Breaking Records: This is now the longest flight in the world — here’s how to survive it

A Sky-High Milestone in Air Travel

As of October 2025, there’s a new champion in the world of long-haul aviation. Xiamen Air has claimed the title for the world’s longest nonstop flight with its route from New York’s JFK to Fuzhou Changle International Airport (FOC) in southern China, clocking in at a staggering 19 hours and 20 minutes.

This marathon journey has dethroned the previous record-holder, Singapore Airlines’ route between JFK and Singapore Changi Airport. While the Xiamen Air route itself isn’t new—having operated between 2017 and 2020 before returning in 2024—the current flight duration marks an unprecedented milestone in commercial aviation.

Why So Long? The Russian Airspace Factor

The extraordinary duration isn’t merely a matter of distance. Xiamen Air’s policy of avoiding Russian airspace necessitates a significant detour, adding considerable time to the journey. By contrast, airlines that traverse Russian skies can significantly reduce their flight times—Cathay Pacific’s JFK to Hong Kong route, for example, takes up to 16 hours and 25 minutes when flying over Russia.

This distinction highlights how geopolitical considerations directly impact aviation routes and travel times, creating a new category of ultra-long-haul flights that push the boundaries of both aircraft capabilities and passenger endurance.

The Era of Ultra-Long-Haul Travel

The rise of these marathon flights reflects advancements in aviation technology, with newer aircraft models capable of carrying more fuel for extended journeys. For many travelers, the appeal lies in convenience—eliminating the stress of connecting flights and reducing overall travel time despite the longer continuous flight duration.

These non-stop routes offer peace of mind by removing the anxiety of potentially missed connections, a significant consideration for business travelers and those with tight schedules.

The World’s Longest Flights Ranked

According to travel magazine Afar, these are the current top 10 longest flights globally:

1. New York (JFK) to Fuzhou (FOC) – 19 hours, 20 minutes
2. Newark (EWR) to Singapore (SIN) – 19 hours, 10 minutes
3. New York (JFK) to Singapore (SIN) – 18 hours, 55 minutes
4. New York (JFK) to Auckland (AKL) – 17 hours, 45 minutes
5. London (LHR) to Perth (PER) – 17 hours, 45 minutes
6. Auckland (AKL) to Doha (DOH) – 17 hours, 20 minutes
7. Dallas (DFW) to Melbourne (MEL) – 17 hours, 35 minutes
8. Paris (CDG) to Perth (PER) – 17 hours, 20 minutes
9. Dubai (DBX) to Auckland (AKL) – 17 hours, 15 minutes
10. Johannesburg (JBO) to Atlanta (ATL) – 17 hours

Surviving the Marathon: Expert Tips for Long-Haul Flying

Enduring nearly 20 hours in the air requires strategy and preparation. Here’s how to make these ultra-long flights more bearable:

Before You Fly

Start preparing the day before your flight. Qantas Airlines’ Travel Insider recommends engaging in moderate exercise like gym workouts, walking, or stretching to prepare your body. However, don’t sacrifice sleep in an attempt to be tired on the plane—this strategy often backfires, leaving you even more uncomfortable during the flight.

What to Wear and Pack

Comfort is paramount on long flights:

• Choose loose-fitting clothing that won’t restrict movement
• Dress in layers to adapt to changing cabin temperatures
• Bring a versatile scarf that can serve as an eye mask, blanket, or additional pillow
• Pack essential comfort items: travel neck pillow, lightweight blanket, eye mask, earplugs, and noise-canceling headphones

Tech and Entertainment

Boredom can make a long flight feel even longer:

• Ensure all devices are fully charged before boarding
• Bring portable charging solutions for extended use
• Have backup entertainment options like books or downloaded content
• Pack some personal snacks, regardless of onboard meal service

With proper preparation and the right mindset, even the world’s longest flight can become a manageable—perhaps even enjoyable—part of your journey rather than an ordeal to be endured.

The Longest Flight in History: 64 Days Without Landing

The record for the longest flight without landing belongs to Robert Timm and John Cook, who flew a Cessna 172 for an astonishing 64 days, 22 hours, and 19 minutes from December 4, 1958, to February 7, 1959. Their incredible journey covered approximately 150,000 miles (240,000 kilometers) – equivalent to circling the Earth six times.

The Mission

This remarkable feat wasn’t just for aviation glory – it was actually a publicity stunt for the Hacienda Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The hotel’s name was painted on the aircraft, and Timm, a former World War War II bomber pilot who worked at the hotel as a slot machine mechanic, took on the challenge.

How They Did It

The Cessna 172 underwent significant modifications, including:

• Installation of a 95-gallon belly fuel tank
• A rudimentary autopilot system
• A mattress for resting
• A platform that allowed access outside the door for refueling

The ingenious refueling method involved:

1. Flying about 20 feet above a straight stretch of closed highway
2. Using an electric winch to lower a hook to snag a refueling hose
3. Standing on the platform to insert the hose into the belly tank
4. Completing the refueling in about three minutes

They refueled 128 times throughout their journey.

Challenges Faced

The pilots endured numerous hardships:

• Limited bathing (a quart of water every other day)
• Eating meals that had to be chopped up and stuffed into thermos jugs
• Generator failure 39 days in, leaving them without lights, heat, or a fuel pump
• Difficult sleeping conditions due to engine noise and vibration
• Timm once fell asleep while flying for over an hour
• By February, carbon buildup in the engine made climbing difficult after refueling

The Legacy

This record has remained unbroken for 65 years. In 2022, a solar-powered drone called Zephyr came tantalizingly close, flying for 64 days, 18 hours, and 26 minutes before crashing – missing the record by less than 4 hours.

Today, the famous Cessna 172 hangs above the baggage carousel at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport, a testament to one of aviation’s most extraordinary endurance feats.