American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines are set to expand their international long-haul services significantly in November and December 2024. According to data from Cirium Diio, these three major carriers will collectively operate 278 daily international long-haul departures, an increase from 258 in the same months last year. United Airlines is leading the way with 45% of these services, followed by Delta at 31% and American at 24%.
This uptick reflects a slight growth in long-haul services across all three airlines, with United notably increasing its operations by 13% year-over-year. However, this surge raises concerns about capacity, particularly as November is typically a slower month for travel to Northern Hemisphere destinations.
Longest Nonstop Flights This Season
In terms of flight duration, the airlines have established some of the longest nonstop routes available. These routes feature a block time of at least 16 hours 15 minutes, which includes taxi times, in-flight duration, and buffer periods for short delays. Notably, the following flights stand out for their length:
– 17h 40m: San Francisco to Singapore on United (Two daily flights, Boeing 787-9)
– 17h 35m: Houston Intercontinental to Sydney on United (Daily flight, Boeing 787-9)
– 17h 10m: Delhi back to Newark on United (Daily flight, Boeing 787-9)
– 17h 00m: Johannesburg back to Atlanta on Delta (Five weekly flights, Airbus A350-900)
– 16h 50m: Dallas/Fort Worth to Brisbane on American (Six weekly to daily flights, Boeing 787-9)
While all three airlines are ramping up their long-haul capacities, United and Delta are establishing themselves with longer nonstop options compared to American Airlines.
American’s longest nonstop flight, from Dallas to Brisbane, clocks in at 16h 50m. Despite being a substantial ultra-long-haul service, it ranks behind routes to Melbourne and Sydney, which are served by Qantas, a close partner in the one world alliance. American’s service to Brisbane commenced in October 2024, achieving a load factor of 73% between its launch and May 2025.
New Routes and Future Prospects
Additional notable flights that did not meet the 16h 15m threshold include several new services to Australia. Delta is launching a route from Los Angeles to Melbourne, while United is introducing flights from Los Angeles to Melbourne and San Francisco to Adelaide. The Melbourne route will be served by Delta’s high-premium Airbus A350-900 three times a week, marking a significant expansion into Australia for the airline.
On December 11, 2024, United will commence its first-ever flight from the US to Adelaide, operating three times a week from its San Francisco hub on the Boeing 787-9. This new service reflects the airline’s commitment to expanding its international reach, particularly in markets that show strong demand and potential for growth.
As the competition among the Big Three intensifies, travelers can expect a wider array of nonstop options, even if some flights may struggle with capacity and demand in the months ahead. The growing number of long-haul flights underscores the airlines’ efforts to capture market share while navigating the complexities of international travel.
