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Airbus, with the Airbus A350-1000ULR, made the longest non-stop flight in aviation history between Melbourne and Toulouse.
The history of commercial aviation has just written a new chapter. In an unprecedented demonstration of reach and efficiency, a Airbus A350-1000ULR completed a direct flight from Melbourne, Australia, to the manufacturer's headquarters in Toulouse, France.
New longest non-stop flight in history
The aircraft of Airbus and soon Qantas, traveled an impressive distance of 12.460 nautical miles (23.075,92 km) in a total time of 24 hours and 24 minutes, setting a new mark in the industry's non-stop operations.
This milestone reignites debate and fascination about the limits of aviation and raises the question of how this operation compares to other major brands over time.. Determining which is the longest flight in history depends largely on the parameters that are evaluated: whether it is measured by the total distance traveled or by the continuous stay in the air.
The records of modern commercial aviation
Over the years, Both manufacturers and airlines have carried out special operations and scheduled commercial flights designed to push aircraft range to the limit..
- Boeing 777-200LR (2005): Holds the absolute distance record for an unmodified commercial airliner. Flew from Hong Kong to London traveling east (crossing the Pacific and the United States) to cover 13.433 miles in 22 hours and 42 minutes. Transported only to 35 passengers, crew and special guests to demonstrate the operational capabilities of the model.
- Airbus A340-200 (1993): During the Le Bourget air show, the aircraft nicknamed World Ranger flew non-stop from Paris to Auckland, covering 11.978 miles in 21 hours and 46 minutes, before returning the opposite route.
- Qantas – Project Sunrise (2019): As part of its research flights to evaluate the physical effects and jet lag on passengers and crew, Qantas operated a Boeing 787-9 between New York/Sydney and London/Sydney, reaching in the latter a distance of 11.060 miles and a flight time of 19 hours and 19 minutes.
- Comlux Boeing 787 (2021): A VIP charter flight from the Comlux company connected Seoul with Buenos Aires non-stop, recording 20 hours and 19 minutes in the air to cover 10.520 nautical miles.
- Air Tahiti Nui (TN064 – 2020): Due to global health restrictions, the airline operated the flight between Papeete on time (PPT) and Paris (CDG) without the usual stopover in Los Angeles. With 9.765 miles and 16 flight hours, became the longest scheduled domestic commercial flight by distance.
- Singapore Airlines (BLUE CLOUD): The route between Changi International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport remains the longest scheduled commercial passenger flight in service in the world, covering 9.534 miles in an approximate time of 18 hours and 45 minutes on board Airbus A350-900ULR aircraft.
- Qatar Airways (DOH-AKL): The connection between Doha and Auckland represents the second longest active scheduled commercial flight on the planet, with a distance of 9.032 miles and a duration of 18 hours and 5 minutes.
Historical milestones prior to modern jet aviation
Before the advent of high-efficiency turbine engines and composite materials, Commercial and military aviation was already achieving extraordinary operational records in propeller and piston aircraft..
- Qantas «Double Sunrise» (1943-1945): In the middle of World War II, Qantas operated a regular service between Perth (Australia) and Sri Lanka using Consolidated PBY Catalina seaplanes. The flights lasted an average of 28 hours in the air, receiving its name because the crew and passengers saw the sunrise twice during the same journey.
- Martin Mars JRM-2 (1948): The 28 august 1948, this gigantic US Navy seaplane flew non-stop from Hawaii to Chicago, staying in the air for 24 hours and 12 minutes.
- TWA – Lockheed Starliner (1957): The 2 October 1957, Trans World Airlines inaugurated the route between London and San Francisco without stops flying over the North Pole in a Lockheed L-1649A Starliner, completing the journey in 23 hours and 19 minutes.
- Argentinian airlines (1967): The company marked a regional and international milestone by consolidating the route between Buenos Aires and Madrid non-stop on its Boeing aircraft 707, covering 6.253 miles in record time for the time of 12 flight hours.
The recent flight of Airbus A350-1000ULR reconfirms the technical advance of the aeronautical industry. As materials technology and engine efficiency continue to evolve, The barrier of time and distance in commercial aviation will continue to move towards horizons that previously seemed unattainable.
Would they fly for so many hours in a row inside a plane? I read them in the comments.
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I think the flights 20 a 24 The hours they intend to do are going to be very long and boring and, above all, very tired and stressful, even though the first class trip is very well attended, I prefer a stopover to move my legs.
it's a good point, what's more, direct the ticket will be more expensive than with stops.