While long-haul flights on wide-body planes have been common for years, more and more airlines are pushing the limits of what is possible with narrow-body aircraft. Currently, the Airbus A321neo, primarily the LR and the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are used widely to operate long-haul narrow-body flights.
Long-haul narrow-body flights cost less per trip than widebody planes, making them attractive to airlines. They can operate from secondary or tertiary cities where demand is limited, to expand route networks. With a smaller size, they consume less fuel and are easier to fill during low seasons.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Flight SK925 from Copenhagen to Washington is currently the World’s longest non-stop narrow-body flight, lasting around 9 hours and 30 minutes. This flight is operated by an Airbus A321neo aircraft.
In this post, we share the World’s longest non-stop flights operated by narrow-body aircraft.
The 10 Longest Narrow-body Flights in the World in 2023
*Note that all routes are ranked by “great circle” distance. Flights are on a non-stop basis.
1. Copenhagen, Denmark to Washington, USA, Flight SK925
Airline: SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Flight Distance: 6556 km (3540 NMI)
Flight Time: 9 Hours, 30 Minutes
Aircraft: Airbus A321neo (A321LR)
2. Male, Maldives to Moscow, Russia, Flight ZF708
Airline: Azur Airlines
Flight Distance: 6550 km (3536 NMI)
Flight Time: 9 Hours, 30 Minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 757-200
3. Milan, Italy to Newark, USA, Flight BO300
Airline: La Compagnie
Flight Distance: 6453 km (3484 NMI)
Flight Time: 9 Hours, 20 Minutes
Aircraft: Airbus A321neo (A321LR)
4. Stockholm, Sweden to Newark, USA, Flight SK903
Airline: SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Flight Distance: 6324 km (3415 NMI)
Flight Time: 8 Hours, 50 Minutes
Aircraft: Airbus A321neo (A321LR)
5. Melbourne, Australia to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Flight OD174
Airline: Batik Air
Flight Distance: 6303 km (3403 NMI)
Flight Time: 8 Hours, 35 Minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 737 MAX 8
6. Copenhagen, Denmark to New York JFK, USA, Flight SK919
Airline: SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Flight Distance: 6204 km (3350 NMI)
Flight Time: 9 Hours, 5 Minutes
Aircraft: Airbus A321neo (A321LR)
7. Sal, Cape Verde to Helsinki, Finland, Flight 6B528
Airline: TUI Fly
Flight Distance: 6158 km (3325 NMI)
Flight Time: 7 Hours, 50 Minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 737 MAX 8
8. Brasília, Brazil to Orlando, USA, Flight G37602
Airline: GOL Linhas Aereas
Flight Distance: 6080 km (3283 NMI)
Flight Time: 7 Hours, 55 Minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 737 MAX 8
9. Buenos Aires, Argentina to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Flight AR1324/1326
Airline: Aerolineas Argentinas
Flight Distance: 5999 km (3239 NMI)
Flight Time: 7 Hours, 30 Minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 737 MAX 8
10. Lisbon, Portugal to Belém, Brazil, Flight TP47
Airline: Tap Air Portugal
Flight Distance: 5996 km (3238 NMI)
Flight Time: 7 Hours, 55 Minutes
Aircraft: Airbus A321neo (A321LR)
In the near future, the addition of the Airbus A321XLR will further boost the operation of long-haul narrow-body flights, breaking all current records for any narrow-body aircraft.
A Disadvantage to Passengers?
Even though long-haul narrow-body flights save time as a direct flight without connecting at major hub airports, the single-aisle aircraft takes longer to board, and may not have as much space as a widebody airplane. The foot traffic on the single-aisle may be bothersome as most toilets are at the rear of the aircraft.
Narrowbody also flies at a slower speed, a disadvantage, especially with strong headwind scenarios (Westbound Transatlantic).
Have you ever flown on one of these flights mentioned above? What was your longest narrow-body flight? Let us know in the comments below.
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Sources: Cirium SRS Analyser, GC Map