US-Australia-New Zealand nonstop Dreamliner routes cover vast distances

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US-Australia-New Zealand nonstop Dreamliner routes cover vast distances

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Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9s | Air New Zealand

By Sky Industry News

Jun 28, 2025

All of the longest nonstop flights over 8,200 miles from the United States are to destinations in Australia and New Zealand. These flights are operated by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner by airlines such as United Airlines, Air New Zealand, and Qantas. Although Airbus A350 aircraft serve the three longest routes globally, the Boeing 787-9 is capable of handling many long-distance commercial routes.

Air New Zealand's Boeing 787-9s use Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. However, due to issues with these engines' turbine blades, the GEnX engines have become more popular among other airlines. Both United Airlines and Qantas equip their Dreamliners with GEnX turbofans.

"The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is one of the most popular widebody aircraft on the market today," states a source regarding its popularity for long-haul flights. The Dreamliner first entered service in 2011, replacing older models like the Boeing 767 for passenger travel.

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United Airlines operates one of these ultra-long-haul flights from San Francisco to Sydney. "From SFO to Sydney, the scheduled flight time is 13 hours and 30 minutes," with an average distance of "8,440 miles." This route is notably frequent, with two daily round trips scheduled.

Qantas operates a route from Dallas-Fort Worth to Sydney covering "8,569 miles," while Air New Zealand flies from JFK to Auckland over "8,813 miles." Another Qantas route connects Dallas-Fort Worth to Melbourne over "8,973 miles."

These routes exemplify how Australian and New Zealand airlines utilize their fleets for long-haul connections to North America. The opening of a new international airport in Sydney aims to ease congestion at Kingsford Smith Airport.

Air New Zealand's longest U.S.-bound flight runs between Auckland and JFK thrice weekly. Each trip covers an average distance of "8,813 miles" with varying flight times depending on direction due to crossing time zones.

Qantas also runs flights from Auckland to JFK five times weekly as part of its fifth-freedom rights. This segment precedes direct service plans once their new Airbus A350-1000s arrive.

Qantas' route between Dallas-Fort Worth and Melbourne marks another significant journey at nearly "8,973 miles." While this particular flight runs four times per week in July.

Australia and New Zealand maintain their reputation as remote yet connected through these extensive air travel links that facilitate global connectivity via some of the world's longest nonstop flights originating or terminating in the United States.