Boeing completes longest non-stop flight
A Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner, the world’s longest range commercial aircraft, completed the longest non-stop flight on record, 23 hours from Hong Kong, flying eastbound over North America to London Heathrow.
The aircraft took off with a full load of fuel and 35 passengers and crew, including four pilots, and landed just after 13.00 GMT, some 25 minutes ahead of schedule, after the 13,442-mile flight.
Unlike the 300 passengers who will be carried when the aircraft enters commercial service in early 2006, each of Boeing’s guests has a bed and room to exercise.
Representatives of the Guinness Book of World Records at Heathrow certified it as the longest flight in record, covering nearly half the distance around the world.
The ultra-long flight was made possible primarily by three auxiliary fuel tanks that will be available options on production -200LR aircraft and fuel-efficient General Electric GE90-115B engines.
Boeing has been engaged in fierce competition with Airbus over the market for very long-range jets. Both companies believe that there is growing demand for non-stop flights halfway around the globe.
Singapore Airlines currently operates the world’s longest commercial route, using an Airbus A340-500 to fly 18 hours from Singapore to New York.
But most airlines doubt whether enough people will be prepared to sit on an aircraft for 20 hours for the sake of saving three.
Only two, Pakistan International and Eva Air, have so far bought the long-range 777, ordering five between them.
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt