American Airlines, Delta, and United: A Battle of Longest Flights

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines are the dominant players in the U.S. airline industry, often referred to as the Big Three. According to data from Cirium Diio, these airlines will collectively offer 278 daily international long-haul departures in November and December 2024. This marks an increase from 258 flights during the same months in 2023. United Airlines leads the pack with 45% of the services, followed by Delta at 31% and American at 24%.

The rise in services reflects a growing demand, with all three carriers showing slight increases compared to last year. Notably, United has ramped up its offerings by 13% year-over-year, potentially leading to an oversupply of seats during November, which is typically a slow month for travel to Northern Hemisphere destinations.

Longest Nonstop Flights in November and December

The longest nonstop flights offered by these airlines in November and December are noteworthy. The criteria for inclusion in this ranking is a maximum block time of at least 16 hours and 15 minutes. Block time encompasses the entire duration from departure to arrival, accounting for taxi time and short delays. Notably, United Airlines has a strong presence in this area.

– **17h 40m**: San Francisco to Singapore – United Airlines operates two daily flights on the 787-9.
– **17h 35m**: Houston Intercontinental to Sydney – United Airlines provides daily service on the 787-9.
– **17h 10m**: Delhi back to Newark – United Airlines operates this daily route on the 787-9.
– **17h 00m**: Johannesburg back to Atlanta – Delta Airlines flies this route five times a week on the A350-900.
– **16h 50m**: Dallas/Fort Worth to Brisbane – American Airlines offers six weekly to daily flights on the 787-9.
– **16h 45m**: Delhi back to New York JFK – American Airlines operates this route daily on the 787-9.
– **16h 30m**: Cape Town back to Atlanta – Delta Airlines services this route on the A350-900.
– **16h 20m**: Dallas/Fort Worth to Shanghai Pudong – American Airlines operates daily flights on the 787-9.
– **16h 20m**: Johannesburg back to Newark – United Airlines operates this route six times a week on the 787-9.
– **16h 15m**: Detroit to Shanghai Pudong – Delta Airlines offers daily service on the A350-900.

This data reveals that both United and Delta offer longer nonstop flights compared to American Airlines, which has a shorter maximum block time for its longest service. Notably, American’s longest nonstop flight is the 16h 50m route from Dallas to Brisbane, which is significant but still shorter than United’s offerings.

Emerging Routes and Market Dynamics

American Airlines launched its Brisbane route in October 2024, filling 73% of available seats through May 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. This new service, while promising, is still in its early stages and relies on financial incentives to attract passengers. As a result, American is increasing its operations in November and December compared to the previous year, aiming to enhance its performance in this ultra-long-haul market.

Meanwhile, other airlines are also entering the fray with new routes to Australia. Notably, Delta will begin service from Los Angeles to Melbourne on December 3, 2024, using the A350-900 and operating three times a week. This move expands Delta’s presence in the Australian market, now offering services to three cities: Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne.

On December 11, 2024, United Airlines will commence its first-ever service from the U.S. to Adelaide, South Australia, with three weekly flights from San Francisco using the 787-9. This route is backed by significant financial incentives, highlighting the competitive landscape among U.S. carriers as they seek to expand their international reach.

As the air travel sector continues to evolve, the competition among American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines will likely intensify, particularly in the long-haul market. Each airline is striving to capture a larger share of international travel, making strategic decisions about routes and capacity that will shape the future of air travel.