Emirates begins operating the world's longest flight — for now

In the constant jockeying back and forth of airlines competing for world's longest flight, a new winner has emerged.

Emirates began service between Dubai and Auckland on Tuesday. The 8,819-mile flight from Auckland to Dubai has a scheduled duration of 17 hours and 15 minutes, making the Dubai-based carrier the operator of the world's longest flight. (Dubai to Auckland is faster, as most Eastern-bound flights are.)

Previously Qantas held the record for the longest flight, with its service from Sydney, Australia, to Dallas, Texas. The 8,578-mile journey took just 17 hours.

However, Emirates may not hold its new title for long.

Qantas is considering a nonstop flight from Auckland to London that would retake the title. And Singapore Air announced it will operate a flight from Singapore to New York, covering 9,521 miles, that could reign supreme in 2018.

Emirates' move to the top was actually expected to happen on Feb. 1. Back in August, Emirates announced a flight from Dubai to Panama City that would last 17 hours and 35 minutes, but the flight is not yet operating.

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