunger pangs at bay.

Saudia’s Jeddah-Los Angeles flight equals Qantas’ Dallas to Sydney flight in terms of flight time, but only covers 13,400 kilometres.
Saudia offers Wi-Fi connectivity on board its B777 planes that fly this route.

Feature and Slider images courtesy of Singapore Airlines