Qantas announced that they will fly non-stop Dallas Fort Worth – Melbourne starting December 2. The service will be four times weekly using a Boeing 787-9.
World’s Fourth Longest Flight
At 8,992 miles this will be the world’s fourth longest flight. It’s even longer than the New York – Auckland flight that Air New Zealand announced earlier in the week, and longer than Qantas’ non-stop flight to London. However when Qantas moves its London flight back to Perth from Darwin (a temporary move because of insane pandemic restrictions imposed by the state of Western Australia) this becomes the fifth longest flight since Perth – London Heathrow is 9,009 miles.
- New York JFK – Singapore: 9,537 miles (Singapore Airlines)
- Newark – Singapore: 9,534 miles (Singapore Airlines)
- Doha – Auckland: 9,032 miles (Qatar Airways)
- Dallas Fort Worth – Melbourn: 8,992 miles (Qantas, launching December)
- New York JFK – Auckland: 8,828 miles (Air New Zealand, launching September)
- Dubai – Auckland: 8,823 miles (Emirates)
- Los Angeles – Singapore: 8.770 miles (Singapore Airlines)
- San Francisco – Bangalore: 8,702 miles (Air India, United Airlines launching October)
- Darwin – London Heathrow: 8,620 miles (Qantas)
- Houston – Sydney: 8,596 miles (United Airlines)
A view of the Yarra River, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
DFW Airport Gave It Away Earlier In The Day
It’s odd to tease a major new route announcement on a Saturday morning, and then announce it Saturday evening (Sunday in Australia). But it seemed pretty clear what was going on just as soon as DFW airport tweeted out video of Degraves Street in Melbourne (known for cafes).
We’re getting a little bored of the same old, same old! Trying coffee somewhere brand new this morning. Any guesses where we are? Check back this evening for the answer! 👀 pic.twitter.com/GxwhvaXhf1
— DFW Airport (@DFWAirport) March 26, 2022
Once American Airlines gets its delayed Boeing 787s delivered, expect to see more seasonal Australia/New Zealand as well (Europe in the summer, South Pacific in the winter) as part of the American Airlines-Qantas joint venture.
@ Gary — Nice! Now show me the award space…
Wouldn’t jfk-sin be slightly longer than ewr-sin?
Not that you care what I write, Gary, but why editorialize the pandemic restrictions in Western Australia as “insane?” While I don’t live there, my understanding is the restrictions are pretty popular, and implemented in good faith by democratically elected officials. Do you know better?
Gary:
Are there any long flights on the Airbus 380? There have to be some of them flying. Or do I just fly on Emirates and quit spending time on the web? Long flights are a drag. But on a 747-400 back in the day or an Airbus 380 they could be enjoyable. Smaller planes; not so much.
Any advice wisdom or counsel about which airlines & planes are the most comfortable in 2022 or 2023 for long haul?? SE Asia & South Africa are on the calendar. OZ too. It appears that Emirates is the way to go. but what are my comfortable options? LAX to SYD & SE Asia (SIN) still seems to be the cheapest option, or am I mistaken?
And what are my options from ORD to Europe? Anyone flying in the morning? Or is it overnight and that’s all?
We’re gonna Need some economy information for these long hauls in addition to the aspirational front of the plane articles. I only fly in the cheap seats, so all info is welcome. Would love to go to Australia next year.
Is an economy seat on these flights bearable? Torture?
@JorgeGeorge Paez – I find the Qantas economy seat on the A380 quite tolerable, nicely padded with decent pitch. I haven’t sat in the 787-9 economy seat.
Blood thinner should be offered to econ passengers on these ultra-long hauls!
Cool. Thanks Gary!
I’ve read where foreign airlines usually have a nicer coach experience…..