Is London to Sydney the Longest Flight?

By Michael Ferguson

Flying from one continent to another is always an exciting and thrilling experience. However, some flights are longer than others.

Among the long-haul flights, there is one that stands out – London to Sydney. But, is London to Sydney really the longest flight? Let’s find out.

What is the Distance between London and Sydney?

London is the capital of England and located in the northern hemisphere, while Sydney is in Australia and situated in the southern hemisphere. The distance between these two cities is approximately 17,000 kilometers or 10,625 miles.

The Longest Direct Flight

Currently, the longest direct flight available is from Singapore to Newark. The flight covers a distance of 15,345 kilometers or 9,534 miles and takes around 18 hours and 45 minutes. This flight was launched by Singapore Airlines in 2018.

What About London to Sydney?

There used to be a direct flight from London to Sydney operated by Qantas Airways, but it was discontinued in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before it was discontinued, this flight was one of the longest flights available.

However, Qantas Airways has announced plans to launch non-stop flights between London and Sydney by 2024 as part of its “Project Sunrise”. These flights are expected to cover a distance of around 17,000 kilometers or more and take approximately 20 hours or more.

Alternative Routes

While there are no direct flights available from London to Sydney at present, some airlines offer alternative routes that come close in terms of distance covered. For example:

  • Air India offers a route from Delhi (India) to San Francisco (USA) via London that covers a distance of around 16,986 kilometers or 10,567 miles.
  • Singapore Airlines offers a route from Singapore to San Francisco (USA) via Hong Kong that covers a distance of around 13,594 kilometers or 8,434 miles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while London to Sydney used to be one of the longest flights available, it is no longer the case. Currently, the longest direct flight available is from Singapore to Newark.

However, Qantas Airways’ “Project Sunrise” plans to launch non-stop flights between London and Sydney in the near future. For now, there are alternative routes available that come close in terms of distance covered.