The 9 Longest Nonstop Flights in the World (2026 Rankings)

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I’ve spent three to six months of every year traveling for more than a decade, and I’ve logged plenty of long-haul flights along the way, including several on this list. A few were bucket-list adventures in the sky. Others just made me very glad to land.

For this guide to the nine longest nonstop flights in the world in 2026, I looked into official airline schedules, cross-checked distances on Great Circle Mapper, and confirmed flight times with the carriers. Only regularly scheduled nonstop commercial flights made the cut, so no charters or tech stops. Because I’ve flown several of these routes myself, I can tell you what it’s really like to spend 16, 17, even 18-plus hours in the air, and how to come out the other side feeling somewhat human.

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The 9 longest nonstop airline routes

Let’s explore the longest nonstop flights in the world in 2026. These flights range from 16 to nearly 20 hours, covering distances upwards of 10,000 miles.

1. New York (JFK) – Singapore (SIN) — Singapore Airlines SQ23

• Distance: ~9,537 miles (15,349 km)
• Duration: ~18h 50m
• Aircraft: Airbus A350-900ULR

This is currently the longest nonstop commercial flight in the world, edging out every other scheduled route in both distance and time. It links New York’s JFK to Singapore Changi without a single stop, covering nearly half the globe in one go.

I’ve flown it, and while the idea of sitting on a plane for almost 19 hours sounds brutal, Singapore Airlines does just about everything possible to make it bearable. The A350-900ULR is configured with only business and premium economy seating — no standard economy — which means wider seats, better recline, and noticeably more personal space. Service is impeccable, meals are thoughtful and spaced out, and the cabin lighting is adjusted to help fight jet lag.

My tips for this flight:

• Choose your seat wisely. In business class, a window seat away from the galley will give you more privacy and quiet. In premium economy, aim for the bulkhead row for extra legroom.
• Plan your sleep. I split the flight into two blocks — rest during the first half, then stay awake for the second to help adjust to Singapore time.
• Stay hydrated. The ultra-long duration can sneak up on you, so I drink water regularly and avoid alcohol until the last few hours.

If you’re a true aviation geek or just want to say you’ve conquered the world’s longest nonstop route, this one should be on your list.

2. Singapore (SIN) – Newark (EWR) — Singapore Airlines SQ21

• Distance: ~9,535 miles (15,343 km)
• Duration: ~18h 25m
• Aircraft: Airbus A350-900ULR

This flight is virtually neck-and-neck with the JFK–Singapore route — just two miles shorter — and uses the same specialized Airbus A350-900ULR designed for ultra-long-haul comfort. It departs Singapore in the early morning and arrives in Newark the same day, despite being in the air for over 18 hours.

I’ve flown this one as well, and in many ways it feels identical to the JFK service: a quiet, spacious cabin, stellar service, and a schedule that’s carefully planned to help reduce jet lag. The main difference is the Newark arrival, which for some travelers is more convenient if they’re connecting to other East Coast cities.

My tips for this flight:

• Consider which New York–area airport works best for your plans. If you’re headed straight into Manhattan or points west, Newark may save you time compared to JFK.
• Premium economy is solid value here. You’ll still get enhanced recline, extra legroom, and Singapore Airlines’ excellent meal service at a fraction of the business-class price.
• Bring your own entertainment backup. While the KrisWorld system is extensive, having downloaded shows or playlists makes the hours pass faster, especially if you wake up in the middle of the night mid-Pacific.

For me, this flight’s biggest perk is avoiding any U.S. domestic connection after 18+ hours in the air…stepping off in Newark and heading straight home is priceless.

3. Auckland (AKL) – Doha (DOH) — Qatar Airways QR921

• Distance: ~9,032 miles (14,535 km)
• Duration: ~16h 34m
• Aircraft: Boeing 777-200LR

This route is a serious endurance test — a long Trans-Pacific segment followed by a massive Indian Ocean crossing — and it’s been a consistent contender in the top three longest flights for years. It connects New Zealand’s North Island directly to Qatar’s capital, making it a critical link for both leisure and business travelers.

While I haven’t flown this exact flight end-to-end, I’ve done similar Qatar Airways ultra-long-hauls and can vouch for the experience. The airline’s Qsuite business class is one of the best in the world, with private sliding doors, dine-on-demand service, and the ability to turn two seats into a double bed — a dream setup for couples. Even in economy, the service is polished and the cabin crews are attentive, with frequent meal and drink service to break up the long journey.

My tips for this flight:

• Book Qsuite if possible. It turns an ultra-long-haul into a genuinely enjoyable experience, and the privacy makes it easier to sleep.
• Mind the departure time. This flight leaves Auckland in the evening, so I try to eat lightly before boarding, get a few hours of rest early on, and then adjust to Doha time midflight.
• Hydrate and move. The 777-200LR has a relatively roomy cabin, so I make a point to walk the aisles a few times during the flight.

At just over 16 and a half hours, this is one of the few flights where you really feel like you’ve traveled halfway around the world…because you have.

4. Perth (PER) – London Heathrow (LHR) — Qantas QF9

• Distance: ~9,009 miles (14,498 km)
• Duration: ~17h 15m
• Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

This Australia–Europe nonstop was a game-changer when it launched, and it remains one of the most efficient ways to connect the two continents. It’s also a relatively new entry into the world’s longest flights list, overtaking older routes thanks to the fuel efficiency and range of modern aircraft like the 787-9.

I’ve flown Qantas long-hauls before. And what stands out is how much thought they’ve put into making ultra-long-haul travel more bearable. On QF9, they’ve designed a special onboard menu with ingredients meant to help with hydration and digestion, plus adjusted cabin lighting to encourage better sleep cycles. The Dreamliner’s larger windows and improved cabin pressure also make a noticeable difference on a 17-hour journey.

My tips for this flight:

• Book a seat toward the front of the cabin. The reduced engine noise and quicker meal service make a difference on such a long leg.
• Use Perth as a “jet lag buffer.” If you’re coming from another part of Australia, overnight in Perth before flying to London to break up the journey.
• Stay active. The 787-9 has a bit more aisle space than older aircraft, so I make a point to get up and stretch every few hours.

Flying directly from Western Australia to the UK in one go still feels surreal. No stopovers in the Middle East or Asia, just one long, sleek leap across the globe.

5. Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) – Melbourne (MEL) — Qantas QF22

• Distance: ~8,992 miles (14,474 km)
• Duration: ~17h 35m
• Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

This ultra-long-haul route is part of Qantas’ growing network of nonstop U.S.–Australia flights, giving travelers in the central and eastern United States a direct link to Melbourne without the West Coast connection. It’s a serious time saver, cutting hours off the journey compared to itineraries that require transits through Los Angeles or Sydney.

I haven’t flown this exact route yet, but I’ve done similar Qantas 787-9 long-hauls, and they’ve consistently impressed me with how they handle the demands of 17+ hours in the air. The Dreamliner’s cabin humidity and lower pressurization make a noticeable difference in how you feel after landing. Qantas also staggers meal service and offers snacks throughout the flight. This helps keep your energy up on such a long trip.

My tips for this flight:

• Aim for the side pair seats in premium economy. On the 787-9, the 2-3-2 layout means those side pairs feel more private and are great for couples.
• Plan your sleep based on arrival. This flight arrives in Melbourne in the morning, so I recommend sleeping during the first half of the flight and staying awake for the second half.
• Hydration is your friend. Even with the Dreamliner’s better cabin air, 17 hours can dry you out quickly. I keep a water bottle at my seat at all times.

For travelers connecting beyond Melbourne — to Tasmania, Adelaide, or even New Zealand — this route makes the journey smoother and less fragmented.

6. Perth (PER) – Paris (CDG) — Qantas QF33

• Distance: ~8,863 miles (14,265 km)
• Duration: ~17h 20m
• Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

This seasonal nonstop is one of Qantas’ more intriguing long-haul additions, directly linking Western Australia to Paris without the usual stop in Asia or the Middle East. For Australians heading to Europe — especially during the busy summer travel season — it’s a huge time-saver and an appealing alternative to the London route.

I haven’t flown this exact pairing yet, but I’ve done enough long-haul Dreamliner flights on Qantas to know the experience is a notch above most carriers. The 787-9 is equipped with upgraded cabin humidity, lower altitude pressurization, and larger windows, all of which help reduce fatigue after 17+ hours in the air. Qantas has also been strategic with meal timing and lighting on these flights to help passengers adjust faster to the big time-zone jump.

My tips for this flight:

• If you’re connecting from elsewhere in Australia, overnight in Perth. It breaks up the trip and makes the long haul more manageable.
• Consider premium economy for better rest. The extra legroom, wider seats, and upgraded service are worth it on an overnight flight of this length.
• Use the arrival time to your advantage. You’ll land in Paris in the early morning…perfect for dropping your bags and jumping straight into sightseeing to fight jet lag.

For travelers who want to skip the London connection and head straight to mainland Europe, this route is a game-changer. This is especially true if you’re starting in Western Australia.

7. New York (JFK) – Auckland (AKL) — Air New Zealand (NZ1) & Qantas (QF4)

• Distance: ~8,828 miles (14,205 km)
• Duration: ~17h 35m
• Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

This route is one of the most exciting re-entries to the longest flights list. For years, traveling between New York and New Zealand meant at least one, often two, stops, but thanks to the range of the Dreamliner you can now fly it nonstop. Two carriers run it as separate services: Air New Zealand launched the first nonstop in 2022 (NZ1/NZ2), and Qantas added its own in 2023 (QF3/QF4). Both use the Boeing 787-9, so you can shop either airline for the better fare or schedule.

I haven’t flown this exact pairing yet, but I’ve crossed the Pacific on similar-length Dreamliner flights, and the comfort upgrade over older aircraft is noticeable. Larger windows, better cabin air pressure, and improved humidity all help with that “I just flew halfway around the planet” fatigue.

My tips for this flight:

• Choose your seat for sleep. On the 787-9, I like a window seat toward the front of economy or in premium economy for a quieter cabin and less foot traffic.
• Plan your in-flight routine. Since you cross the International Date Line, it’s easy to lose track of time. I set my watch to Auckland time at boarding and plan meals and naps accordingly.
• Compare both airlines. Because Air New Zealand and Qantas both fly it nonstop, fares and departure times can differ quite a bit. It pays to check each before booking.

For travelers heading to New Zealand from the U.S. East Coast, this nonstop is a massive time-saver and makes Auckland feel more connected to North America than ever.

8. Singapore (SIN) – Los Angeles (LAX) — Singapore Airlines SQ37/SQ38

• Distance: ~8,770 miles (14,114 km)
• Duration: ~17h 45m
• Aircraft: Airbus A350-900 / A350-900ULR

This is one of the longest nonstop flights linking Southeast Asia to the U.S. West Coast, and it’s a true test of endurance at nearly 18 hours each way. SQ37 runs Singapore to Los Angeles, and SQ38 brings you back, so West Coast travelers heading to Singapore or deeper into Southeast Asia get there without a layover. Some departures use the standard A350-900, while others fly the premium-heavy A350-900ULR, the same ultra-long-range jet used on Singapore Airlines’ record-setting routes.

I’ve flown Singapore Airlines ultra-long-hauls many times, and the difference in comfort is obvious: quieter cabins, carefully timed lighting and meal service to fight jet lag, and crew who stay attentive long after the first meal. Even in economy, the seat pitch and ergonomics make a real difference over this distance.

My tips for this flight:

• Aim for the ULR version if you can. The premium-heavy layout means more space per passenger and a quieter cabin.
• Choose your seat strategically. Window seats give you something to lean on for sleep, while aisle seats make it easier to move around, which matters on a leg this long.
• Stay synced to your destination. I switch my devices to Singapore time at boarding and try to align sleep with morning in Singapore, even when it feels unnatural.

If you want to see how far modern aviation can take you in a single leap, this is one of the ultimate nonstop experiences.

9. Manila (MNL) – New York (JFK) — Philippine Airlines PR126/PR127

• Distance: ~8,510 miles (13,700 km)
• Duration: ~15h 55m to 16h 40m
• Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000

Rounding out the list is Philippine Airlines’ marathon link between Manila and New York, one of the longest routes connecting Southeast Asia directly to the U.S. East Coast. It crosses the Pacific and most of North America in a single leap, sparing travelers the usual layover in a West Coast or Asian hub. PR126 flies Manila to JFK, and PR127 brings you back, with block times running between roughly 16 and 17 hours depending on direction and winds.

What makes this route worth watching in 2026 is the aircraft. Philippine Airlines has moved its new flagship Airbus A350-1000 onto the run, a three-class jet with private business suites, a proper premium economy cabin, and one of the airline’s most modern economy products. The carrier first launched nonstop Manila–New York service back in 2018, so this is a route it has spent years refining.

My tips for this flight:

• Look at premium economy. On a flight this long, the A350-1000’s premium economy is a meaningful step up in space and recline without the business-class price.
• Plan around the time difference. Manila is well ahead of New York, so I set my watch to the destination at boarding and time my sleep to land closer to local rhythm.
• Use the eastbound winds. The Manila-to-New York leg is often a bit faster thanks to favorable winds, so if schedule flexibility matters, that direction tends to feel slightly shorter.

For travelers connecting onward from Manila across the Philippines or wider Southeast Asia, this nonstop turns what used to be a two-flight ordeal into a single, if very long, hop.