Australia and New Zealand have become major players in the aviation industry despite their geographic isolation. Qantas and Air New Zealand are known for their extensive domestic and international connectivity, with Qantas being one of the few airlines with nonstop flights to all six inhabited continents. Many passengers must take long flights to and from various destinations in both countries.

Australia and New Zealand are high on many travelers' bucket lists due to their natural and urban attractions. Australia's top destinations include the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, Melbourne, and the Great Ocean Road. Meanwhile, Queenstown and natural landscapes like mountains are the main tourist attractions in New Zealand. 

Multiple airlines offer long-haul flights to the region to accommodate high demand among international travelers. Some routes are ultra-long-haul, which describes any flight that is over 16 hours in duration. Eight of the world's 20 longest nonstop routes by distance involve four destinations: Auckland (AKL), Melbourne (MEL), Perth (PER), and Sydney (SYD). These are the five longest flights serving destinations in Australia and New Zealand.

Auckland-Doha: Qatar Airways

The longest flight serving New Zealand is a Qatar Airways route between the airline's hub at Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha and Auckland Airport (AKL). The route, which uses flight numbers QR 920 and QR 921, covers 9,032 miles (14,535 kilometers). Qatar Airways' daily service between Doha and Auckland is the world's third-longest nonstop flight after Singapore Airlines' routes connecting Singapore (SIN) to Newark (EWR) and New York (JFK).

Qatar Airways initially offered this route from February 2017 to April 2020 using Boeing 777-200LR aircraft. The carrier had the world's longest route until Singapore Airlines launched its Newark service in October 2018. Although the service was initially suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Qatar Airways relaunched flights to Auckland in September 2023. Passengers traveling between Doha and Auckland on the carrier previously had to connect through Adelaide (ADL).

Qatar Airways flight QR 920 is generally 16 hours and 15 minutes long, departing Doha at 1:40 a.m. and arriving in Auckland at 3:55 a.m. the next day. QR 921 lasts approximately 17 hours and 25 minutes, leaving Auckland at 4:55 p.m. and landing in Doha at 12:20 a.m. the next day. All flights use Airbus A350-1000 aircraft that can accommodate 46 passengers in Qsuite (business class) and 281 in economy class.

Qatar Airways former CEO Akbar Al Baker noted that the route benefits European travelers who must connect through an Asian or Middle Eastern airport when visiting New Zealand. He said the following when the service's reinstatement was originally announced in May 2023:

"The direct Doha to Auckland service augments a number of new routes announced in recent weeks and enables passengers in key European markets including the UK and Ireland to save time with this direct connection. Business Class passengers on board our Auckland flights can also enjoy the enhanced privacy of Qsuite, which has been awarded the Best Business Class Seat in the World."

Perth - London Heathrow: Qantas

The longest flight serving Australia is a Qantas route between Perth Airport (PER) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR). The route is one of only three connecting Australia and Europe, alongside Qantas' seasonal service to Rome-Fiumicino (FCO) and the upcoming relaunch of flights to Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Qantas offers this 9,009 mile (14,499 kilometer) route daily using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

Qantas flight QF 9 is 17 hours and 45 minutes long, departing Perth around 7:20 p.m. and arriving in London at 5:05 a.m. the next day. The return flight, QF 10, leaves London around 11:50 a.m. and lands in Perth at approximately 12:25 p.m. the next day. The aircraft used on this route can handle 42 passengers in business class, 28 in premium economy, and 166 in economy class. Although both flights also serve Melbourne (MEL) after stopping in Perth, Qantas plans to end this leg in July.

Qantas' Perth-London service is part of the famous Kangaroo Route between Australia and London, originally launched in December 1947. The name comes from the "hops" made through multiple stops in destinations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Flying on the Kangaroo Route was expensive and time-consuming, with fares for the first flight being around $44,000 in today's currency. The Kangaroo Route later became a one-stop service between Perth and London in 1974.

Qantas turned its Perth-London route into a nonstop service in March 2018 after adding the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to its fleet. The service was initially offered until the COVID-19 pandemic before being reinstated in May 2022. Qantas' former CEO Alan Joyce said about the route in 2018:

"This is a truly historic flight that opens up a new era of travel. For the first time, Australia and Europe have a direct air link. The original Kangaroo Route from Australia to London was named for the seven stops it made over four days back in 1947. Now we can do it in a single leap."

Dallas/Fort Worth - Melbourne: Qantas

Qantas operates the third longest flight to the South Pacific through its service connecting Melbourne Airport (MEL) and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). This service covers 8,992 miles (14,472 kilometers) using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and operates three times weekly. Qantas also serves DFW from Sydney Airport (SYD) with daily flights on the same aircraft.

Qantas flight QF 21 lasts approximately 15 hours and 45 minutes, departing Melbourne at 2:00 p.m. and landing in Dallas/Fort Worth at 1:45 p.m. the next day. QF 22 leaves Dallas/Fort Worth at 7:55 p.m. and returns to Melbourne 17 hours and 50 minutes later at 5:45 a.m. the next day. Qantas chose Dallas/Fort Worth as its second U.S. destination from Melbourne because its central location allows for easier connections across North America.

Qantas Domestic and International CEO Andrew David said the following when the route launched in December 2022:

"Travellers [can] take advantage of the excellent connections to popular destinations like Orlando, Miami, and Boston. As one of the biggest hubs in the United States, Dallas/Fort Worth is located less than a four-hour flight from every major city, connecting travellers to over 200 destinations across North America with our airline partners."

American Airlines also offers seasonal nonstop flights from Dallas/Fort Worth to Auckland (AKL) and will launch a seasonal service to Brisbane in October. The two other routes between Texas and the South Pacific operate from Houston-Intercontinental (IAH). Air New Zealand and United Airlines have nonstop flights connecting Houston to Auckland and Sydney, respectively.

New York JFK - Auckland: Air New Zealand and Qantas

Air New Zealand and Qantas offer the region's fourth longest flight by flying between Auckland Airport (AKL) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The two services are the only nonstop connections between the eastern U.S. and the South Pacific. Both routes cover 8,828 miles (14,207 kilometers) using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Qantas' route from JFK also serves Sydney (SYD) through a one-stop connection in Auckland.

Air New Zealand flight NZ 1 generally leaves New York-JFK around 8:20 p.m. and lands in Auckland at 7:20 a.m. the next day. NZ 2 departs Auckland at approximately 7:05 p.m. and arrives at New York-JFK at 6:00 p.m. the next day. NZ 1 lasts 18 hours, while NZ 2 is airborne for 15 hours and 55 minutes. The carrier's Auckland-New York service is offered three times weekly.

Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran said about the route when it launched in September 2022:

"New York is an iconic yet familiar city, a bucket list item. And now for the first time, Kiwis can visit the city of all cities with a non-stop flight. New Zealand lets you slow down - in New York, everything is bigger and faster, it's exciting and awe inspiring - and it's now closer than ever."

"Traditionally, flight numbers 1 and 2 are used for an airline's flagship route. And that's what New York will be - our flagship route."

Qantas flight QF 3 is 16 hours and 15 minutes, departing from Auckland at approximately 4:45 p.m. and landing at New York-JFK at 4:00 p.m. the next day. QF 4 flies for 17 hours and 25 minutes, leaving New York-JFK around 6:30 p.m. and arriving in Auckland at 4:55 a.m. the next day. This route flies four times weekly, with the Auckland-Sydney leg also using the same aircraft and flight numbers. 

Qantas originally operated its one-stop Sydney-New York service through Los Angeles (LAX) before the COVID-19 pandemic. The stop later switched to Auckland when the route re-launched in June 2023. Aside from being major tourist destinations, Sydney and New York are their countries' respective financial centers. Therefore, Qantas sees enough demand for this service even if both cities are too far for a nonstop flight.

Qantas' former CEO Alan Joyce said about the demand for its Sydney-New York service in May 2023:

"Since international borders re-opened, New York as been one of the most popular destinations for our customers who have been connecting on our partners from Qantas flights arriving into Los Angeles and Dallas, so it's not surprising that we've seen very strong demand since our New York flights went on sale."

Qantas plans to convert this route into a nonstop service through its Project Sunrise program. The flights will connect Sydney to New York-JFK and London-Heathrow with Airbus A350-1000 aircraft in late 2025. Project Sunrise is currently in the testing phase to reduce the impacts of such a long flight on passenger well-being. One initiative includes a redesigned aircraft cabin with new first and business class seats. Qantas will reduce the passenger capacity on its A350s, allowing fewer customers to have more space.

Auckland - Dubai: Emirates

Finally, the fifth-longest nonstop route serving the South Pacific is an Emirates route between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Auckland Airport (AKL). This route is 8,823 miles (14,200 kilometers) and uses an Airbus A380. Emirates originally used a Boeing 777-200LR for its Dubai-Auckland service between March and October 2016. The carrier "upgraded" this route to an A380 that was used until the service paused in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The route returned to service in December 2022.

Emirates flight EK 448 is 16 hours, leaving Dubai around 10:05 a.m. and arriving in Auckland at 11:05 a.m. the next day. EK 449 lasts 17 hours and 10 minutes, departing Auckland around 9:05 p.m. and returning to Dubai at 5:15 a.m. the next day. Emirates flies passengers between Dubai and Auckland once daily.

Emirates has served New Zealand for over two decades. The carrier launched flights connecting Dubai and Auckland in August 2003 and introduced a service to Christchurch (CHC) in July 2004. The Dubai-Auckland route connected through Brisbane before a nonstop service launched in March 2016, with the inaugural two flights going through Sydney and Melbourne. Despite the city's small size, Emirates also uses the A380 on its Dubai-Sydney-Christchurch route.

Emirates Divisional Vice President for Australasia said about the airline's commitment to flying long distances to New Zealand:

"During the last 20 years, New Zealand has continued to be an important market for Emirates, and this is clear today as the country sits firmly at the forefront of our latest onboard product. By offering Premium Economy seats on all our A380 services to New Zealand, we're able to offer travellers our best product yet, providing greater choice and flexibility."

Honorable Mentions

Nine of the world's 30 longest flights by distance serve Australia or New Zealand. Although the entire South Pacific is geographically isolated from other continents, the ultra-long-haul flights operate to only four destinations: Auckland, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. Other flights covering large distances are the following:

• United Airlines between Houston-Intercontinental (IAH) and Sydney (SYD): 8,596 miles (13,834 kilometers)
• Qantas between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Sydney: 8,577 miles (13,804 kilometers)
• Qantas between Perth (PER) and Rome-Fiumicino (FCO): 8,298 miles (13,354 kilometers) 
• Air New Zealand between Auckland (AKL) and Chicago-O'Hare (ORD): 8,183 miles (13,170 kilometers)

It should be noted that Air New Zealand will pause its Auckland-Chicago service from March 31 to October 25. The above routes all use Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. 

Routes serving Australia and New Zealand will remain among the world's longest flights. Airlines are continuously adding new routes as aircraft become advanced enough to operate ultra-long-haul flights. Qantas will introduce an 8,863 mile (14,264 kilometer) nonstop service between Perth and Paris-Charles de Gaulle on July 12. Meanwhile, American Airlines will launch an 8,303-mile (13,363-kilometer) route connecting Dallas/Fort Worth and Brisbane on October 27. The Qantas and American Airlines routes will be the world's sixth and 20th longest flights once they launch, respectively. Both routes will use a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Qantas' envisioned routes connecting Sydney to London-Heathrow and New York-JFK will become the world's longest nonstop flights once operational. The Airbus A350-1000 has a maximum range of 10,004 miles (16,100 kilometers), making it doable to complete both routes. This list will change dramatically if Qantas successfully executes its ambitious plan for nonstop flights connecting Sydney to Europe and eastern North America.