If you thought ten hours on a plane was unbearable, brace yourself for the new world record in aviation endurance. Chinese airline Xiamen Air has officially launched the world’s longest nonstop flight — a staggering 19 hours and 20 minutes from New York to Fuzhou. That’s enough time to binge-watch an entire Netflix series, catch multiple meals, and still have hours left to stare out the window over continents and oceans.

Xiamen Air’s Marathon In The Sky

The New York to Fuzhou route covers approximately 12505 kilometres, making it the longest commercial flight currently in operation. The journey was previously available between 2017 and 2020, but after a brief hiatus, it returned in 2024 with upgraded long-range aircraft capable of enduring the extended hours in the air.

Interestingly, the route is not even the most direct path. Due to restrictions over Russian airspace, the flight takes a slightly longer curved trajectory, adding hundreds of kilometres to the total journey and making the 19-hour duration even more impressive.

Why Travelers Are Loving Ultra Long Flights

While 20 hours on a plane might sound like a test of patience, more and more travellers are choosing these ultra-long-haul journeys. The appeal lies in skipping layovers, airport chaos, and long transits. Direct flights save time and reduce the stress of missed connections, offering a smoother overall experience.

Modern aircraft now make such marathon flights more bearable, thanks to quieter cabins, better air pressure systems, and food menus designed to keep passengers comfortable through multiple meal cycles. Airlines have also invested in lighting and seating innovations to minimize jet lag, making even 19 hours in the air surprisingly manageable.

The Current Top 10 Longest Nonstop Flights In The World

  1. New York (JFK) to Fuzhou (FOC): 19 hours 20 minutes

  2. Newark (EWR) to Singapore (SIN): 19 hours 10 minutes

  3. New York (JFK) to Singapore (SIN): 18 hours 55 minutes

  4. New York (JFK) to Auckland (AKL): 17 hours 45 minutes

  5. London (LHR) to Perth (PER): 17 hours 45 minutes

  6. Auckland (AKL) to Doha (DOH): 17 hours 20 minutes

  7. Dallas (DFW) to Melbourne (MEL): 17 hours 35 minutes

  8. Paris (CDG) to Perth (PER): 17 hours 20 minutes

  9. Dubai (DXB) to Auckland (AKL): 17 hours 15 minutes

  10. Johannesburg (JNB) to Atlanta (ATL): 17 hours

The Future Of Long Distance Flying

While Xiamen Air holds the crown for now, it may not be for long. Australian carrier Qantas is gearing up to launch Project Sunrise, an ambitious 20-hour nonstop route between Sydney and London by 2027. If all goes as planned, it will become the new longest passenger flight in the world, covering over 17000 kilometres and giving travellers the rare chance to witness two sunrises during one journey.

Ultra-long-distance aviation is clearly entering a new era. As aircraft technology evolves and travellers crave convenience over connections, such sky marathons could soon become the norm for intercontinental travel.

 

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