There’s something exciting about very long routes, at least until you’re aboard. It feels like
they’re pushing the envelope, even though it’s now fairly commonplace. This winter, there are 72
non-stop routes over 6,000 nautical miles – nearly 11,100 kilometers – from the US. While some may
end up being pushed back, the vast majority will operate. Today, let’s examine what’s available.
While there are 72 routes – specific airport pairs – it rises to 89 when airlines are included,
with the difference due to some routes having more than one operator. These include Delta and Korean
Air from Atlanta to Seoul, American and Air India from JFK to Delhi, and four airlines – American,
Delta, Qantas, and United – on the long journey between Los Angeles and Sydney.
This video looks only at non-stops, although we should note that there
are 11 one-stops over 6,000 NM, according to OAG schedules data.
These include Ethiopian Airlines from JFK and Newark to Addis Ababa via Lomé, Emirates from
JFK to Dubai via Milan, and Singapore Airlines from Houston to Singapore via Manchester.
Here’s a look at the top 10 longest routes out of the United States. The USA’s longest route – and
also that of the world – is JFK to Singapore, operated once daily by Singapore Airlines’
A350-900ULRs. The Star Alliance carrier is expected to resume Singapore-Newark in January,
with both the world’s first and second longest routes briefly coexisting.
However, it’ll revert to only Newark from the summer.
Singapore Airlines: JFK to SIN (8,287 NM) Singapore Airlines: EWR to SIN (8,285 NM)
Singapore Airlines: LAX to SIN (7,621 NM) Air India and United: SFO to BLR (7,561 NM)
United: IAH to SYD (7,470 NM) Qantas: DFW to SYD (7,454 NM)
Philippine Airlines: JFK to MNL (7,404 NM) Singapore Airlines & United: SFI to SIN (7,339 NM)
Delta: ATL to JNB (7,333 NM) Emirates: LAX to DXB (7,246 NM)
The non-stop airport pairs involve 14 US airports; those with four or more are outlined
in this chart. Given Los Angeles’ location, it’s no surprise that it has the most long-haul routes.
But Seattle is an intriguing one. Its longest route is with American Airlines to Bangalore,
now expected to start on January 4th; the Emerald city also hosts Emirates to Dubai;
Qatar Airways to Doha; and Singapore Airlines to Changi airport- due to resume on January 1st.
Los Angeles (LAX): 14 airport pairs 6,000+ NM (excludes those with 2+ airlines)
San Francisco (SFO): 11
Chicago (ORD): 9
New York JFK: 7
Newark (EWR): 7
Washington (IAD): 6
Dallas (DFW): 5
Seattle-Tacoma (SEA): 4
The non-stops also involve 27 airports abroad,
such as Cebu in the Philippines, connected to Los Angeles twice weekly. With nine
routes over 6,000 NM, Dubai has more long examples than any other airport,
followed by Doha, Delhi, Hong Kong, and Sydney. Hong Kong is slowly planning to reopen,
with six US airports connected this winter across three carriers. However, a seventh airport
(Dallas) is due to welcome back American’s route to Hong Kong on March 27th, the first
day of the northern hemisphere’s summer season. There are a handful of less-discussed long routes
to the US. These include Saudia’s service from Jeddah to Los Angeles,
Kenya Airways from Nairobi to JFK, and Xiamen from Los Angeles to its namesake city.
Restarting on December 11th is Saudia’s Los Angeles link. At 7,240 NM,
it is the 11th longest non-stop to the US. Served thrice-weekly using the 777-300ER,
it combines not just a long duration – 16 hours and 40 minutes to California – but also a less
favorable departure time: 5:40am from Jeddah, and arriving Los Angeles at 11:00 local time.
What is the longest route you’ve been on? Which route
on this list looks the most appealing to you? Let us know in the comments.