Asia is a huge region that houses a sizable part of the world’s population. Although several Asian countries have large rail networks (including Japan, China, and India), flying is typically the only realistic alternative for international travel.
This has resulted in the formation of numerous long-distance routes across the continent, some of which are more than 4,000 miles long.
Using data from Cirium, an aviation analytics business, what are the longest routes in Asia in 2025, and which airlines fly them?
Uzbekistan Airways
Tashkent (TAS) – Jakarta (CGK)
The fourth-longest route is 4,027 miles long, connecting Tashkent International Airport (TAS) in Uzbekistan with Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Indonesia. Between January 2025 and November 2025, Uzbekistan Airways will operate this service once a week with a Boeing 787-8.
Uzbekistan Airways acquired their first Boeing 787-8 in August 2016, and currently operates six of the aircraft, with three more on order. Each of the carrier’s 787-8s can carry up to 270 passengers in a two-class configuration, with 24 in business class and 246 in economy.
Uzbekistan Airways launched operations in May 1992, with a fleet of Ukrainian and Russian-built aircraft, as well as two Airbus A310s. The carrier eventually received a Boeing 757-200 and two 767-300ERs to boost its long-haul fleet. The airline retired the last of its elderly Airbus A310s in July 2013.
Uzbekistan Airways now has a modern fleet of 35 passenger aircraft. According to the most recent statistics from ch-aviation, the carrier’s fleet is now comprised of the following aircraft:
- Airbus A320 x 10
- Airbus A320neo x 3
- Airbus A321LR x 5
- Boeing 757-200 x 4
- Boeing 767-300ER x 7
- Boeing 787-8 x 6
Further fleet expansion is envisaged in the coming years as the carrier receives seven more Airbus A320neos and four A321neos. Aside from Jakarta, Uzbekistan Airways’ other long-haul destinations include Frankfurt (FRA), New York (JFK), Seoul (ICN), Milan (MXP), and Rome (FCO), with service to the Spanish capital Madrid (MAD) returning in March 2025.
The carrier also has a large domestic network with services to several cities throughout Russia, including Moscow (DME and VKO), Saint Petersburg (LED), Sochi (AER), Kaliningrad (KGD), and Vladivostok (VVO).
In December 2024, Uzbekistan Airways began direct flights between Tashkent and Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) on the Chinese island of Sanya. The once-weekly route, operated by the carrier’s Airbus A321LR aircraft, serves visitors seeking to escape the chilly Uzbek winter by flying to China’s warm Hainan island.
Japan Airlines
Tokyo Narita (NRT) – Bengaluru (BLR)
Japan Airlines flies 4,168 miles from Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) to Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport (BLR). Between January and November 2025, the carrier will fly 305 flights in each direction on the route, using both Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft.
Japan Airlines has 23 Boeing 787-8s and 22 787-9s in its fleet, with an additional 10 on order. The table below compares the carrier’s 787 fleet based on passenger capacity:
| Aircraft | Business class | Premium economy | Economy class | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 787-8* | 30 | – | 156 | 186 |
| Boeing 787-9 | 44 | 35 | 116 | 195 |
*international configuration
Japan Airlines is the only carrier that flies between Tokyo and Bengaluru. In India, the airline also serves Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) from its hub in Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND), competing with All Nippon Airways. Air India also connects the two cities, with flights to and from Tokyo Narita Airport.
In November 2024, Japan Airlines announced a broad codeshare agreement with IndiGo, enabling expanded travel choices and connections across both countries, as depicted in the map below.
At the time of the announcement, Japan Airlines’ Senior Vice President for Route Marketing, Ross Leggett, celebrated the collaboration, saying,
“We are thrilled to announce our new codeshare partnership with IndiGo, the airline with the largest domestic network in India, renowned for its high-quality service. This partnership will enable travelers between India and Japan to book their flights on a single ticket, enjoying the exceptional services of both IndiGo and Japan Airlines. India has seen remarkable economic growth in recent years, which is leading to a significant increase in air travel demand between Japan and India.”
All Nippon Airways
Tokyo Narita (NRT) – Mumbai (BOM)
From January to November 2025, All Nippon Airways will operate 283 flights in each direction between Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) and Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM). This is Asia’s second-longest route, covering 4,224 miles, and the Star Alliance carrier uses its Boeing 787-9 to fly between the two cities.
All Nippon Airways now has 34 Boeing 787-9s in its fleet, each capable of carrying between 184 and 303 people, depending on configuration. The carrier’s premium-heavy international passenger arrangement includes 32 in business class, 14 in premium economy, and 138 in economy class.
All Nippon Airways is the sole airline that flies between Mumbai and either of Tokyo’s principal airports. All Nippon Airways also has flights to Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) from its hub at Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND).
SriLankan Airlines
Colombo (CMB) – Tokyo Narita (NRT)
The longest route in Asia is also the third to reach Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT). SriLankan Airlines flies 4,286 miles between the Japanese city and its hub, Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
SriLankan Airlines uses its Airbus A330-300s on the route, with 191 flights scheduled in each way between January and November 2025. The carrier received its first A330-300 in 2014, replacing the aged A340-300s that had previously flown long-haul routes.
Today, the oneworld member’s fleet includes seven Airbus A330-300s, each capable of carrying up to 297 passengers in a two-class configuration – 28 in business class and 269 in economy class. The carrier also runs two slightly smaller A330-200s.
SriLankan Airlines’ eastbound flights from Colombo to Tokyo Narita have a scheduled block time of slightly over eight hours, whilst the westbound sector takes nine hours and forty minutes. SriLankan Airlines also serves Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) from other locations in East Asia. Meanwhile, the carrier’s other long-haul destinations include:
- London Heathrow (LHR)
- Melbourne (MEL)
- Sydney (SYD)
- Paris (CDG)
- Frankfurt (FRA).
In August 2024, SriLankan Airlines released a new safety film emphasizing the beauty of Sri Lanka:
Only one month later, SriLankan Airlines was crowned the Leading International Airline in South Asia by the South Asian Travel Awards. Fawzan Fareid, the carrier’s Regional Manager for India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, commented on the achievement.
“We are honoured to be recognized as a leader in the region by our valued customers. South Asia is integral to our network, and SriLankan Airlines spares no effort in providing seamless connections between the region and the world, while delivering our renowned Sri Lankan hospitality onboard, along with meals and entertainment thoughtfully tailored to suit localised preferences. I would like to dedicate this award to all the teams overseeing South Asia for their unwavering commitment to serve our customers.”
The four longest routes in Asia are summarized in the table below:
| Route | Distance | Airline | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tashkent (TAS) – Jakarta (CGK) | 4,027 miles | Uzbekistan Airways | Boeing 787-8 |
| Tokyo Narita (NRT) – Bengaluru (BLR) | 4,168 miles | Japan Airlines | Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-9 |
| Tokyo Narita (NRT) – Mumbai (BOM) | 4,224 miles | All Nippon Airways | Boeing 787-9 |
| Colombo (CMB) – Tokyo Narita (NRT) | 4,286 miles | SriLankan Airlines | Airbus A330-300 |
FAQ
Which airlines operate the longest flights in Asia?
Several airlines operate the longest routes in Asia, including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Japan Airlines. These carriers offer ultra-long-haul flights connecting major cities across Asia and beyond.
What is the longest flight route operated by Singapore Airlines?
Singapore Airlines operates one of the longest flights in the world, with its Singapore to New York route, covering a distance of approximately 9,500 miles (15,300 kilometers), taking around 18-19 hours.
Which airlines connect Asia with the US on the longest nonstop routes?
Airlines like Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Emirates operate some of the longest nonstop flights between Asia and the United States. Notable routes include Singapore to New York, Doha to Los Angeles, and Dubai to Los Angeles.
How long are the longest flights from Asia to Europe?
The longest flights from Asia to Europe are typically operated by airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines. Routes such as Doha to London and Dubai to London span over 3,300 miles and typically take 7 to 8 hours.
Why do these airlines operate such long routes?
These airlines operate long routes to serve the demand for non-stop connections between major international cities. The advancements in aircraft technology, like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, have made these long flights more feasible and efficient.
