Qatar Airways claims record for world's longest flight

17 hours and 30 minutes – Qatar Airways claims the record for the worlds longest flight.

Qatar Airways just beat previous record holder Emirates for the world’s longest flight following the launch of its new service from Doha to to Auckland, New Zealand. With this new route it now claims the title of the world’s longest regularly scheduled airline flight by flying time.

Qatar Airways launched its inaugural flight to Auckland from Doha on Sunday on a Boeing 777 which holds 217 passengers in economy and 42 in business class. The Auckland to Doha route is said to take 17 hours and 30 minutes edging past Emirates’ Dubai to Auckland route that clocks 17 hours and 15 mins.

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker, who traveled on board the inaugural flight, said the new Auckland service was “an important milestone” in the airline’s global expansion.

With many airlines adding ultra long haul flights to their timetables we are sure Qatar’s status won’t go unchallenged for long. Singapore Airlines may soon take the top spot when it resumes its non-stop flights to New York – a 19-hour service that could relaunch next year.