Qatar Airways broke a highly sought-after aviation record and began operating the world’s longest commercial flight over the weekend, when it launched its new Doha to Auckland service.
The carrier stole the title from its Middle Eastern rival Emirates only months after the UAE airline obtained the record from the former and long time ‘world’s longest flight’ operator, Qantas.
Flight QR920 from the Qatari capital to the Land of the Long White Cloud took around 16 hours and 20 minutes on the Boeing 777, topping Emirates’ Dubai to Auckland flights by only 20 minutes.
But it’s the return flight from Auckland to Doh that really topped the record, with around 17 hours and 30 minutes of flight time due to high-altitude winds.
Yikes! 17.5 hours in the sky, that’s almost the equivalent of watching the lengthy Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice six times (although who wouldn’t mind 17-and-a-half hours of Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck and Gal Gadot?).
Some other interesting facts about Qatar’s new ‘world’s longest flight’ is that it travels 14,535 kilometres, passes over five countries AND crosses 10 time zones!
Incredible.
It will also fly with 400 kilograms of food and catering equipment, which is apparently the equivalent to 5,263 kiwi fruits. Plus it will carry 116 tonnes of cargo per week, which is like 1,162 sheep.
Image: Qatar Airways/Facebook
Qatar Airways better enjoy the record while it lasts, because Qantas is coming for the title next year when it commences its direct Perth to London service, which will take around 18 hours to complete.