In November 2024, Qantas completed the world’s longest commercial flight—19 hours and 16 minutes from London to Perth nonstop. Singapore Airlines’ Newark to Singapore route stretches over 18 hours. These ultra-long-haul (ULH) flights represent aviation’s new frontier, but are they the future or an expensive experiment?
Defining Ultra-Long-Haul
The industry generally defines ultra-long-haul as flights exceeding 16 hours or 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 km). Currently, only a handful of routes qualify:
| Route | Airline | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore-Newark | Singapore Airlines | 8,285 nm | ~18h 30m |
| Perth-London | Qantas | 7,829 nm | ~17h 20m |
| Auckland-Dubai | Emirates | 7,540 nm | ~17h 10m |
| Perth-Paris | Qantas | 7,890 nm | ~17h 45m |
| Houston-Sydney | United | 7,495 nm | ~17h 35m |
The Business Case
Ultra-long-haul flights command premium fares. Business travelers pay significantly for:
- Time savings (no connection delays or layover hotels)
- Productivity (arrive ready for meetings)
- Prestige (nonstop service signals importance)
Revenue example: Singapore Airlines’ all-business-class A350ULR on Singapore-Newark generates approximately $30,000 in revenue per square meter of cabin space—among the highest in the industry.
The Challenges
Fuel Economics
ULH flights burn disproportionate fuel. An aircraft uses 30-40% of its fuel just to carry the remaining fuel weight. A 16-hour flight isn’t twice as expensive as an 8-hour flight—it’s closer to 2.5x.
Crew Costs
Crew regulations require augmented staffing for long flights. ULH routes often carry 4+ pilots and require recovery time, increasing operational costs.
Aircraft Utilization
A 19-hour flight means an aircraft can make only one round-trip per day. Compare this to a 3-hour shuttle making 5+ segments daily—the utilization math favors shorter routes.
Payload Restrictions
To carry enough fuel, ULH flights often can’t fill every seat. Singapore Airlines’ Singapore-Newark flight has just 67 business class seats—fewer than half a typical A350 configuration.
The Health Question
Passenger and crew health on ULH flights raises concerns:
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Extended immobility increases blood clot risks
- Jet lag: Crossing 10+ time zones disrupts circadian rhythms for days
- Cabin air quality: Longer exposure to reduced oxygen levels
Airlines have responded with:
- Enhanced cabin pressurization (lower cabin altitude)
- Special lighting sequences to reduce jet lag
- Stretch zones and hydration programs
- Crew rest compartments for rotation
Project Sunrise: Qantas’ Bold Bet
In 2022, Qantas announced “Project Sunrise”—direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to London and New York. The 20+ hour flights required new aircraft specifically designed for the mission.
Qantas selected the Airbus A350-1000 with an ultra-long-range configuration featuring:
- First, business, premium economy, and economy cabins
- Wellness zones for passenger movement
- Enhanced crew rest areas
- Special lighting and catering programs
The first Sunrise flights launched in late 2025, representing the most ambitious ULH network ever attempted.
Who Benefits?
ULH routes work best when connecting:
- Wealthy financial centers: Singapore-London, Hong Kong-New York
- Remote but wealthy cities: Perth to Europe, Auckland to everywhere
- VFR (Visiting Friends & Relatives) markets: Indian diaspora connections
They struggle when:
- Competing one-stop options are faster via efficient hubs
- The route relies primarily on leisure travelers
- Economic conditions reduce premium demand
The Environmental Factor
ULH flights face growing scrutiny over emissions:
- A 19-hour flight generates approximately 2-3x the per-passenger emissions of a one-stop alternative
- Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can reduce this, but supply remains limited
- Some jurisdictions are considering emissions-based taxes that would penalize long flights
The Verdict: Niche, Not Norm
Ultra-long-haul flights will never replace hub-and-spoke networks. They’re too expensive, too capacity-limited, and serve too narrow a market. But for specific premium routes connecting wealthy cities, they make economic sense.
Expect to see:
- More ULH routes from secondary cities to major hubs (Perth, Manchester, secondary European cities)
- Premium-heavy configurations rather than mass-market seating
- Continued innovation in aircraft efficiency making marginal routes viable
The future isn’t 20-hour flights everywhere—it’s 20-hour flights where wealthy travelers will pay $10,000+ to save 4 hours.
What This Means for Travelers
If you’re considering an ultra-long-haul flight:
- Book premium cabins if possible—19 hours in economy is brutal
- Stay hydrated and move regularly
- Arrive 2-3 days before important meetings to adjust
- Consider whether the time saving is worth the premium fare
For aviation enthusiasts, ULH routes represent engineering at its limits—and a fascinating experiment in how far commercial aviation can push the boundaries of endurance.