Longest non-stop flights in the world: Singapore to New York and Sydney to London

Qantas has revealed plans to operate the world's longest-duration commercial flight by the end of 2025, ferrying passengers between Sydney and London on Airbus A350 aircraft in a little more than 19 hours.

Only a handful of airlines currently fly non-stop over such vast distances, which presents a number of challenges, including the capability of planes, commercial viability and even the health of crew and passengers.

Singapore to New York: 18 hours and 40 minutes

Singapore Airlines flight SQ24 to New York's John F Kennedy International airport is currently the longest commercial journey in the world, taking passengers more than 15,000 kilometres from the city-state to the eastern US cityUS on Airbus A350-900s.

The airline also operates the world's second-longest journey. Flight SQ22 to Newark in the US state of New Jersey is scheduled at 18 hours and 25 minutes.

Darwin to London: 17 hours and 55 minutes

The longest flight currently operated by Qantas, QF9, connects Darwin in northern Australia to London daily, with passengers covering almost 14,000km on Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

The flights were originally operated between London and the western city of Perth, but were moved to Darwin because of Covid-linked travel restrictions in Australia. Qantas has said it will resume the Perth to London route this year.

Los Angeles to Singapore: more than 17 hours

Singapore Airlines Flight SQ35 takes passengers more than 14,000kms over the Pacific Ocean from Los Angeles on the west coast of the US to the Asian city-state in 17 hours and 10 minutes.

The carrier's San Francisco to Singapore flight is scheduled at 16 hours and 40 minutes.

New York to Hong Kong: 17 hours

Cathay Pacific said in March that it was planning to alter its New York to Hong Kong route to fly over the Atlantic, instead of the Pacific Ocean, making it a longer journey than Singapore Airlines's flight SQ24 to JFK.

The flight path will cover "just under 9,000 nautical miles" or 16,668 kilometres in 16 to 17 hours, the airline said.

Cathay Pacific said the decision was taken because "strong seasonal tailwinds" made the new route more favourable.

The world’s 38 most-anticipated luxury hotels still to open in 2022 – in pictures:

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Longest non-stop flights in the world: Singapore to New York and Sydney to London

As Qantas announces plans to launch a 19-hour flight in 2025, here's a look at the airlines currently operating the longest haul flights

Singapore to New York: 18 hours and 40 minutes

Darwin to London: 17 hours and 55 minutes

Los Angeles to Singapore: more than 17 hours

New York to Hong Kong: 17 hours

The world’s 38 most-anticipated luxury hotels still to open in 2022 – in pictures:

Company%20Profile

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026