Programs: MR Plt, SPG Plt, HH GLD, US SLV, AA Gold,
Posts: 5,924
Quote:
Originally Posted by meester69
the world's top 10 longest flights are all between either JFK, LAX or EWR, and BKK, SIN or HKG
That link is from 2007. Only 5 are now in that category. Johanesburg, Dubai and Doha have moved into the top 10, mostly due to the 772LR's of Emirates and Qatar.
I did BOM-ATL a few months ago and it was #3, now discontinued.
EWR-SIN is 9535mi 18h50min. The longest Australia flight is LAX-MEL, 7921 and 15:45, at number 12.
A good point of terminology is made here. As one who spent some years working in the industry, here are the original definitions:
Nonstop: A flight that flies nonstop from one airport to another
Direct: A flight that makes stops enroute but with no change of planes
Years ago, i.e. before most of you were born or at least paying attention to such things (pre-1980), it was not uncommon for flights to make multiple stops enroute. Often, on international flights the aircraft didn't have the range so current nonstops like LAX-SYD were more commonly routed LAX-HNL-NAN-SYD. Domestically, the hub and spoke system didn't really develop fully until the demise of the CAB in 1978. Fares were higher and less people were traveling by air, so the airlines had less airplanes. It was not uncommon, especially in rural areas, to make stops at a number of cities along the way. Western used to operate an early evening "direct flight" from Denver to Billings that made stops in Cheyenne, Casper and Sheridan. WA also offered a "nonstop" DEN-BIL flight in the morning.
These days, most people use the term "direct" to describe nonstop, just as many people use the term "Horns" to describe the calcified appendages atop the heads of members of the deer family. The correct term is "antlers" as in antlers are shed, horns are permanent. Still, that's never stopped many people from using the term "horns". It's the same with "direct" vs "Nonstop"
I wouldn't lose any sleep over it but put your beer down and think about it for a moment: There's a reason why the term "Nonstop" has ever been used. Otherwise, all flights would be "direct".
