Top 10 Longest Nonstop Flights in the World: Xiamen Air Takes the Lead

October 15, 2025 | 08:30 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The world’s longest nonstop flight record has changed hands. Xiamen Air, a Chinese airline, has surpassed Singapore Airlines by operating a nonstop flight from New York’s JFK Airport to Fuzhou, China, lasting 19 hours and 20 minutes

 This edges out the previous record held by Singapore Airlines’ JFK to Singapore Changi route, which clocks in at 19 hours and 10 minutes.

The route, officially recognized in October 2025, covers 7,077.7 miles (12,505 km) in a single leg. Although Xiamen Air previously operated the JFK–Fuzhou service between 2017 and 2020, it resumed flights in 2024.

Today, the route has become one of the busiest connections between China and the United States, carrying approximately 160,000 passengers annually, thanks to strong cultural and family ties.

Why It Takes Nearly 20 Hours

The unusually long duration of this flight is partly due to geopolitical restrictions. Xiamen Air avoids Russian airspace, requiring a longer route across the Pacific.

The U.S. government, under former President Donald Trump, implemented a ban on Chinese airlines flying over Russian airspace for routes to and from the U.S., which directly affects flight time.

Not all airlines are affected: for instance, Cathay Pacific sometimes flies across Russia, allowing its JFK–Hong Kong route to take just 16 hours and 25 minutes.

The Rise of Ultra-Long-Haul Flights

Advances in aircraft technology now allow airlines to operate ultra-long-haul flights more efficiently, carrying more fuel and offering passengers the convenience of avoiding layovers. These nonstop flights not only reduce travel stress but also help passengers bypass the risk of missed connections.

Other notable ultra-long-haul routes include connections between the U.S. and Australia, Europe and Asia, and other remote city pairs.

Top 10 Longest Nonstop Flights in the World (as of 2025)

1. New York (JFK) → Fuzhou (FCO) – 19h 20m

2. Newark (EWR) → Singapore (SIN) – 19h 10m

3. New York (JFK) → Singapore (SIN) – 18h 55m

4. New York (JFK) → Auckland (AKL) – 17h 45m

5. London (LHR) → Perth (PER) – 17h 45m

6. Auckland (AKL) → Doha (DOH) – 17h 20m

7. Dallas (DFW) → Melbourne (MEL) – 17h 35m

8. Paris (CDG) → Perth (PER) – 17h 20m

9. Dubai (DXB) → Auckland (AKL) – 17h 15m

10. Johannesburg (JNB) → Atlanta (ATL) – 17h

With the record now broken, Xiamen Air’s flight demonstrates the growing capability and ambition of airlines to connect distant corners of the globe nonstop, combining technology, efficiency, and passenger convenience in the era of ultra-long-haul travel.

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