UPDATE: Emirates updated its schedule yesterday and swapped out the 777-300ER for a 777-200LR. Thus, it looks like we won’t see a 777W on this route. I’ve reached out to Emirates for confirmation and will update this post accordingly.
Emirates will resume nonstop service between Dubai and Auckland in January, but instead of using the Airbus A380 it plans to use the Boeing 777-300ER on the route. That would set a record for regularly-scheduled passenger service on this aircraft.
Emirates Will Resume Its Longest Flight, Use 777-300ER
Effective January 3 2021, per Routes Online, Emirates will resume nonstop service between Dubai (DXB) and Auckland (AKL). The flight is currently world’s fourth longest route and prior to the pandemic, had been operated utilizing an A380.
But Emirates plans to use a 777-300ER, also known as a 77W, to better maximize cargo and passenger capacity. The flight has been operating irregularly during the pandemic on a cargo-only basis and is able to make the 8,824 mile journey without stopping for fuel.
Add in passengers and the flight will likely be weight restricted traveling westbound from Auckland. Then again, with so many borders still closed it is highly unlikely Emirates will be able to sell out the flight anyway.
The 777-200LR has a longer range and originally served this route when Emirates launched it in March 2016. Qatar Airways utilizes a 777-200LR, also known as a 77L, on its 9,032 mile service between Doha and Aukland.
Word’s Five Longest Flights
As a reminder, the five longest flights in the world include:
1. Singapore – Newark
- Singapore Airlines
- 9,534 miles
- 18 hours, 30 minutes
- Airbus A350-900ULR
2. Auckland – Doha
- Qatar Airways
- 9,032 miles
- 17 hours, 50 minutes
- Boeing 777-200LR
3. Perth – London
- Qantas
- 9,009 miles
- 17 hours, 25 minutes
- Boeing 787-9
4. Dubai – Auckland
- Emirates
- Distance: 8,824
- 17 hours, 10 minutes
- Boeing 777-300ER (effective January 03, 2021)
5. Singapore – Los Angeles
- Singapore Airlines
- 8,770 miles
- 17 hours, 50 minutes
- Airbus A350-900ULR
Note two flights were planned planned for 2020/2021 that will displace some on the list, including:
- Brisbane – Chicago / Qantas / 8,902 miles / 787-9
- Auckland – Newark / Air New Zealand / 8,810 / 787-9
CONCLUSION
Emirates plans to re-launch non-stop passenger service between Dubai and Auckland next January. It also plans to utilize a 777-300ER on the route, which is cutting it close in terms of range. My guess, sadly, is that the route will not resume, at least on a non-stop basis, due to lingering fears and restrictions over the pandemic.
Would you take Emirates’ Longest 777-300ER flight or would you prefer to break-up your journey in East Asia or Australia?
image: Emirates
The longer the flight, the most you get contaminated. There is no supply of fresh air, but a recycled one. The Hepa filters are not 100% accurate and do not stop 100% the contamination.
The longer your life, the higher the chances of something happening to you. So might as well end it all sooner rather than later?
I wonder where UA’s IAH-SYD flight ranks in world’s longest flights list. I took this flight back in February and even in business it was one long flight (17hrs 53 mins to be exact). Normally I’ll opt for a cash economy seat but thank god for the miles game on that flight.
Please go back under the rock from which you came, if you want to be 100% assured of anything.
Very well said and realistic for these days. No earthly thing is ASSURED–False security!
Recycled air? You mean aircraft have a system that turns carbon dioxide into oxygen? Or have you figured out a way to breathe in CO2?Perhaps a little research is necessary before you simply repeat what bozos the world over claim.
I have used Emirates business on that route in their 380. But I would not dream of doing it in their 777 which is a terrible hard product
Indeed, even the new business class seats are inferior to the A380 seats and spaciousness. The new first class on the other hand…
Good luck with new flight in new era of aviation……
I don’t think this is going to happen. A 777-300ER is going to be heavily payload restricted, meaning something like 190 passengers maximum and no cargo as well as no headwinds. Either someone screwed up on their scheduling team or their flight operations and planning department doesn’t know what they’re doing. Then again, it is an Arab airline, so maybe safety isn’t always at the top of their priorities but rather headlines and press coverage is (even when negative and damning).
I don’t quite get Steve-O what you mean by “Arab airline” suggesting they don’t take safety seriously.
I worked 7 years for Emirates and if threres one aspect which I find hard to criticize is their commitment with safety. They are first place on JACDEC, with Ethihad and Air Arabia within the top 10.