It broke the world record for the longest nonstop flight, knocking Singapore Airlines’ JFK-SIN route out of the top spot. As of October 2025, the winner is Xiamen Airlines’ 19-hour, 20-minute flight from New York (JFK) to Fuzhou (FOC) in southern China.
Newer aircraft can carry more fuel (and burn less), making ultra-long-haul non-stop flights like this one increasingly viable, and long-haul airlines are introducing jet lag. Reduced lighting, healthier food, and more comfortable seating are all amenities that attract passengers who may choose to transit.
Of course, frequent long-haul travelers are divided on whether it’s better to take a very long flight or just have a layover. Singapore-based TV executive Alisha Chopra is no stranger to spending hours on a plane, as she frequently travels to Sydney, the US and Europe. “Long-haul flights are tiring,” she says. “But I’d rather get there sooner than have to stop somewhere.”
What will be the world’s longest flight in 2025?
The 11,0777-mile journey from New York’s JFK Airport to Fuzhou Changle International Airport takes 19 hours and 20 minutes. Simple Flying and other aviation sites report that the flight time is very long because it avoids Russian airspace (a direct flight from JFK Airport to nearby Taipei takes about 16 hours). New York City has a significant Hokkien population, with approximately 160,000 passengers per year on the JFK-FOC route.
Top 10 longest nonstop flights by duration and distance
Save time and avoid missed connections with these ultra-long-haul, non-stop flights. Still, if you think being in the air for more than 17 hours is too long, you can break up your journey with stopover programs in cities like Doha and Istanbul to see the sights and stretch your legs. If you’re up for a long-haul flight, or just curious, read about the world’s 10 longest flights, ranked by time. Please note that all flight times and distances are approximate and may be affected by wind and other weather conditions.
| Ranking | flight path | airline | distance | Estimated flight time | aircraft |
| 1. | New York (JFK) to Fuzhou (FCO) | Xiamen Airlines | 11,077 miles | 19 hours 20 minutes | boeing 787-9 dreamliner |
| 2. | Newark (EWR) to Singapore (SIN) | singapore airlines | 9,534 miles | 19 hours 10 minutes | Airbus A350-900ULR |
| 3. | Singapore (SIN) to New York (JFK) | singapore airlines | 9,537 miles | 18 hours 55 minutes | Airbus A350-900ULR |
| 4. | New York (JFK) to Oakland (AKL) | Air New Zealand | 13,828 miles | 17 hours 45 minutes | boeing 787-9 dreamliner |
| 5. | London (LHR) to Perth (PER) | Qantas Airways | 9,009 miles | 17 hours 45 minutes | boeing 787-9 dreamliner |
| 6. | Auckland (AKL) to Doha (Doh) | qatar airways | 9,031 miles | 17 hours 20 minutes | Boeing 777-200LR (until March 28, 2026) |
| 7. | Dallas (DFW) to Melbourne (MEL) | Qantas Airways | 13,992 miles | 17 hours 35 minutes | boeing 787-9 dreamliner |
| 8. | Paris (CGD) to Perth (PER) | Qantas Airways | 8,862 miles | 17 hours 20 minutes | boeing 787-9 dreamliner |
| 9. | Dubai (DBX) to Auckland (AKL) | emirates airlines | 13,824 miles | 17 hours 15 minutes | Airbus A380-800 |
| 10. | johannesburg (JBO) to Atlanta (ATL) | delta | 13,655 miles | 17 hours | Airbus A350-900 |
What is it like to fly for more than 15 hours?
I flew the 15-hour route from Dallas to Sydney on Qantas, experiencing both business (to Australia) and premium economy (return).
Once we boarded our outbound flight, the flight attendant introduced herself, pointed out that the flight was long, and assured us that she was with us and that she would let us know if we needed anything. All Qantas Business Class seats recline into fully flat beds with direct aisle access. However, the pod style seating made it feel a bit isolated and we often didn’t notice people walking by.
Considering it was an overnight flight, I was exhausted and ready for bed as soon as the meal service was over. It was a long flight that spanned several courses, taking approximately 2 and a half hours to complete. After wearing the complimentary pajamas, converting the seat into a bed (which included adding a mattress topper, duvet, and pillow), and swallowing melatoning gummies, I slept for about 10 hours and only woke up tossing and turning a few times. When I woke up just before breakfast service, I felt refreshed. It was even more refreshing after drinking the cappuccino. I was able to sleep for nearly two-thirds of the flight, so the trip felt fast. We could have easily spent a few more hours on board with a good movie.
The return flight in premium economy was a different story. I was counting down the hours during that journey. The service was great, but my sleep was interrupted and the flight was extended. I chose an aisle seat because I didn’t want to be trapped if I needed to go to the bathroom. That decision meant I couldn’t sleep leaning against the window and would frequently bump into other passengers heading to the bathroom. I landed in Dallas.
The future of ultra-long-haul direct flights
Turkish Airlines, ranked 6th in Skytraxx’s annual aviation awards, plans to launch direct flights between Istanbul and Sydney at the end of 2026. The 9,300-mile flight is expected to take 17 hours. Direct flights between Istanbul and Melbourne are also planned for mid-2027.
Australia’s national carrier Qantas is working to launch non-stop flights from Sydney to London and New York in early or mid-2027. The routes, dubbed “Project Sunrise” because passengers will be able to see the sunrise twice during the flight, are likely to be the world’s longest flights. Sydney to London is a staggering 10,573 miles, which can take up to 20 hours, while New York is approximately 9,950 miles.
Related: Flying internationally? This airline offers the best value in business class
This article was originally published in 2023 and last updated on October 9, 2025. Sophie Friedman contributed reporting to this article.
