Copyright timesnownews
How long can you sit in a plane before your legs start begging for mercy? Six hours? Ten? We can barely do 4 but if you're a lover of long flights, there's a new challenge for you, because the new world’s longest nonstop flight is officially a 19-hour-and-20-minute sky marathon. Chinese carrier Xiamen Air has snatched the 'longest flight in the world' crown with its new New York (JFK) to Fuzhou (FOC) route, which involves flying passengers halfway across the world without a single stop (that’s nearly 12,505 kilometres ). For context, you could watch the entire Harry Potter series in the flight! The airline previously ran this route between 2017 and 2020 but brought it back in 2024 with upgraded long-range aircraft. And here’s the wild part; it’s not even the most direct path! Because Xiamen Air avoids Russian airspace, the jet takes a slightly longer, scenic detour, pushing the total airtime beyond the 19-hour mark. You’d think people would run from 20-hour flights but if reports are to be believed, ultra-long-haul travel is having a moment. More travellers prefer to fly direct and skip layover chaos, airport queues, and the dread of missed connections. Plus, newer aircraft are built for comfort with quieter cabins and food that actually tastes good at 35,000 feet. The Current Top 10 Longest Nonstop Flights In The WorldNew York (JFK) → Fuzhou (FOC): 19h 20m Newark (EWR) → Singapore (SIN): 19h 10m New York (JFK) → Singapore (SIN): 18h 55m New York (JFK) → Auckland (AKL): 17h 45m London (LHR) → Perth (PER): 17h 45m Auckland (AKL) → Doha (DOH): 17h 20m Dallas (DFW) → Melbourne (MEL): 17h 35m Paris (CDG) → Perth (PER): 17h 20m Dubai (DXB) → Auckland (AKL): 17h 15m Johannesburg (JNB) → Atlanta (ATL): 17h 00m But Is This All?If 19 hours in the air is not enough, there is more news on the horizon. Qantas is gearing up to make aviation history with Project Sunrise, a 20-hour nonstop flight from Sydney to London, set to launch in early 2027. Covering 17,015 kilometres, it will become the world’s longest passenger flight. The name says it all: travellers will witness two sunrises in one journey! Travel News - Find latest news and tips based on Indian and World travel including top 10 travel destination, tourism information, how to reach visit and more at Times Now.
