What’s the passenger experience like on the longest flights in the world?
September 21, 2025
AGN looks at what passengers can expect on the world’s current three longest direct flights and the world’s longest non-stop flight, based on data from Cirium and aeroLOPA.
What’s the difference? Direct flights have the same flight number, but they make a stop for fuel and service, allowing them to cover longer distances overall. Nonstop flights go straight from their origin to their destination, with the longest overall distance limited by the aircraft’s capabilities.
For passengers, the longest flights, whether direct or nonstop, can be exhausting. Airlines compete by designing their cabins on these routes to ensure passengers are well rested when they land. Let’s see how they compare.
Air China flight 897 from Beijing to Sao Paulo via Madrid on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Air China currently operates the world’s longest direct flight, connecting China to South America via Europe, at 10,589 miles.
The Air China Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner that operates this route has three classes of service, comprising 30 business class seats, 34 premium economy seats and 229 economy main cabin seats.
Air China Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner business class
The business class features 21”-wide Collins Parallel Diamond seats arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration, which convert to a 6′-4″ lie-flat bed. In-flight entertainment has a 16” touchscreen display. Power is available from Universal AC and USB-A sockets. As a tip, the seats in row 11 have wider footwells.
Air China Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner premium economy class
The premium economy class features 17.1” Safran Z300 seats arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration and set 36” apart, with a 5” recline. In-flight entertainment features an 11” touchscreen display. Power is available from a shared access Universal AC socket and an individual USB-A socket.
Air China Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner economy class
Economy class has 17.1” wide Safran Z300 seats arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration set 31″ apart, with a 5” recline. The in-flight entertainment has an 11” touchscreen display. Power is available through a shared access Universal AC socket and an individual USB-A socket.
A Panasonic eX3 system provides the in-flight entertainment, and there is no in-flight WiFi connection onboard.
British Airways flight 15 from London to Sydney via Singapore on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
British Airways and Qantas are tied in second place for the world’s second-longest direct flight (10,349 miles) connecting London and Sydney via Singapore. Here’s what passengers can expect when flying on the British Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner operating this route.
The British Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner offers four classes of service comprising eight First Class suites, 42 Club World Business Class seats, 39 World Traveller Plus Premium Economy seats, and 127 World Traveller Economy seats.
British Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner First class suites
First class suites feature a vanity unit, mirror, and locker. Hand double-stitched leather covers the suite’s surroundings. A polished lacquer table finishes the look. The 22″ wide seat converts into a flat bed that is 79″ long.
When in bed mode, the seat cushions, armrests, and footstool align with the surrounding horizontal padded surfaces, providing more sleeping space. The in-flight entertainment screen is a 23″ HD touchscreen. There are two USB-A outlets and a universal 110V AC outlet delivering 125 Watts for power.
British Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Club World business class
Club World business class seats are arranged in forward-aft pairs next to the windows, and forward-aft-forward triples in the middle. Getting up can be awkward from the window and centre middle seats when other passengers are sleeping. You may have to step over sleeping companions. Last row seats avoid this. The 20″ wide seats convert to a 72″ flat bed. Each seat has a small drawer to store passengers’ personal items.
Designed for direct viewing from a variety of angles, the entertainment screen is a retractable and double-pivoting 15.4″ HD touchscreen. However, it must be stowed during takeoff and landing, limiting its playtime. A USB-A and a 125 Watt AC outlet are both available for power.
British Airways 787-9 World Traveller Plus premium economy
The World Traveller Plus cabin has 18.7″ wide Recaro PL3530 seats, arranged 2-3-2, 38″ apart, with recline 10″. There is a retractable bi-folding table, an adjustable footrest, and a 4-way adjustable headrest.
A 10.6″ HD touchscreen display provides in-flight entertainment. A USB-A connection and a universal 110V AC deliver up to 125 Watts of power.
British Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner World Traveller economy class
The World Traveller economy class seats are 17.1″ wide, arranged 3-3-3, set 31″ apart, and recline 5″. Each features a 4-way adjustable hammock-style headrest and a retractable bi-folding table.
In-flight entertainment plays on a pivoting 8.9″ HD touchscreen display. Power is available through an individual USB-A connection and a shared universal 110V AC delivering up to 125 Watts.
The aircraft has a Thales i8000 in-flight entertainment system, and most British Airways 787-9s offer Intelsat 2Ku satellite WiFi.
Qantas flight 1 from Sydney to London via Singapore on the Airbus A380
There are four classes of service on the Qantas Airbus A380 operating the London-Singapore-Sydney route, including 14 first-class suites, 70 business-class seats, 60 premium economy seats, and 341 main cabin economy seats.
First class and economy passengers travel on the main deck, while business class and premium economy are located upstairs.
Qantas A380 first class “open suites”
“Open suites,” designed by Marc Newson, are laid out in a 1-1-1 arrangement in Qantas’ first class cabins. The airline introduced new contoured cushioning, fabrics, and finishes in cooler tones in 2020. Keeping it comfortable, the 22.5″ wide chair pivots from forward-facing “take-off” to angled lounging/sleeping. It reclines into a fully-flat bed. The ottoman serves double-duty as a “budy seat.
During the cruise phase of flight, privacy screens separate the F seats from the port-side aisle. Each suite includes two secure storage cubbies, a fold-down cocktail table, and two directional air nozzles. An 18″ touchscreen HD display provides in-flight entertainment, and power is available through Universal AC and USB-A sockets.
Qantas Airbus A380 economy class
The economy class is divided into three cabins. It features 17.7” wide, David Caon-designed Recaro seats arranged in a 3-4-3 configuration. These seats are set 32” apart and offer a 6” recline.
A 12” pivoting touchscreen HD display provides in-flight entertainment. A small storage pocket beneath the IFE can hold personal items. There is one USB-A socket per seat and one universal AC socket between seats.
Qantas A380 business class
Qantas’ A380 upper deck business class is split into two cabins. It has 23″ wide Thompson Aero Vantage XL seats that convert to a fully flat bed. The seats are staggered 1-2-1, with a divider screen between the two in the middle.
Passengers can store small personal items and a water bottle in an open storage area. In-flight entertainment plays on a 15.5″ touchscreen HD display, and power is available via Universal AC and USB-A ports.
There are two lounges and a snack bar designed by David Caon at the front of the forward cabin.
Qantas A380 premium economy class
Qantas premium economy features David Caon-designed 20.5″ wide seats with seven rows in a 2-3-2 pattern, and the last three rows by the exit arranged triple-twin, twin-twin, and twin. Seats have 38” pitch (separation) with 9” recline.
They feature a bifold-tray table that stows into the armrest, and a suspended footrest. In-flight entertainment plays on a 13” pivoting touchscreen HD display and passengers will find a small secure storage pocket beneath the IFE display for personal items. Power is available through two USB-A sockets per seat with a shared universal AC socket between the seats.
Qantas flight 33 from Sydney to Paris via Perth on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Qantas operates the world’s 3rd-longest direct flight (10,316 miles) from Sydney to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, with a stop in Perth. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft serving this route has three classes of service, with 42 business class seats, 28 premium economy seats, and 166 economy class seats.
Qantas 787-9 Dreamliner business class
Business class is divided into two cabins, with a galley and lavatories between them. The airline offers 23” wide Thompson Aero Vantage XL seats, which convert to a fully flat bed, arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 pattern.
An adjustable divider screen provides privacy for the two passengers in the centre seats. Seats offer storage for small personal items and a water bottle. Passengers can enjoy In-flight entertainment on a 15.5″ touchscreen HD display, and power is available through Universal AC and USB-A sockets.
Qantas 787-9 Dreamliner premium economy class
Premium economy class features 20.5” wide David Caon-designed seats arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration. They are set 38” apart and offer 9” recline. A bi-fold tray table stows into the armrest. Passengers can rest their feet on a suspended footrest.
In-flight entertainment plays on a 13” pivoting touchscreen HD display, with a small secure storage pocket for personal items located beneath the display. Power is available through two USB-A sockets per seat with a shared universal AC socket between the seats.
Qantas 787-9 Dreamliner economy class
Economy class features 17.2” wide David Caon-designed Recaro seats arranged in a 3-3-3 pattern. They are set 32” apart and offer 6” of recline.
Passengers can watch in-flight entertainment on a 12” pivoting touchscreen HD display, and store personal items in a small storage pocket beneath the display. Power is available through an individual USB-A socket with a shared universal AC socket located between the seats.
The aircraft is equipped with a Panasonic Avionics in-flight entertainment system, but does not have WiFi.
China Eastern will soon take the top spot with the world’s new longest direct flight
China Eastern Airlines will launch the world’s new longest direct flight at 12,229 miles from Shanghai to Buenos Aires via Auckland in December. The airline will operate a Boeing 777-300ER with a three-class configuration, including six first-class suites, 52 business-class seats with lay-flat beds, and 258 main cabin economy seats arranged in a 3-4-3 configuration.
Singapore Airlines holds the record for the longest nonstop flight, Singapore-New York on the Airbus A350-900ULR
Singapore Airlines made a bold decision to offer only two classes of service on its ultra-long-range Airbus A350-900, operating the 9,487-mile nonstop service from Singapore to New York’s JFK airport.
This aircraft type has 67 business class seats and 94 premium economy class seats only, split across three cabins. In providing only premium seating, the airline not only ensures fuel burn to go the distance, but it also offers extra comfort for the passengers taking the up to 19-hour journey.
Singapore Airlines business class on the A350-900ULR
Business class features bespoke 28” wide Jamco Business seats arranged in a 1-2-1 pattern. Seats are set 60” apart and convert to a 78″ long fully-flat bed.
In-flight entertainment plays on an 18” HD touchscreen display, and there are Universal AC and USB-A sockets for power.
Singapore Airlines premium economy on the Airbus A350-900ULR
The premium economy cabin is arranged 2-4-2, except for the last four rows, which are 1-4-1 and 4. They feature 19” wide Safran recliner seats set 38” apart with an 8” recline. Seats have a calf rest and a footrest.
The single seats at the back of the aircraft offer more personal space and a dedicated low-level side locker for storage. In-flight entertainment plays on a 13.3″ touchscreen display, and power is available from a Universal AC and two USB-A sockets.
The aircraft has a Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and Panasonic eXConnect satellite WiFi.
Qantas aims for the longest nonstop flight record with Project Sunrise
In 2017, Qantas announced plans to offer more convenient flights from Sydney to Europe and New York, under the program named Project Sunrise. The airline approached Boeing and Airbus for an aircraft that could support its plans for ultra-long-haul flying, and ultimately selected the Airbus A350-1000, ordering 12 aircraft in May 2022.
Project Sunrise will set new nonstop distance records, with the New York-Sydney flight covering 10,200 miles. The airline aims to reduce point-to-point travel time by up to four hours compared with 1-stop flights. Qantas designed a unique cabin interior and in-flight service informed by the medical and scientific research carried out on its Project Sunrise research flights.
- Seating for 238 passengers in all
- 6 First suites in a 1-1-1 configuration
- 52 Business suites in a 1-2-1 configuration
- 40 Premium economy seats in a 2-4-2 configuration
- 140 Economy seats in a 3-3-3 configuration
- All passengers can access an onboard Wellbeing Zone, a dedicated space for movement and premium refreshments, designed to optimise wellbeing throughout the flight.
- Passengers in all cabins can enjoy access to complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi.
Qantas expects its first Airbus A350-1000 for Project Sunrise by late 2026. The ultra-long-haul flights for Project Sunrise have a planned launch date in early 2027, with some allowance for aircraft certification and crew training after delivery.
Long-haul competition endures
Airlines are constantly looking for new ways to differentiate their cabin products, particularly on long-haul and ultra-long-haul flights. They entice passengers with more comfort, improved dining, and a rich selection of in-flight entertainment.
In future, the longest flights will be even better as new aircraft technologies enable new cabin architectures. It’s a development well worth waiting for.
