Airbus A380 makes world’s longest flight from Dubai to Auckland

An Emirates Airbus A380 has made the world’s longest-distance non-stop flight with a trip from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Auckland in New Zealand.

The plane touched down in Auckland on Wednesday after journeying 14,200 kilometers (8,824 miles) from Dubai.

The return route will also be the longest in duration, with passengers slated to spend 17 hours 15 minutes in the air during the return leg from Auckland to Dubai, industry website airwaysnews.com said.

However, the record is scheduled to be short-lived because Emirates’ forthcoming Dubai-Panama City flight will take 17 hours 35 minutes when it launches later this month.

The inaugural Dubai-Auckland flight was carried out using an A380 aircraft but the regular service will be made using the Boeing 777.

“With the assistance of clever technology and good planning, passengers will get to their destination in the shortest possible time,” Emirates has said.

According to New Zealand Transport Minister Simon Bridges, the non-stop service, which reduces current Dubai-Auckland travel time by three hours, enhances ties between Abu Dhabi and Wellington, and improves New Zealand’s connectivity to the other countries.

“Direct flights will encourage even more trade and tourism between our two countries by offering more choice to passengers and freight customers,” Bridges said.