"Are we there yet?" usually issues from the mouths of children. But
aboard these 11 flights, even the adults pester flight attendants with
such questions. U.S. News Travel sought out the most
painstakingly long journeys in the sky. While some people measure
length by mileage, we believe the flight's duration is much more
important to travelers. After all, you only want to be stuck on a plane
with strangers for so long.
The numerical data below was provided by each airline.
- Miles: 8,059
- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours
- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours
Cathay Pacific offers not one, not two, but three direct flights
every day from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). Each Boeing 777 takes about 16
hours to reach its Asian destination. The flight's carrier, Cathay
Pacific, is unfamiliar to most Americans, but it is one of the largest
airlines in Asia and Hong Kong's official airline. As travel between
Asia and North America steadily increases, look for an escalating number
of Cathay Pacific planes in your local airport.
8. Dallas-Fort Worth to Brisbane on Qantas (Tie)
- Miles: 8,584
- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours
- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours
Jumping 16 hours ahead, travelers flying from Texas Cowboy
Country to the Australian Outback will probably experience some jet lag.
Add to that 15 hours of airtime, and the trek could be downright
painful. Luckily, Qantas pampers its passengers with ergonomic seats,
personal on-demand entertainment sets, three meals, and complimentary
wine. Upon request, customers can also receive "dopp kits" complete with
a razor, toothbrush, deodorant, and other products to freshen up on
board. When travelers get restless or hungry, they can take a short walk
to the self-service snack bar, which is fully stocked with free
goodies.
8. Johannesburg to New York on South African Airways (Tie)
- Miles: 7,970
- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours
- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours
In May 2011, South African Airways began its nonstop service from
Johannesburg, South Africa, to New York's JFK airport. Operating once a
day, an Airbus 340-600 shuttles more than 300 passengers around the
globe. During their voyage, travelers receive two full meals, one snack,
and complimentary beverages, including wine and spirits. In coach, the
2-4-2 seat configuration reduces the number of middle seats that
regularly appear on planes with 3-3-3 arrangements. The seat-back
entertainment screen comes with lots of programming as well as
instructional videos for stretching during the flight.
8. Newark to Hong Kong on United Airlines (Tie)
-- Miles: 8,065
-- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours
-- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours
Departing from NYC's stepsister, travelers on United Flight 79
must sit tight for 16 hours before reaching their final destination. For
frequent flyers, the commute from Newark to Hong Kong can be a rough
one. International flights on U.S. carriers usually receive a bad rep.
Small issues (like food quality and cramped seats) that are regularly
overlooked on shorter flights balloon into big inconveniences during
longer trips. American carriers also tend to receive lower customer
satisfaction ratings on SkyTrax. For instance, United Airlines has a 4.1
out of 10 customer review score. Be sure to consider the onboard
conditions before booking a lengthy flight on an American airline.
6. Atlanta to Johannesburg on Delta Airlines (Tie)
- Miles: 8,433
- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours 15 Minutes
- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours 15 Minutes
It takes four pilots and two separate flight crews to handle
Delta Flight 200 from Atlanta, Ga., to Johannesburg, South Africa. The
Boeing 777LR used to make this trip travels 8,433 miles between the two
cities and consumes almost 40,000 gallons of fuel. Meanwhile, when it
comes to needing sustenance, the plane isn't alone. On board this
16-hour-and-15-minute flight, passengers annually consume approximately
70,000 cans of soda, 100,000 bags of pretzels, 200,000 bags of peanuts,
and a half-million pounds of ice. The two in-flight meals offer a taste
of American and South African cuisine. For instance, one current entree
is a Lemon Spiced Kingklip, a type of fish native to South African
waters.
6. Doha to Houston on Qatar Airways (Tie)
- Miles: 8,047
- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours 15 Minutes
- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours 15 Minutes
Qatar Airways operates a marathon flight route between sunny
Doha, Qatar, and humid Houston, Texas. Flying westward to the United
States, the journey usually takes just over 16 hours. Economy passengers
receive an amenity kit with an eye mask, toothbrush, and even socks to
make them feel more at home. They can also follow the "Fly Healthy, Fly
Fit" guide and perform some relaxation techniques onboard, such as deep
breathing and stretching. While they're not sleeping or dining,
travelers can view hundreds of films on their personal 10.6-inch TV
screen.
5. Dubai to Houston on Emirates Airlines
- Miles: 8,164*
- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours 20 Minutes
- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours 20 Minutes
From oil capital to oil capital, Emirates Airlines brings people
from Dubai to Houston on a lengthy nonstop flight. Commonly called a
luxury carrier, the airline prides itself on its service on and off the
plane. Flight attendants conduct two meal services, while the "As You
Like It" menu (which includes pizza, fruit, and chocolates) is available
throughout the journey. Additionally, travelers can take advantage of
the full complimentary bar to calm their nerves. On this 16-plus hour
trek, there's plenty of time to try all of Emirates Airlines' offerings.
4. Dubai to Los Angeles on Emirates Airlines
- Miles: 8,335*
- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours 30 Minutes
- Scheduled Duration: 16 Hours 30 Minutes
Emirates Airlines runs a flight between glamorous L.A. and even
more opulent Dubai. On the massive Boeing 777-200LR, passengers can
choose to spend the 16.5 hours in the 216-seat economy cabin, the
42-seat business class area (that features lie-flat seats), or the eight
ultra-posh suites. Each cabin showcases Emirates' unique starlit
ceiling that reflects the time of day at the destination. This lighting
system helps combat symptoms of jet lag. However, the price you pay for
your journey might give you a headache: An economy-class ticket runs
between $1,800 and $2,400, while a first-class ride jumps into the
$12,700 to $14,000 range.
3. Los Angeles to Bangkok on Thai Airways
- Miles: 8,260*
- Scheduled Duration: 17 Hours 30 Minutes
- Scheduled Duration: 17 Hours 30 Minutes
Aside from having the most delicious food for economy travelers,
Thai Airways operates one of the longest flights in the world, traveling
from L.A. to Bangkok. Spanning 8,260 miles, the path of this Airbus
A340-500 takes 17 hours and 30 minutes. Travelers appreciate the tasty
onboard meals and congenial staff. In fact, Thai Airways receives
SkyTrax's elite four-star rating, indicating a high level of customer
satisfaction.
2. Newark to Singapore on Singapore Airlines
- Miles: 10,371
- Scheduled Duration: 18 Hours
- Scheduled Duration: 18 Hours
From Newark to Singapore, travelers aboard this 18-hour jaunt
receive some much-needed pampering. For this long voyage, Singapore
Airlines (SQ) employs an Airbus 340-500. Normally holding more than 300
passengers, SQ's luxury aircraft hosts only 100 seats. But to call them
"seats" is really unfair; they're more like beds. Set in a 1-2-1
configuration (one at each window and two in the middle), the reclining
chairs offer immediate access to the aisle. Should you be on this
flight, you'll want to get up and move around, especially in the
direction of the self-service snack bar. After all, you're on the
longest flight in the world by distance.
1. Los Angeles to Singapore, Singapore Airlines
- Miles: 9,500
- Scheduled Duration: 18 Hours 30 Minutes
- Scheduled Duration: 18 Hours 30 Minutes
Currently, Singapore Airlines operates the longest flight in the
world by duration, racking up 18 hours and 30 minutes in the air in just
one go. From Los Angeles to Singapore, a business-class only airplane
shuttles 100 passengers halfway across the globe. Most people are
surprised to learn that this trip takes longer than the airline's
Newark-Singapore flight, which travels about 800 more miles. The Newark
flight path across the North Pole subjects the aircraft to less wind
resistance, allowing it to travel faster than the flight from L.A.,
which crosses the Pacific Ocean.
*These figures were taken from third-party sources, as the airline was unavailable for confirmation.
Source : http://finance.yahoo.com
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