Ultra-long-haul flights are redefining the possibilities of global travel, connecting distant cities with non-stop ease and remarkable comfort. In 2025, several new routes are set to push the boundaries of endurance and luxury in the skies.
United Airlines is once again making headlines by launching its direct Houston to Sydney service, a journey spanning 8,596 miles and lasting approximately 17 and a half hours. This route now stands as one of United’s flagship long-haul offerings, just behind their Los Angeles to Singapore non-stop, which covers 8,770 miles and remains one of the world’s premier ultra-long-haul flights.
Despite these impressive distances, Qatar Airways continues to operate the world’s longest commercial flight: a Doha to Auckland route covering 9,032 miles over 10 time zones. The airline utilizes a Boeing 777-200LR for this 17-hour, 30-minute journey, maintaining its status as a benchmark for ultra-long-haul excellence.
Adding to the excitement, Qantas has further elevated the ultra-long-haul experience with its non-stop London to Perth service. This direct routing, which takes around 17 hours and 20 minutes, has become the longest non-stop flight departing the UK, offering a seamless connection between Europe and Western Australia.
Explore our in-depth review of Qantas' London-Perth non-stop flight
Singapore Airlines has also reclaimed its title for operating the world’s longest scheduled commercial flight with the relaunch of its non-stop Singapore to New York route. The 18-hour journey is now flown by the state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900ULR, a model specifically engineered for ultra-long-range performance and passenger comfort.
This advanced aircraft is also deployed on direct services to Los Angeles, as well as new US destinations, reflecting a broader trend towards point-to-point global connectivity. Meanwhile, Qantas continues to explore direct Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to London and New York flights, each projected to exceed 20 hours and set new records for flight duration once regulatory and technical milestones are met in the coming years.
Discover our updated guide to the World’s 10 Longest Flights
