City
Epaper

Qantas completes testing longest passenger flight

By IANS | Updated: October 20, 2019 13:10 IST

Australian flag carrier Qantas on Sunday said that it has completed testing a New York to Sydney flight, deemed as the world's longest with nearly 20 hours in the air without layovers, as part of a research on how the journey could affect the people onboard.

Open in App

The flight, which departed New York on Friday, is the first of three planned test flights involving the new Boeing 757-9s aircraft which are set to cover new direct routes between Sydney and, London and New York.

The flight with 49 people onboard took 19 hours and 16 minutes to reach Sydney on Sunday, a 16,200-km route, the BBC reported.

Passengers set their watches to Sydney time after boarding and were kept awake until night fell in eastern Australia to reduce their jetlag.

Six hours later, they were served a high-carbohydrate meal and the lights were dimmed to encourage them to sleep.

Onboard tests included monitoring pilot brain waves, melatonin levels and alertness as well as exercise classes for passengers and analysis of the impact of crossing so many time zones on people's bodies.

According to Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce, the development was a "really significant first for aviation".

Competition in the ultra-long haul aviation market has intensified in recent years, with various airlines flying extended routes, the BBC reported.

Singapore Airlines launched a near-19 hour journey from Singapore to New York last year, which is currently the world's longest regular commercial flight.

Also last year, Qantas began a 17-hour non-stop service from Perth to London, while Qatar Airways operates a 17.5-hour service between Auckland and Doha.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: New YorkQantas GroupSydneybbcLondon
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalNew York Helicopter Crash Video: 6 Killed as Chopper Plunges Into Hudson River in Manhattan

NationalMumbai-London Atlantic Flight Makes Emergency Landing, More Than 200 Indian Flyers Stuck in Turkey With No Aid

EntertainmentSamantha Ruth Prabhu Enjoys a Day with Kangaroos and Koalas at Sydney Wildlife Park, Fans React

NationalMamata Banerjee Jogging Video: West Bengal CM Says See No One Left Behind During Her Jog in Saree at Hyde Park in London

InternationalLondon: Heathrow Airport to Remain Closed All Day Due to Power Outage After Fire at Hayes Electrical Substation

International Realted Stories

International"We stand in solidarity with India," US DNI Gabbard says

InternationalArgentina backs India, praises PM Modi's strong stance on punishing terrorists behind Pahalgam terror attack

InternationalUN human rights expert condemns brutal treatment of Baloch leaders in Pakistani custody

InternationalUS India Caucus calls for "intelligence cooperation between US-India"

InternationalPresident Murmu arrives in Rome for Pope Francis' funeral