A new info graphic has been released that shows exactly how long the longest flights in the world are. To be expected, Emirates ranks high, but there are some surprising contenders too.
It’s been quite some time since Qantas – the Flying Kangaroo – operated the world’s longest commercial flight between Perth and Colombo in 1943. Back then, it took over 28 hours, and seated just three passengers on a tiny Catalina aircraft travelling at 200km/h.
Just three seats? My how things have changed!
In recent times, Singapore Airlines operated the world’s longest flight with its all-business class service from Singapore to Newark, a distance of 15,329 km. But they cancelled that service in 2013, and the record returned to Qantas with their Sydney to Dallas/Fort Worth service, a distance of 13,804 km, and a duration of 16 hours and 55 minutes.
However, as of 31 March this year, Emirates will become the new title holder, thanks to a 17 hour and 35 minutes service from Dubai to Panama City. The flight will travel 13,821 km on an Emirates Boeing 777-200LR aircraft.
The announcement comes just days after Emirates confirmed it would start flying non-stop between Dubai and Auckland – a flying time of 17 hours and 15 minutes.
But for how long will the Dubai-based airline hold onto said title?
Well, not for long, according to Wego.com, the leading travel search site in the Asia Pacific and Middle East.
According to the website, the aviation landscape is developing at such a rapid pace that 2016 is set to become a year of record-breaking. The bulk of the development is coming from Middle Eastern carriers who continue to grow, purchasing larger fleets of wide body aircraft in dazzling numbers.
In fact, of the top 11 longest flights in the world, eight are serviced by Middle Eastern airlines, including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar and Saudi Arabian Airlines.
But our own home-grown Qantas is looking to reclaim the top title with the airline expressing their intentions to operate a direct Perth to London service, a distance of 14,000 kms, when they receive their 787-900 in 2017.
Here’s an info graphic showing the current longest flights in the world.
According to Dean Wicks, Chief Flights Officer for Wego, 2016 is promising to be a “big year” in the aviation industry, with new aircraft, services and airports – along with fierce competition – making it a great time to travel.
Any surprises here? Do you think you could last 17+ hours on a flight? Let us know in the comments below.
