Emirates plans world’s longest flight

Emirates plans world’s longest flight
By Anne Majumdar


Emirates Airlines is planning on setting a new world record in February 2016 with flights between Dubai and Panama City.

The company said the connection will result in the longest non-stop flight in the world, needing 17 hours and 35 minutes to cover the 13,821 kilometres.

But what are the world’s current longest non-stop flights? Here are the top five according to the world aviation association IATA.

  1. Dallas to Sydney: The Australian airline Qantas flies 13,790 kilometres on this hop, taking nearly 17 hours over the Pacific.
  2. Johannesburg to Atlanta: The company Delta flies about 13,580 kilometres from South Africa to the United States. Passengers also have 17 hours to fill.
  3. Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles: Etihad Airways allows travellers to board in Abu Dhabi and 13,490 kilometres later land in Los Angeles, about 16.5 hours later.
  4. Dubai to Los Angeles: The Emirates flight travels 13,410 kilometres from the United Arab Emirates to the west coast of the United States. The trip also takes about 16.5 hours.
  5. Jeddah to Los Angeles: The airline Saudia needs nearly 17 hours to fly the some 13,400 kilometres from the Red Sea to the US West Coast.

Though the new record has not yet been set, another airline is already looking at surpassing it. Singapore Airlines hopes to utilise the new Airbus A350 to bring back flights from Singapore to New York and Los Angeles, routes which were cancelled in 2013.

The company has ordered seven Airbus A350-900ULR airplanes, which are set to be delivered in 2018. A special edition of the Airbus A350 can fly up to 16,110 kilometres in one go. Singapore Airlines is planning to fly on to other destinations within the United States.

 

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