Australia's national carrier Qantas Airways announced on Sunday (Dec 11) it will roll out non-stop 17-hour flights from Perth to London in March 2018.
The 14,498km-route flights are its first regular passenger flights directly linking Australia and Europe and are said to be "game-changing".
According to the Wall Street Journal, non-stop service to Europe, a previously untapped market, could increase growth for Australia, which is experiencing a tourism boom driven largely by visitors from China.
Future developments aside, there are several other non-stop flights which are currently in operation around the world.
Here are five of the longest non-stop flights by commercial airlines.
1. United Airlines' non-stop flights between San Francisco, United States, and Singapore
Distance of the flight: 13,592km
Operator: United Airlines, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
United Airlines' non-stop flights began operations just two weeks before SIA announced its plans for non-stop flights between the two cities.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner features large glass windows, which are 65 per cent larger than any other fitted to a passenger plane. These windows are made of smart glass and can be dimmed electronically.
According to UA's website United Hub, cabin crew will also be able to control cabin lights to make them resemble different environments, such as a warm sunny day or a cool night sky.
2. World's longest flight between Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Auckland, New Zealand, by Emirates
Duration of the flight: Estimated flight time of under 16 hours from Dubai to Auckland and 17 hours and 15 minutes in the opposite direction
Distance of the flight: 14,193km
Operator: Emirates, Boeing 777-200LR
The world's longest non-stop flight between Dubai and Auckland is operated by Emirates. The airline uses the Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, which can carry up to 266 passengers and was fitted specially with a maximum range of 17,446km for these long-haul flights.
Emirates announced plans on June 2 to increase the capacity of these flights by using the A380 later this year.
The A380 aircraft, which was used in the inaugural flight from Dubai to Auckland as a one-off service, will be used daily for Emirates' Dubai-Auckland flights from December 2016.
This double-decker aircraft will be able to transport 399 passengers in Economy Class, 76 in Business Class and 14 in First Class, according to New Zealand Herald.
3. Qantas' non-stop service between Dallas/Fort Worth, US, and Sydney, Australia
Distance of the flight: 13,805km
Operator: Qantas, Airbus A380-800
Qantas is the only carrier that has direct non-stop services between Australia and Dallas/Fort Worth.
The Qantas A380 aircraft can seat 14 passengers in First Class, 64 in Business Class, 35 in Premium Economy Class and 371 in Economy Class.
The website news.com.au reported that the A380's aircraft carries 323,000 litres of fuel, which can fill a total of eight backyard swimming pools.
4. Non-stop flights between Johannesburg, South Africa, and Atlanta, US, by Delta Air Lines
Duration of the flight: 16 hours 40 mins
Distance of the flight: 13,581km
Operator: Delta Air Lines, Boeing 777-200LR
Delta Air Lines has one daily flight between Johannesburg and Atlanta in both directions and is the only carrier which operates non-stop services from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to South Africa, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) newspaper.
The Boeing 777-200LR aircraft can accommodate 291 passengers and features facilities such as flat bed seats, which are completely horizontal when fully reclined.
5 . Saudi Arabian Airlines' direct flight between Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Los Angeles, US
Distance of the flight: 13,409km
Operator: Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), Boeing 777-300ER
According to Arab News newspaper, the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft features a Business Class with 30 specially designed seats that can be turned into flat beds so passengers can get a good night's rest on the plane.
Ample space is provided to store items, including upper shelves and luggage compartments. There are also the usual entertainment amenities such as personal video screens and control handsets.
Passengers will also be able to access Wi-Fi and other communication services on these long haul fights.
Sources: The Telegraph, United Hub, New Zealand Herald, news.com.au, ajc.com (Atlanta Journal-Constitution), Arab News
