Why Would Anyone Want to Sit on a Plane for Over 18 Hours?

An economist takes the world’s longest flight

Qantas plans to test a 19-hour flight with employees only on board to ensure the flights are safe and comfortable enough for customers. Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Recently Qantas announced plans to conduct test flights from New York and London to Sydney and two other Australian cities.

If commercialized, these routes would become the longest in the world at about 19 hours. Qantas said it will conduct test flights with only employees on board to ensure the flights are safe and comfortable enough for paying customers.