Australian airline Qantas has completed the world’s longest non-stop flight by a commercial aircraft, covering the distance from New York to Sydney in over 19 hours, with 50 passengers and crew members on board.
The Qantas 7879 aircraft took off Friday evening from John F. Kennedy Airport in New York and landed at Kingsford Smith Airport in Sydney on Sunday morning. This was the first in a series of three ultra-long-haul flights planned by the Australian company in 2019.
Qantas, which will also test a direct flight between London and Sydney, aims to operate regular commercial ultra-long-haul flights.
For the first test flight, Qantas modified a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner: the cabin was reduced to allow the fuel tank to be filled to maximum capacity, and the number of passengers and amount of luggage were reduced. All carbon emissions will be offset through other measures to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, Qantas representatives stated.
40 passengers, including Qantas executives, scientists, and journalists, and 10 crew members were on board the aircraft.
Source: Economica
Frequently Asked Questions
How long was the longest non-stop flight?
The flight from New York to Sydney lasted over 19 hours, covering approximately 16,200 kilometers.
What aircraft was used for this record-breaking flight?
Qantas used a modified Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with reduced weight and maximum fuel capacity.
What is the purpose of these test flights?
The tests aim to study the effects of ultra-long-haul travel on passengers and crew before launching regular commercial services.