The end of the year is fast approaching. Cirium Diio data for November shows the Boeing 787 (the 8, 9, and 10 variants combined) will operate more than one in four of the world's long-haul flights (27%). It has replaced the 777 as the world's leading widebody. The middle-of-the-road 787-9 is the top twin-aisle for both overall service and long-haul activity.

The 787-9 combines a very long range with relatively high capacity. It is by far the most popular 787 variant. Unsurprisingly, it operates all the world's ten longest one-stop Dreamliner flights. This includes the leading route: Qantas from Sydney to Paris CDG via Perth. The same aircraft begins/ends in Sydney. In contrast, the equipment that operates Perth-London Heathrow flights does not.

The World's 10 Longest 1-Stop 787 Flights In November

To qualify, the same aircraft and the same flight number must be used. It does not matter if traffic rights are available or not. Most of the time they exist: Air China has fifth freedom rights for Madrid to São Paulo/Havana, as does Qantas from New York JFK to Auckland, Air Canada from Mumbai to London Heathrow, and United between Hong Kong and Bangkok/Ho Chi Minh City. However, Biman Bangladesh does not: it simply changes crew and refuels in Istanbul en route to Toronto.

You might be wondering about two markets that are not listed. At 19h 30m, the Boston-Brussels-Beijing Capital leg of the around-the-world service operated by Hainan Airlines' 787-9s was not quite long enough to feature. Nor was the 19h 20m operation by Xiamen Air from New York JFK back to Fuzhou, which has been confirmed as stopping in Tokyo Narita to refuel.

Maximum Block Time In November*

Direction Of Route With That Time

November's 1-Stop 787 Operations**

25h 20m

Sydney-Perth-Paris CDG

Qantas. Three weekly 787-9

25h 10m

Beijing Capital-Madrid-São Paulo Guarulhos

Air China. Three weekly 787-9

24h 30m

Beijing Capital-Madrid-Havana

Air China. Two weekly 787-9

23h 00m

New York JFK-Auckland-Sydney

Qantas. Five weekly 787-9

22h 20m

Mumbai-London Heathrow-Toronto

Air Canada. Four weekly 787-9

22h 00m

Paris CDG-Los Angeles-Papeete

Air Tahiti Nui. Four weekly 787-9

21h 30m

Los Angeles-Hong Kong-Bangkok Suvarnabhumi

United. Daily 787-9

20h 45m

Los Angeles-Hong Kong-Ho Chi Minh City

United. Daily 787-9

20h 45m

Dhaka-Istanbul Airport-Toronto

Biman Bangladesh. Three weekly 787-9

19h 40m

Seattle-Chongqing-Haikou

Hainan Airlines. Weekly 787-9

* Even if just once

** Same aircraft, same flight number

Both Of United's 2 Entries Begin In Late October

On October 24, United will begin Los Angeles-Hong Kong-Bangkok Suvarnabhumi service. The Thai capital was previously part of the Star Alliance member's network until 2014, when 747-400 and 777-200ER flights from the US mainland stopped in the carrier's Tokyo Narita hub. In the 12 months to June 2025, 1.1 million people flew US-Bangkok, with Los Angeles being the largest market.

On October 25, United will resume Los Angeles-Hong Kong-Ho Chi Minh City flights. The carrier's 747-400s served this route until 2011, after which the 737-800 operated until 2016. Between July 2024 and June 2025, 1.3 million passengers flew between Ho Chi Minh City and the US, with Los Angeles (as you might expect) being by far the largest market.

Frequency

Direction Of Route

Timings; Local

Daily

Los Angeles-Hong Hong-Bangkok

UA820: 22:55-07:00+2; UA820: 09:20-11:25

Bangkok-Hong Kong-Los Angeles

UA821: 16:55-20:45; UA821: 22:45-19:45 (same day arrival)

Daily

Los Angeles-Hong Kong-Ho Chi Minh City

UA152: 11:20-19:15+1; UA152: 21:15-22:55

Ho Chi Minh City-Hong Kong-Los Angeles

UA153: 06:00-09:35; UA153: 11:25-08:05 (same day arrival)

The return of both Asian cities to United's map comes as the carrier continues its creative long-haul network development. This was spawned amid the pandemic, when more emphasis was given to leisure-driven places, including destinations that are really popular on social media. This approach continues.

Air Canada Returns To Mumbai Via London

In 2022, the Canadian flag carrier launched fifth freedom winter service from its homeland to India via Heathrow, which was influenced by the inability to fly through Russian airspace. In winter 2022/2023 and winter 2023/2024, it flew Toronto-Heathrow-Mumbai and vice versa. In winter 2024/2025, it switched to Calgary-Delhi-Heathrow.

On October 25, in time for winter 2025/2026, Air Canada will resume Toronto-Heathrow-Mumbai flights. But while they previously operated daily, they will now run four times weekly. Heathrow-Mumbai is becoming more competitive than ever, with up to nine daily flights following IndiGo's debut and expansion by some incumbents. Air Canada's frequency reduction may mean more seats will be dedicated to the less competitive Toronto-Mumbai market.

Up To 25 Hours: The World's 10 Longest 1-Stop Boeing 787 Dreamliner Flights