The world’s longest non-stop commercial flights and how are they measured
There is no wi-fi, the blanket is as ‘snuggly as a cactus’ and there are only two proper meals. But at $1323, should you expect any more?
Take a seat
Unlike my flight to the US, which was completely full in economy, leaving me stuck in the middle seat of a middle row, this economy cabin is about 80 per cent full. There’s even a spare seat between me and my aisle-seat neighbour; we’re overjoyed about the extra shared space. On flights like this, every bonus centimetre counts.
My seat map says we’ll fly 14,122km – just over a third of the Earth’s circumference – in a single hop. Based on that figure, this journey should make the world’s top 10 longest non-stop flights, but aviation analytics firm OAG begs to differ. Either way, it’s an endurance test.
Configured 3-3-3, the black and maroon fabric seats look as smart as you could hope for in this class. They come with an 81cm pitch or legroom, 43.6cm width and 15cm of recline. Flip out the shelf below the TV screen to access the USB charger (the cavity can also hold phone, glasses, lip balm and the like). The shared AC outlet between the seats glows green for only a few minutes: bad news for my phone’s low battery. I peek around other rows – only a few random green lights are visible. The amenity kit – mask, plugs, brush, paste – is basic, the pillow comfy, but the David Caon-designed blankie, made from 12 plastic bottles, is about as snuggly as a cactus.
Tech talk
In-flight wi-fi? Dream on.
On the menu
For dinner (served while soaring above El Paso, Texas), there’s Southern braised beef, chicken with roast vegies and rice, or a yellow curry with cauliflower and eggplant. The beef is tasty, with the garlic bread roll a handy mop for the sauce. Dessert is a tangy key lime mousse. Mid-flight, the peckish can chow down on a ham-and-cheese toastie or visit the galley’s snack bar for cheese and crackers, chocolate bars, biscuits, fruit and crisps. Breakfast – served above New Caledonia – is scrambled eggs with chicken sausage, hash browns and mushrooms, or a fruit plate.
That’s entertainment
With a flight this long I finally have a spare 215 minutes to watch this year’s big Oscar-winner, The Brutalist. The range of recent Hollywood movies is excellent, but it would be great if the running time of audiobooks was noted, because the “library” includes tempting titles such as Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie and Hannah Kent’s Devotion.
At your service
I started my journey in Kentucky, and by the time I board I’m parched (I blame the pre-journey bourbon). Before service begins, I request water – it’s brought promptly to my seat (ditto for the hot chocolate later in the flight). Attendants are unrelentingly cheery.
In the bag
Economy-class passengers can check one bag up to 32kg (those with Qantas frequent-flyer status of silver and above can check three bags up to 32kg), plus carry-on up to 7kg.
On the ground
When boarding this flight, there’s no need to have your passport or even boarding pass in hand. Dallas Fort Worth is one of dozens of US airports using one-step biometric (facial recognition) boarding for international departures. Your face is your boarding pass. As always, I brace for absolute scenes at Sydney International Airport, but am shocked by the sight of no arrival queues, leaving me free to wait 40 minutes for my baggage.
In the know
When this ultra-long-haul route launched in 2011, it used a B747-400ER and the west-bound leg required a stop in Brisbane thanks to the extra demand of flying into headwinds. That stop was eliminated when the aircraft changed to an A380 (2014-20). Qantas resumed the route in 2022 using the Dreamliner; from August 11, 2025, the daily flights will use a mix of Dreamliners and A380s. Outside NSW daylight saving season, the flight departs DFW at 10.40pm, so it doesn’t break Sydney Airport’s 6am curfew.
On the downside
Travel to the US in Donald Trump’s heavy-handed second era comes with a side-serve of anxiety for many about clearing immigration. For the record, I travelled on a journalist’s visa and entered the country at DFW with no extra hassle or questions.
The bottom line
One-way economy flights on Qantas from Dallas Fort Worth to Sydney are $1323, based on airline website search departing two months from the date of publication.
The verdict
There’s no way to sugar-coat this journey; sitting in economy for about 17 hours is hard on the body. There are, however, plenty of small joys, from the attendants’ unwavering cheerfulness to the rare chance for a movie binge-athon.
Katrina Lobley was a guest of Travel South USA.
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