Xiamen Air Takes Flight Crown with 19-Hour Nonstop Journey

Passengers can now experience the longest nonstop flight in the world, operated by the Chinese airline Xiamen Air. The service, which connects New York JFK to Fuzhou, boasts a remarkable block time of 19 hours 20 minutes. This marks a significant shift in the aviation industry, as Singapore Airlines previously held the title with its long-haul routes.

While this specific route is not entirely new—having previously operated between 2017 and 2020—it is the first time such a lengthy block time has been recorded for this journey. The flight covers a distance of 6,752 nautical miles (approximately 12,505 kilometers) each way. The extended duration is primarily due to the decision to avoid Russian airspace, which significantly impacts the overall flying time.

Overview of Longest Nonstop Flights

As of November and December 2024, the competition for the longest nonstop passenger flights includes several notable routes. The following are the top five longest flights, all measured from chocks-off to chocks-on:

– 19h 20m: JFK to Fuzhou, Xiamen Air (Two weekly flights)
– 19h 10m: Newark to Singapore, Singapore Airlines (Daily flights)
– 18h 55m: JFK to Singapore, Singapore Airlines (Daily flights)
– 18h 20m: JFK to Manila, Philippine Airlines (Three weekly flights)
– 18h 10m: JFK to Auckland, Air New Zealand (Three weekly flights)

While these flights represent some of the longest nonstop services available, it is important for travelers to note that not all long-haul routes will have similar durations. For instance, Qantas operates various lengthy nonstop flights, including connections from Dallas to Melbourne and from Perth to London, each averaging around 17h 40m.

Unique Characteristics of Xiamen Air’s Route

The distinctiveness of the Xiamen Air route lies in its circumvention of Russian airspace. Unlike competitors such as Air China and China Eastern, which take shorter paths through Russia, Xiamen Air’s decision results in a longer flight duration. For example, Cathay Pacific operates flights from JFK to Hong Kong in under 17 hours, demonstrating the difference in travel times across various airlines and routes.

The demand for flights between New York City and Fuzhou is substantial, driven primarily by the large Chinese immigrant community in the area. Notably, the market saw approximately 160,000 round-trip passengers in the 12 months leading up to July 2025. This figure significantly surpasses those for other Chinese cities, including Guangzhou and Beijing, highlighting the strong connection between these locations.

In a related development, China Eastern is set to launch a new one-stop service from Shanghai Pudong to Buenos Aires via Auckland starting on December 4, 2024. This service aims to coincide with the holiday season in the Southern Hemisphere and will feature three weekly flights on the Boeing 777-300ER. Passengers should prepare for a lengthy travel time of up to 29 hours on this route, with departures scheduled at an early 02:00 from Buenos Aires.

As the aviation industry continues to adapt and expand, the introduction of these long-haul services signifies an increasing trend toward connecting distant markets while meeting the demands of international travelers. The evolving landscape of airline operations underscores the importance of geographic considerations and passenger needs in shaping air travel experiences.