The Airbus A350 is among the world’s most advanced long-haul aircraft, renowned for its outstanding fuel efficiency, range, and comfort. Airlines worldwide operate the A350 on their longest routes, many of which cross continents and oceans nonstop. Unsurprisingly, the world’s longest flight between New York and Singapore is also the world’s longest A350 flight.
Offered in two variants, the A350-900 and the longer-range A350-1000, the A350 has opened up new possibilities in commercial flying. In this article, we look at the Top 10 Longest Airbus A350 Flights, based on flight distance, with full details on operating airlines, flight durations, and aircraft types.
1. New York-JFK (JFK) – Singapore (SIN)
- Airlines: Singapore Airlines
- Flight Distance: 9,487 miles (15,267 km)
- Scheduled Flight Time: 18 hours 40 minutes
- Aircraft Type: A350-900ULR
The longest flight in the world is operated by Singapore Airlines using its special A350-900ULR (Ultra Long Range) variant. These aircraft are configured with two classes and larger fuel load to achieve the maximum non-stop range across the Pacific and the Arctic.
With no other direct connection between New York and Singapore, this flight offers a much-needed link between two of the world’s financial capitals. Singapore Airlines is known for offering one of the most comfortable ultra-long-haul flights in the sky, with refurbished business class seating on this flight.
2. Newark (EWR) – Singapore (SIN)
- Airlines: Singapore Airlines
- Flight Distance: 9,484 miles (15,262 km)
- Scheduled Flight Time: 18 hours 40 minutes
- Aircraft Type: A350-900ULR
The EWR–SIN flight is just a few miles shorter than its JFK counterpart but is equally lengthier. The flight was initially launched in the early 2000s using the Airbus A340-500 and relaunched using the more fuel-efficient A350-900ULR.
The aircraft operates with a higher fuel load and aerodynamic improvements to be capable of handling the long Pacific leg non-stop. This route is popular with business travellers and is consistently one of the longest commercial flights in the world.
3. Shenzhen (SZX) – Mexico City (MEX)
- Airlines: China Southern Airlines
- Flight Distance: 8,778 miles (14,124 km)
- Scheduled Flight Time: 16 hours 45 minutes
- Aircraft Type: A350 (variant unspecified)
This trans-pacific flight from Southern China to Central America is China Southern’s longest A350 flight, highlighting the aircraft’s use in opening up new trade and tourist corridors. The high-altitude arrival at Mexico City makes this a technically demanding flight.
However, the return flight makes a stop at Tijuana (TIJ) before home home to Shenzhen.
4. Los Angeles (LAX) – Singapore (SIN)
- Airlines: Singapore Airlines
- Flight Distance: 8,758 miles (14,094 km)
- Scheduled Flight Time: 17 hours 30 minutes
- Aircraft Type: A350-900, A350-900ULR
One of the highlights of Singapore Airlines’ West Coast operations, the LAX–SIN flight is a popular non-stop link between Southern California and Southeast Asia. It’s a crucial service for both business and vacation travelers.
Moreover, the A350-900 deployed on this route features excellent fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, such as reduced cabin altitude and higher humidity. The flight directly competes with one-stop flights via East Asia and the Middle East.
5. Manila (MNL) – New York-JFK (JFK)
- Airlines: Philippine Airlines
- Flight Distance: 8,513 miles (13,701 km)
- Scheduled Flight Time: 16 hours 30 minutes
- Aircraft Type: A350-900
Philippine Airlines operates this trans-Pacific non-stop flight using the A350-900, and it is the airline’s longest scheduled flight. It connects the Philippines and the U.S. East Coast directly, a worthwhile route for the Filipino diaspora population.
Moreover, the airline states that the A350 is well up to the job, delivering fuel efficiency on the long flight over the North Pacific. The return westbound flight is typically much longer due to prevailing headwinds.
6. San Francisco (SFO) – Singapore (SIN)
- Airlines: Singapore Airlines
- Flight Distance: 8,440 miles (13,584 km)
- Scheduled Flight Time: 17 hours
- Aircraft Type: A350-900, A350-900ULR
Launched as one of the inaugural non-stop US–Singapore flights, SFO–SIN has become a fundamental component of Singapore Airlines’ long-haul network. The trans-Pacific route is primarily served by the standard A350-900, with the airline taking full advantage of its range and passenger amenities.
Moreover, this route is also a valuable freight conduit due to strong business ties between Silicon Valley and Southeast Asia.
7. Atlanta (ATL) – Johannesburg (JNB)
- Airlines: Delta Air Lines
- Flight Distance: 8,433 miles (13,575 km)
- Scheduled Flight Time: 16 hours 30 minutes
- Aircraft Type: A350-900
Delta Air Lines operates this very long-haul flight between the U.S. Southeast and South Africa using its flagship A350-900. The flight crosses the Atlantic and nearly the entire African continent, testing the endurance of both passengers and crew.
Johannesburg’s altitude poses operational complexity. The A350’s strong high-altitude performance and lower fuel burn make it the perfect aircraft for this tough sector.
8. Doha (DOH) – Los Angeles (LAX)
- Airlines: Qatar Airways
- Flight Distance: 8,301 miles (13,360 km)
- Scheduled Flight Time: 16 hours
- Aircraft Type: A350-1000
Qatar Airways operates the eight longest A350 flights from Doha to Los Angeles on its largest A350 variant, the A350-1000. The aircraft’s increased passenger and cargo load capacity make it well-suited to one of the longest Gulf–US flights in the world.
Additionally, this flight is famous for its luxurious QSuite business class, spacious economy cabins, and consistent on-time arrival performance, all of which are made possible by the A350-1000’s efficiency on long-haul flights.
9. Manila (MNL) – Toronto (YYZ)
- Airlines: Philippine Airlines
- Flight Distance: 8,217 miles (13,222 km)
- Scheduled Flight Time: 15 hours 30 minutes
- Aircraft Type: A350-900
Philippine Airlines deploys its A350-900 to fly this route from Southeast Asia to Eastern Canada. This route serves as a valuable connection for Canada’s large Filipino population and offers one of the longest A350 polar flights.
Moreover, the route traverses the Arctic Circle and challenges aircraft efficiency and navigation reliability, two areas where the A350 excels.
10. Atlanta (ATL) – Cape Town (CPT)
- Airlines: Delta Air Lines
- Flight Distance: 8,127 miles (13,079 km)
- Scheduled Flight Time: 15 hours 50 minutes
- Aircraft Type: A350-900
Delta’s almost year-round or seasonal Atlanta-Cape Town flight is among the longest non-stop U.S.-Africa connections. It addresses high tourism, business, and cultural exchange demand between the regions.
Previously operated by the Boeing 777-200LR, the A350-900 enables Delta to fly this route non-stop with excellent fuel efficiency and comfort on the nearly 16-hour flight.
The A350’s Role in Ultra-Long-Haul Flight
The Airbus A350, and especially the A350-900ULR, has rewritten what is achievable in long-haul commercial aviation. The A350 provides up to 25% more fuel efficiency compared to previous-generation widebodies, as well as quieter engines and more comfortable onboard air quality and humidity levels, which is essential for ultra-long-haul flights.
The smaller A350-900 variant is highly deployed on ultra-long routes, thanks to its balance of range and capacity. However, it’s just the beginning as the big brother (A350-1000), featuring a longer fuselage and greater passenger capacity, gears up to operate even longer flights. Airbus is expanding the scope of the A350 family even more, airlines’ aircraft of choice to connect far-reaching points non-stop.
The Future of Ultra-Long-Haul: A350-1000 for Qantas and Turkish Airlines
While the longest Airbus A350 flights today are dominated by the A350-900 and its ULR variant, the A350-1000 will define the future of ultra-long-haul flights. With more passenger capacity, more range, and cutting-edge efficiency, the A350-1000 is the flagship of choice for several international carriers building their long-haul networks.
Qantas and Project Sunrise
Qantas has selected the Airbus A350-1000 for its highly anticipated Project Sunrise, which will feature nonstop Sydney to London and New York flights, two of the longest flight routes in commercial aviation. The flights will cover over 10,000 miles and last up to 20 hours.
To attain the extreme endurance required, Qantas will fly a specially designed version of the A350-1000 with:
- An ultra-premium four-class cabin (including first class suites)
- Additional fuel tanks for range beyond standard specifications
- Reduced passenger seats (~238 seats) for a tradeoff of weight vs. comfort
- Lower cabin altitude and higher humidity for improved passenger well-being
Qantas expects to open the first Project Sunrise flights at the end of 2026, which will be the world’s longest scheduled passenger flight and render the A350-1000 the ultimate ultra-long-range aircraft.
Turkish Airlines and Global Expansion
The Turkish flag carrier has also ordered the Airbus A350-1000, which will be operated on high-capacity, long-haul routes from its Istanbul hub. The aircraft will help Turkish Airlines realize its goal to become a top-five international carrier, with an expanding network in North and South America, Asia, and Africa.
The A350-1000 will allow Turkish Airlines to:
- Offer greater capacity on long-haul routes such as Istanbul–Los Angeles and potential Istanbul–Australia services
- Launch a next-generation premium cabin, which will feature enhanced business class suites
- More efficiently operate thinner ultra-long routes than larger quadjets
As Turkish Airlines continues to grow its presence, the A350-1000 will play a big role in connecting new continents nonstop with high onboard comfort and fuel efficiency.
Bottom Line
As aviation technology advances, ultra-long-haul flights with stopovers previously are now operated non-stop by the Airbus A350. From North America to Southeast Asia, and from the Middle East to Africa, these ten flights showcase the remarkable capabilities of this next-generation aircraft.
Moreover, as airlines continue to push the limits of range and efficiency, the list of the world’s longest A350 flights will only become more spectacular in the years to come.
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Source: Flightradar24, GC Map
