As of September 2018, what is the world's longest flight by ground distance?

The "world's longest flight" has disputed status due to the generality of such a claim. While the distance between two cities is constant, aircraft do not follow a straight path but will adjust the flight path based on headwinds/tailwinds, other weather events, and to avoid flying over certain countries due to politics or war.

By ground distance travelled:

Routings may avoid the shorter ground distance of a great circle route to use tailwinds to save time and fuel, shortening the equivalent still-air distance. The longest flight, by ground distance, is Air India's flight from Delhi to San Francisco, which will sometimes travel up to 15,300 km (8,261 nmi; 9,507 mi) across the Pacific Ocean rather than the 12,395 km (6,693 nmi; 7,702 mi) great circle route, yet saving as much as 2.5 hours travel time due to tailwinds.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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16 Comments

Mary Adcock

Typically, the longest flights measured by ground distance traveled are Singapore to JFK in New York according to wiki... not a good question.

Stephen Greufe

Not very clear in what you're asking.

Stevie G

Mary Adcock, The flight you mention had its first flight on 11 Oct 2018. Believe it or not October 2018 comes after September 2018.

Stevie G

Lane Mark S, You may be correct but that flight was after September 2018.

Stevie G

Chandran David, Read the question and the date given and you will see that the answer is correct.

Stevie G

Deborah Ingram, The flight you mention had its first flight on 11 Oct 2018. Believe it or not October 2018 comes after September 2018.

Chandran David

I believe you have given a wrong answer !

John Dommerman

There has been "around-the-world" FLIGHTS also....so you must define "flight"

Deborah Ingram

#1 (out of 10), as of September 2018, was Singapore to New York – EWR (Newark, NJ) (Singapore): 9,540 miles Your article noted it was 7,702 miles from Delhi, India to San Francisco, USA as you noted is about 1,800 miles less. I live outside of Sydney, Australia and, yes I fly economy class, or cattle class as we call it to New York / New Jersey [9928.89 miles | 22 hours / more impressive in kilometres 15,979 km] or Atlanta [9,286 miles /14944 km] several times a year. I would love to shave 2,200 miles (about 5 hours) off my travel back home! I don't believe you gave us the correct answer. Researching your answer did not come in to the top 10 as far as longest distance in miles or flight time...