4 Other Ultra-Long-Haul Routes From New York JFK

New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is one of the largest airports in the world. In 2023, 144 million passengers traveled through the airport, a 4% increase from pre-pandemic levels and a new record for the airport. It serves as a gateway to the continental US for millions of people and a major airport for Americans to travel to the rest of the world. More than 90 airlines operate at the airport, connecting passengers to all six inhabited continents worldwide.

Photo: EarthScape ImageGraphy | Shutterstock

The airport is also home to many long-haul routes, but a few are considered ultra-long ones. For a route to be considered ultra-long-haul, it has to be at least 16 hours of flight time. One of the most popular flights in this category is to Singapore Changi Airport, which serves as a hub to greater Asia and Oceania. However, Singapore isn’t the only ultra-long haul flight from JFK. According to Cirium, an aviation analytics company, there are four more destinations this May:

1

Auckland, New Zealand

Operated by Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand (NZ) began direct non-stop flights from Auckland Airport (AKL) to JFK on September 17th, 2022. The flight is 8,813 miles long as the crow flies and takes just under 16 hours. The return flight from JFK takes one hour more due to headwinds from high-altitude jet streams.

Photo: Toshi K | Shutterstock

NZ operates its Boeing 787-9 on the route, which flies thrice a week on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The aircraft has 275 seats, though many are categorized as unavailable due to weight limitations. Each flight requires four pilots and multiple cabin crew members, all working shifts to stay within duty times.

Cirium data shows the airline will offer 6,000 seats and 58.16 million available seat miles (ASMs) for May. However, as previously stated, not all are utilized, meaning the actual numbers are lower than the estimates.

Operated by Qantas Airlines

Qantas Airlines (QF) began flights to Auckland Airport (AKL) from JFK in June 2023 as part of its Project Sunrise initiative. QF directly competes with AZ and takes a bite out of the monopoly that AZ enjoyed. QF prepared for the route for nearly two years, including revamping the Qantas International Lounge in AKL.

Photo: Austin Deppe | Shutterstock

Like its main competitor, Qantas uses the 787-9 Dreamliner for the route, which it flies four times a week. The aircraft is configured to offer passengers a premium experience.

The Dreamliner has 42 lie-flat seats in business class, 28 recliners in premium economy, and 166 seats in the economy cabin. To add flair, business class passengers will receive themed sleepwear and amenity kits, while all passengers will be treated to meals inspired by New York City.

QF’s aircraft have less seating capacity than AZ’s. However, it operates six more flights in each direction than its competitor, allowing the airline to offer 8,496 seats and 74.87 million ASMs.

2

Manila, Philippines

Operated by Philippine Airlines

Philippine Airlines (PR) directly flies from Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) to JFK and back. Due to westerly sub-tropical jet stream winds, the flight takes under 16 hours to reach JFK and 17 hours to return to MNL.

Photo: Airbus

The airline offers twice-weekly roundtrip flights and utilizes the Airbus A350-900. The aircraft has 30 business class seats, 24 premium economy class seats, and 241 economy class seats. The flight covers a distance of 8,513 miles. In May, PR will offer a total of 27 flights, and 8,260 seats as well as 74.87 million ASM.

There are no other direct competitors for the direct flight. However, many airlines fly in the opposite direction and have layovers in the Middle East and Europe on the way to JFK.

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3

Guangzhou, China

Operated by China Southern Airlines

Being one of the ten largest airlines in the world, China Southern is the only airline that operates a non-stop flight from JFK to its home base in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). The flight is the shortest on the list and is 8,000 miles long. The route was restarted in December 2023 after it was closed due to the pandemic. According to China Southern, it operates one flight per week with the following schedule:

• Every Thursday at 19:00EST (CZ699) from CAN to JFK.
• Every Saturday at 00:45EST (CZ600) from JFK to CAN.

Photo: Nieuwland Photography | Shutterstock

The airline uses the Boeing 777-30ER for the flight, which offers 360 available seats per flight. The Boeing is in a four-class configuration with 4 flatbed first class seats, 34 flatbed business class seats, 44 premium economy seats, and 227 standard economy seats. The flights take around 16 hours, but the airline usually follows the westerly jet stream, which results in slightly lower flight times—they average around 15 hours and 30 minutes. The airline offers passengers 1,800 seats each way a month and 14.4 million ASMs.

4

Hong Kong, China

Operated by Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific (CX) operates 91 flights from HKG to JFK and another 91 on the way back, the most on the list by a long shot. It operates three daily flights on the route and primarily uses the Airbus A350-1000. The aircraft has three classes: 46 angled flatbed business class seats, 32 recliner premium economy class seats, and 256 standard economy class seats for a total of 334 seats.

Photo: Cathay Pacific

The airline returned the Boeing 777-300ER to service on the route at the end of January 2024. The premium-heavy aircraft has six angled flatbed first class seats, 53 flatbed business class seats, 34 premium economy seats, and 201 economy class seats. The airline offers roughly 55,120 and 444.81 million ASMs in May.

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