Ultra Long-Haul flights

Over my career, I have done several 4-6,000 mile nonstop flights. The longest nonstop I have pulled was around 8,000 miles. My rule of thumb – the longer the flight, the more painful it is. Not just the air time, the additional jet lag from the further time zone of the place you are headed to.

As far as the flight, if you can stretch out, if you have access to a power outlet, wifi access and plenty of hydration I find it better than changing planes/getting a hotel en route. Especially on newer planes where the pressurization, humidity, lighting and other features do make a difference in the comfort level.

As global airlines recover from the pandemic, we are entering the age of what are called ultra long-haul flights which last over 16 hours.  Ben Schlappig who writes the One Mile at a Time blog identifies 17 of the longest flights (by distance, not time since flight time varies depending on seasonal wind patterns) currently operating or scheduled soon. Every one of them is rated at a distance over 8,000 miles.

• New York (JFK) to Singapore (SIN) / Singapore Airlines / 9,537 miles / Airbus A350-900ULR
• Newark (EWR) to Singapore (SIN) / Singapore Airlines / 9,523 miles / Airbus A350-900ULR (resumes March 27, 2022)
• Perth (PER) to London (LHR) / Qantas / 9,010 miles / Boeing 787-9 (resumes March 27, 2022)
• Auckland (AKL) to Dubai (DXB) / Emirates / 8,824 miles / Boeing 777-200LR (resumes July 1, 2022)
• Los Angeles (LAX) to Singapore (SIN) / Singapore Airlines / 8,770 miles / Airbus A350-900ULR
• San Francisco (SFO) to Bangalore (BLR) / Air India / 8,701 miles / Boeing 777-200LR
• Darwin (DRW) to London (LHR) / Qantas / 8,620 miles / Boeing 787-9
• Houston (IAH) to Sydney (SYD) / United Airlines / 8,596 miles / Boeing 787-9 (resumes March 26, 2022)
• Dallas (DFW) to Sydney (SYD) / Qantas / 8,578 miles / Boeing 787-9 (resumes February 16, 2022)
• New York (JFK) to Manila (MNL) / Philippine Airlines / 8,520 miles / Airbus A350-900
• San Francisco (SFO) to Singapore (SIN) / Singapore Airlines & United Airlines / 8,446 miles / Airbus A350-900 & Boeing 787-9
• Johannesburg (JNB) to Atlanta (ATL) / Delta / 8,439 miles / Airbus A350-900
• Dubai (DXB) to Los Angeles (LAX) / Emirates / 8,339 miles / Airbus A380
• Jeddah (JED) to Los Angeles (LAX) / Saudia / 8,332 miles / Boeing 777-300ER (resumes April 25, 2022)
• Doha (DOH) to Los Angeles (LAX) / Qatar Airways / 8,306 miles / Airbus A350-1000
• Hyderabad (HYD) to Chicago (ORD) / Air India / 8,263 miles / Boeing 777-200LR
• Toronto (YYZ) to Manila (MNL) / Philippine Airlines / 8,221 miles / Airbus A350-900

Below is a video from Sam Chui, who has one of the most watched aviation channels on YouTube. He reviews the Newark to Singapore flight (2^nd on the list above). He flew in premium economy. I would very grudgingly take that on Singapore Air. Most other airlines it would have to be in business or first.

Actually, come to think of it, I would rather have Ben and Sam just do the trips and share their reviews!