The Longest Nonstop Flight in the United States

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn) 05/03/2019 at 11:49 • Filed to: wingspan

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There are 50 states in the United States, but only 48 of them are collected together, or contiguous, to use a fancy word. Alaska, the 49th state, is separated from the lower 48 by Canada, and Hawaii, the last state to enter the Union, lies across nearly 2,500 miles of open Pacific ocean. The US Navy tried to fly from California to Hawaii in 1925, but one aircraft had to turn back after just 300 miles, and the other ran out of fuel 400 miles from Oahu. The crew tried to finish the journey with a sail rigged from aircraft fabric, and were finally rescued, somewhat emaciated but otherwise in good health, after a week floating in the Pacific. Two more years passed before the US Army successfully flew a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! from California to Hawaii, a feat made even more daring because the aircraft had no floats to make an emergency ditching possible.

By the 1930s, with the Golden Age of Aviation in full swing, Pan Am was flying island-hopping routes across the Pacific from San Francisco all the way to the Philippines and China, with Honolulu as a stop along the way. Their large !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! flying boats, which usually held more mail and cargo than passengers, began regularly scheduled service in October 1936. By 1939, Pan Am was making flights to Hawaii in massive !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! flying boats and carrying more and more passengers. A trip that used to take days in a ship could now be completed in a matter of hours.

Following WWII, large piston-powered airliners that had grown out of the demands of war, and later jet-powered airliners, began making flights to Hawaii from departure cities in states other than California, but they still required a stop on the west coast for fuel. But now, in an era of ultra-long range twinjet airliners, Hawaiian Airlines is offering service from Boston (BOS) to Honolulu (HNL) flying the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . The flight from the easternmost major airport in the US to the country’s westernmost state covers nearly 5,100 miles and takes about 10 hours to complete—about twice as far as the Pan Am Clippers, in about half the time. With the launch of this service, Hawaiian Airlines now claims the longest nonstop flight in the United States, a record they are not likely to relinquish, unless some other airline adds Portland or Bangor, Maine as a destination. For now, the airline is making the trip five times a week, and expects to add a sixth flight as the summer travel season picks up. So, for those lucky Northeasterners who can afford the $800-1000 ticket (or as much as $5,000 in first class) to wiggle their toes in the warm Hawaiian sand, there’s no need to stop in California, or anywhere else for that matter, along the way.

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For more stories about aviation history, aviators, and airplane oddities, visit !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

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facw > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 11:58

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Well worth the trip I think, though the only time I’ve been I flew direct from Houston, which shaved off a few hours.

lone_liberal > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 12:03

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It’s a long flight even from the PNW, but the return flight is worse. Sure it’s actually shorter in time but you’re leaving Hawaii. 

ttyymmnn > facw 05/03/2019 at 12:04

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I’ve never been. I may never make it. Too many other places I’d like to go first.

Chariotoflove > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 12:10

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It seems crazy to say this about airline fares, but a sub-$1,000 non-stop  ticket from Boston to Hawaii sounds like a good deal.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 12:16

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From boston I would just go to the Caribbean or gasp Flordia , closer and still really nice place to vayk ay.

ttyymmnn > Chariotoflove 05/03/2019 at 12:22

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Everybody thinks that air travel should be super cheap, and to be honest, I’m surprised that it’s not more expensive than it is.

ttyymmnn > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 05/03/2019 at 12:24

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I’d go to the Caribbean. Maho Beach is on my bucket list. It washed away when that big hurricane hit last year. I don’t know if it’s been restored or not. 

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 12:24

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I’m flying LAX-HNL tonight. It is a pretty easy flight from the west coast. BOS-HNL is a pretty hard sell, though. Hawaiian is my favorite airline, and I love HI, but I’m not sure if I love it enough for a 10 hour, $1000 flight. I’m thinking Puerto Rico would be the better option. On the flip side, I’ve never been to PR because it’s such a hard flight from the west coast. We have HI, Cabo, PV, etc.

Fun fact: I have a reprint of your second picture hanging in my room. I like that style of artwork.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 12:25

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Fair prices have stagnated for like the last 30 years. We expect $300 round trip tickets from FCA-SJC now days. When I few to SJC when I was a child in 1982 it was $ 275 round trip from missoula-SJC and back again on a NW Airlines 727 with a plane change in Denver .

Ash78, voting early and often > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 12:26

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Lock up your rental cars, Hawaii. Bostonians are coming. One if by land, two if by sea, three if by air.

ttyymmnn > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 05/03/2019 at 12:26

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I have a feeling that this route will be very popular with Northeasterners. You probably save at lea st 2-3 hours over a one-stop flight. Still a long time to be in a plane. Longest for me was 8.5 hours from Cincinnati to Charles de Gaulle on a 767.

Ash78, voting early and often > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 05/03/2019 at 12:27

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Yep, same logic for most of the eastern US. For Hawaii prices and travel times, I’m like “All of Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico...”

Chariotoflove > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 12:28

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Remember when we were kids and it was? In the pre-de regulation days we got meals in flight and of course free checked bags until not that long ago.

Now airplanes are almost like Greyhounds in the sky, and it’s our fault.We all look for the cheapest flights, and we’re willing to give up amenities to get them. We only take first or business when it’s a free upgrade or we have an employer willing to expense it.

facw > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 05/03/2019 at 12:31

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Note that $275 in 1982 is like $750 in today’s money when you take into account inflation. Airfare has gotten tremendously cheaper in real terms, though there has been some recent stagnation.

ttyymmnn > Chariotoflove 05/03/2019 at 12:31

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That’s why we try to drive everywhere. It’s more time, but less money, at least I think it is. I’ve never done the math, and I probably don’t want to. We’re all flying to Cali this summer for vacation. Putting 5 people on a plane is damned expensive, even when it’s a good fare. 

Chariotoflove > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 12:34

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I did the math for our Indy trip. With recent gas prices and factoring in a night in a hotel, it’s still a pretty big savings unless fares drop to around the low $200s . The key to me is having a car you can enjoy the trip in, and more importantly, making memories out of the trip.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 12:35

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That is true. I would rather have the non-stop vs a multi-hour layover in Dallas, Houston, wherever. It’s just a lot of travel time. I’m sure the route will be popular, especially if a large portion of the population has never been to Hawaii. It would just be a hard sell for me.

My longest scheduled was IAD-DBX (came from LAX with a layover in IAD). My longest time on a plane was the return trip from FRA-LAX. This was after a bad 6 hour flight from Dubai, then a 5 hour layover. We were on the tarmac for ~4 hours before taking off on the 12(?) hour flight. Of course my (former) company is cheap and wouldn’t even let me upgrade to economy plus.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Ash78, voting early and often 05/03/2019 at 12:40

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That Paul R evere reference though.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Ash78, voting early and often 05/03/2019 at 12:42

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Oddly enough Hawaii is cheaper or same from jfk than many major European hubs disputed being twice as far.  

Ash78, voting early and often > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 05/03/2019 at 12:44

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Yep, airline pricing is nuts. My job pays $600-$700 RT to fly me an hour (between two business cities), but a lot of people pay $99 RT to go from NYC to Orlando, for example. Competition plus subsidies plus varying airport taxes really make a difference.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 12:45

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I’ve flown Hawaiian a couple times and subjective but found the food and seat better than other airlines. 

For Sweden > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 12:50

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Not far enough

BOS to GUM when?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > facw 05/03/2019 at 13:06

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I nflation, I forgets sometimes.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Chariotoflove 05/03/2019 at 13:09

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I like the act of flying, but I hate both ends. Going to the airport is one of the only things that is close to giving me anxiety. Waiting for the lyft to pick me up, traffic on the way, waiting in lines, trying to be fast while going thru security, etc. Then when you land, you have to do it in reverse (minus security). It is not fun. I would much rather drive because I typically always enjoy it. It is just not super practical if I’m going further than the bay from LA. That being said, I fly all the time and I’m pretty good at it, but I hate the airport a little more with each trip. It doesn’t help that LAX is under construction and a constant s**t show in a different way than it was the previous time haha

Chariotoflove > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 05/03/2019 at 13:15

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This is me. I used to enjoy flying more. But my wheelchair requirements created additional anxiety that just ruin it for me. I’m always worried if my plane will have a closet to fit my chair. If not, I worry if it will get broken in the hold (that's happened) . Then, I always have to hold my breath to see if I’m going to have a confrontation with gate or flight personnel who don’t know the rules and will try to contest my right to put my chair on the plane. Also, I have to be hand searched at TSA every time, although the TSA folks are always as nice as possible about it.

Add all that to the usual anxiety about traffic, lines, and deadlines, and it becomes exhausting. I fly alone, but when I’m with my girls, they know the drill.  My daughter has known from an early age how it goes, and she is super helpful getting through all the steps.

ttyymmnn > Ash78, voting early and often 05/03/2019 at 13:20

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I have never understood airline pricing, nor have I ever really tried. If you fly AA from Austin, all roads lead through DFW. I thought maybe I could save money if I drove to DFW and just took one flight instead of two. Nope, same price either way. I guess it helps them to keep the planes full. 

ttyymmnn > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 05/03/2019 at 13:22

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For me, the airport is the most exc iting part. I love the hustle and bustle, the sights, the sounds. I flew a lot when I was young because my parents were divorced, and always looked forward to it. I think it’s why I an fascinated with aviation now. As the the process, I always allow tons of extra time. But that probably comes from my life as a musician, where being late means not working. I’d rather have two hours to get through parking, security, etc and have time to sit and chill than to be worried about missing a flight. 

Hamtractor > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 13:26

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My longest flights ever were LAX to Tokyo-Narita, and the return two years later Tokyo-Narita to San Fransisco. In 1993, when I left for Japan, there was still a smoking section if I remember right, but there definitely wasn’ t on the return flight. I only remember that because I boarded the plane absolutely HAMMERED after spending the entire night drinking at my going away bash with my Japanese friends and a few of my shipmates.  Nothing like being awake for your entire hangover and not being able to smoke.  I tried to drink some more just to maintain or pass out, but my liver back then had superpowers and was unwilling to cooperate with this daring plan.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Chariotoflove 05/03/2019 at 13:29

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It sounds way more stressful in a wheelchair, as I’m sure a lot of things are. I’ve heard of chairs getting broken under the plane so it is good to stand your ground and try to get it on the plane. It only takes one airline employee having a bad day to ruin your trip, though.

Logistically, how do you deal with your bag? Do you curb check or have someone help you get it through the airport? The only time I flew on crutches, it was a pita but I was able to figure something out to get the bag from the curb to the bad drop and vise-versa.

Hamtractor > Hamtractor 05/03/2019 at 13:34

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Oh, and the flight from LAX to Tokyo was preceded by my flight from Denver to LAX and a three hour layover there during which I was mugged, lol...

ttyymmnn > Hamtractor 05/03/2019 at 13:40

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Flying hungover is the absolute worst. I took an audition for the Denver Symphony about 15  years ago. I played like shit for 5 minutes then went back to my hotel and got absolutely shitfaced. The last cognizant thing I did was call Super Shuttle for the morning, arrange a wakeup call, and set my own alarm. I think I got about 2 hours sleep. When we got to the airport, it was so early that nothing was open. Couldn’t even buy a bottle of water. It was miserable.

Chariotoflove > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 05/03/2019 at 14:13

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I remember one time in Detroit long ago when I was waiting to get off, I saw a luggage guy out the window. He took my chair out of the hold and flung it like a discus into the truck. That’s when I said “never again”.

When I check, I have it on my lap and take it to the counter and check it like everyone else. But anymore, I don’t check. I have a duffel-shaped bag that I keep in my lap and just carry on. I then put it under the seat or let the crew put it overhead for me. At TSA, they hold it off to the side while they frisk me until I can pick it back up.

user314 > For Sweden 05/03/2019 at 14:41

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Hopefully not until someone invents “5th Element”-style sleep regulators.

Ash78, voting early and often > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 15:11

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I have, in some cases like what you describe, chosen the 1-stop option and come out a lot cheaper than a nonstop .

For us, it’s Delta — I can book an ATL-LON flight for maybe $750, but I can do BHM-LON (stopping in ATL for an hour) for $600.

It’s rare, but the theory is they’re giving you a discount for the hassle. But it has to be the exact right combination of unfilled seats to make it work.

ttyymmnn > Ash78, voting early and often 05/03/2019 at 15:20

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It’s rare, but the theory is they’re giving you a discount for the hassle. But it has to be the exact right combination of unfilled seats to make it work.

And that is more often luck than science.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 15:21

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I used to like it more, especially if there is good plane spotting. I definitely plan to arrive early, but no matter what, I stress about it. My stress is borderline irrational haha

That makes sense, about flying as a kid. I flew once in kindergarten and the next time I was on a plane was after HS graduation when I helped a friend’s family move. (drove a car to FL and flew home). In college I normally drove everywhere. Flexible schedule, plus fuel sipping tdi made travel affordable even for a broke college kid. I still love a road trip, though. I think it goes back to childhood, like your excitement of flying. My dad was an over the road trucker so I used to go with him for about a month every summer. While I wasn’t around my friends, that was a pretty awesome way to spend a month as a kid.

Ash78, voting early and often > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 15:23

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The only case I know where it regularly occurs is with Icelandair. They take you to Europe relatively cheaply with an “inconvenient” stop in Reykjavik, but technically they’re promoting tourism by letting people to stay there for up to a 7-day layover with no extra ticketing charge. So you can book a European trip and check out Iceland along the way. I wish more airlines would do that. I think Qatar and maybe Emirates do it.

ttyymmnn > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 05/03/2019 at 15:24

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My family has traveled all over the country,  usually in two-week shots, and we’ve driven all of it. Most of the trips average about 3,500 miles. I love the driving, and usually do all of it, and I like to see the country between where I am and where I’m going. The kids get to experience more of the US that way too. 

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Chariotoflove 05/03/2019 at 15:24

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Those baggage handlers dgaf about anything they touch. I do not blame you one bit. Duffel in your lap makes a lot of sense. In my mind, I was trying to figure out how you would do a roller on your lap. A duffel didn’t even cross my mind haha!

ttyymmnn > Ash78, voting early and often 05/03/2019 at 15:24

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Yeah, but who wants to spend a week in Cincinnati? Though I could easily spend a week in Chicago. 

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > ttyymmnn 05/03/2019 at 15:32

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It’s a shame many kids miss out on seeing the country through a road trip. Although, these days, they would probably be looking at a screen the entire time :/

Chariotoflove > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 05/03/2019 at 15:34

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I have towed a roller behind.  It doesn’t work well though.  Those things are too tippy.

ttyymmnn > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 05/03/2019 at 15:42

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My boys do spend a lot of time staring at screens, but we do have no-screen time, and I appreciate that they need something to keep them occupied. Of course, in my day, it was a book or stare out the window. But these are different times. 

BahamaTodd > Ash78, voting early and often 05/03/2019 at 15:56

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Last month I flew Air Canada from Fort Lauderdale to Shanghai with a connection in Toronto for $600 round trip. That’s a 3 hour and 15 hour segment.

Air Canada is the cheapest on that route at the moment with most other carriers coming in between $800-$1200. Many of the other carriers were sub-$1000 last year, but only Air Canada was able to maintain that pricing. Part of the reason is their 777 had a 3-4-3 seating layout in economy where its usually 3-3-3 . Add in that I had to do an overnight stay both ways I probably won’t do that again. I travel to China 2-4 times a year for work.

Ash78, voting early and often > BahamaTodd 05/03/2019 at 16:07

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Yeah, the mandatory overnight stay is almost always cheaper than the other options. Still, $600!

A customer paying a pittance and filling a seat is better than an empty seat.

Spanfeller is a twat > ttyymmnn 05/04/2019 at 11:50

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The only way to beat it would be through puerto rico

ttyymmnn > Spanfeller is a twat 05/04/2019 at 12:46

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But PR isn’t a state. 

Spanfeller is a twat > ttyymmnn 05/04/2019 at 12:58

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It would still be considered a domestic flight... no need for passports!