Los Angeles International Airport: A Hub for Long-Haul Flights
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has established itself as a major player in the long-haul flight market, second only to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in the United States. The airport ranks as the world’s tenth-busiest gateway for long-haul passenger flights, according to data from Cirium Diio, which analyzed all flights during the second half of 2025. LAX is expected to handle up to 197 daily long-haul movements, with nearly 50 different airlines operating these routes.
United Airlines leads in the number of long-haul services, but due to the large number of carriers and its San Francisco hub, it accounts for less than one in ten of these movements. This highlights the competitive nature of the market at LAX, where multiple airlines vie for dominance.
The 10 Longest Flights from Los Angeles
The list of the 10 longest flights from Los Angeles, covering the period from July to December, is organized by maximum block time. Block time includes taxiing at both airports, flight time, and a buffer for short delays. The cutoff point for inclusion is 15 hours and 30 minutes, meaning any flights under this threshold are excluded.
Singapore Airlines’ route from Los Angeles to Chiang Mai consistently tops the list. In July, the block time reaches up to 17 hours and 35 minutes, making it the fourth-longest service in the U.S. However, during the northern winter season, the block time increases to 17 hours and 50 minutes, largely due to stronger headwinds. This route remains the longest on the list year-round.
Saudia’s Jeddah-Los Angeles Route
Saudia, the Saudi Arabian flag carrier, has been serving the Jeddah-Los Angeles route since April 2014. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, between 2014 and March 2025, the airline transported 527,000 round-trip passengers. However, only 64% of available seats were filled, indicating poor load factors. This was not driven by commercial considerations but rather by other factors.
Between January 2024 and March 2025, Saudia carried 51,000 passengers, with a 70% seat fill rate. However, three months saw less than 55% occupancy, prompting the airline to suspend the route temporarily. Booking data suggests that many passengers traveled only between Jeddah and Los Angeles, which may explain the low occupancy. Cairo, Riyadh, Mumbai, Dhaka, and Karachi were the most popular connecting markets.
The Boeing 777-300ER has operated all long-haul flights on this route. Initially, the frequency was three weekly flights, and it remained the same after 11 years. However, there were periods in 2018 and 2019 when the frequency increased to five weekly flights.
United Airlines’ Longest Nonstop Flight
United Airlines previously operated a nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Singapore using the Boeing 787-9. Between October 2017 and October 2018, the flight was scheduled for up to 17 hours and 55 minutes, slightly longer than Singapore Airlines’ service in the second half of 2025. This made it the longest nonstop passenger service from Los Angeles over the past decade.
United eventually discontinued the route to focus more on its Pacific hub in San Francisco, where it believed it could better compete. After the change, frequencies increased from daily to two daily flights, helping improve competitiveness and market share. Two daily flights continue to operate today.
