Qantas and Airbus have released the first images of the A350-1000ULR, the 22-hour range aircraft at center stage of Project Sunrise. The first aircraft is scheduled to arrive in about a year’s time, and will enable the world’s longest commercial flights. We recently detailed the history and future prospects of the ultra-long-haul-flights phenomenon—but the question remains:
Would you go on a 20+ hour flight? Or have we already reached the limit for how long a non-stop service should be?
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11 Responses
As an Aussie, this is normal flight time. Not a problem at all.
As the longest commercial airline flight is New York to Singapore averaging 18 hours and 40 minutes I don’t see how you can say 20+ hours is normal.
I wouldn’t mind it at all if the comfort is there. But if they pack us as sardines in a can, I’d think twice.
Having endured 10 flights of around 14 hours duration on 3 different aircraft – 777, A350 & A380 I can say that after 14 hours I’ve had enough.
For example :
Brisbane – Dubai ( avg. 13H50M ) a 2 to 3 hour layover then Dubai – Dusseldorf ( avg. 6H19M ) is tolerable in economy class and the short layover is a welcome break.
( I think ) The 2 to 3 hour delay would only be unacceptable if it meant a very inconvenient arrival time.
I’ve done the DOH/AKL routing in business class and was never bored. A few more hours would be fine. But Qantas isn’t Qatar.
Yes because i love going on long journeys and i would play video games the whole time.
Yes
My wife (when she was 57)and I did the 14 hour Brisbane to Dubai (in economy) a few years ago coming home to Ireland after 3 weeks in NZ. She was exercising, but evidently not enough; a few days later noticed a mark on her leg which turned out to be a clot, thankfully she got treatment in time as it could have developed into DVT, potentially fatal. I believe this can often happen after a long flight in economy. I feel airlines should highlight the danger of DVT more than they currently do.
Long flights yikes!!! The danger of potential blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis) especially in the legs from being seated basically motionless for hours on a long flight is real as Richard Green noted. Happened to me as a result of a six-hour plus long (strong headwinds) BWI to San Diego Southwest flight in 2008. Getting up and just walking around is not always possible or permissible. Since 2008 after that which resulted in an ER visit in LaJolla I wear compression stockings (from just below the knees that cover the calf and feet). I wear them daily and now need blood thinners. Quite used to them and they make my legs feel rested and not ache at all. While, me at 78 years old, never envisions taking an ultra-long trips, I would never take a trip without wearing them. Wonder if pilots wear them too. Having said all of this, I’d love to visit some Asian destinations but not sure that I could sit still for so many hours. As it is I hate my 4-hour fights to visit my grandkids. I am a long-haul sissy. Safe travels all you long haulers.
Depends on the airline and plane
Qantas seems commited to the venture. Having been on the Auckland – Dubai and back route four times now (business class – 16/17 hours), time does pass (includes sleep).
Adding another three hours would be OK. Not sure many people woud put up with 20 hours in an economy seat unless there was more leg room and the seat reclined somewhat.
OFC I would probably be looking out the window the whole flight lol I wouldn’t be able to sleep I love Aviation way to much and if it was on a legendary wide body like y 747 -400 or the a350-100 it would be sick