As the demand for international airline travel continues to increase, airlines are looking for ways to fly more passengers to more places in less time. Emirates recently announced they would begin operating non-stop flights between Dubai and Panama City on 1 February 2016. The flight will cover a distance of almost 14,000km and passengers will be in the air for an astonishing 17 hours and 35 minutes – making it the longest non-stop commercial flight in the world.
How does this new milestone in aviation compare with other non-stop international flights?
While Emirates may soon be the new leader in distance traveled during a non-stop commercial flight, it does not hold the all-time record. That honor belongs to Singapore Airlines Flight 21 between Singapore and Newark, New Jersey, which covered a distance of 15,329km on a flight that took almost 19 hours. The flight had its final voyage on 23 November 23 2013 – a disappointing development for travelers who enjoyed a trip that took them over the Arctic Circle.