16 hours, 10 time zones, no regrets: How to fly ultra-long-haul without losing your mind

USA Today

11-04-2025

16 hours, 10 time zones, no regrets: How to fly ultra-long-haul without losing your mind
Show Caption
Hide Caption
The myth of travel hacks, debunked
There's no secret formula for cheap flights. Here's the truth about travel "hacks."
Cruising Altitude
Prioritize comfort and reliability over price or loyalty programs for ultra-long-haul flights.
Choose reputable airlines known for long-haul flights and consider upgrading your seat.
Opt for newer aircraft like the Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 for better air quality and lower noise levels.
Consider a stopover to break up the journey and minimize jet lag.
The flight between Doha, Qatar, and Auckland, New Zealand, is one of the longest in the world – a seemingly never-ending journey that crosses 10 time zones in 16 hours.
How do you choose the right airline for an ultra-long-haul flight like that?
It's not an abstract question. One of this year's big travel trends is detour destinations – visiting faraway places like Japan, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. To get there from the U.S., you'll spend 12 hours or more on a plane.
Check out Elliott Confidential, the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone!
'You'll want to consider an airline that specializes in long-haul flights,' said William Rankin, an aviation expert at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla. 'You will likely encounter fewer problems and have a more enjoyable experience.'
The effects of long-distance air travel are well-documented and include lower blood oxygen levels, dehydration, jet lag, and the risk of a blood clot. So how do you find an airline that won't leave you exhausted and irritated?
The expert advice is surprisingly contrarian.
The rules for long-haul travel are different from those for flying domestically or even on shorter segments to Europe or Hawaii. Among other things, you'll need to prioritize comfort and reliability over price or loyalty points. I survived my flight from Doha to Auckland, and I learned a thing or two about ultra-long-distance travel. I'll tell you about that in a moment.
Make your journey safer and smarter: Sign up for USA TODAY's Travel newsletter.
Experts: Comfort is a priority
You might be tempted to book an airline that will help you maximize your miles. But consider my trip to New Zealand. To collect points on one of my preferred U.S. airlines, I would have had to fly through another city, more than doubling my travel time with a stopover in Hong Kong or Shenzhen.
"With the loyalty points and airline status, some consumers are married to their airlines and are less flexible to change things up even when a particular airline is known to deliver a five-star experience," said Susan Sherren, who runs the travel agency Couture Trips. "Cost is also a motivating force."
Sherren advises spending a little more and worrying less about the miles when you're dealing with an ultra-long-haul flight.
▶ Book a reputable airline: This was a tough lesson for me, but I learned it when I booked a cheap flight from Madrid to Buenos Aires on a no-name carrier a few years ago. I spent 13 hours with almost no personal space and almost no service. I'm still working through the trauma.
Thierry Antinori, the chief commercial officer at Qatar Airways, said you have to do your research before you book. Consult sources like Airline Ratings or Skytrax for guidance. "Look for one of the top-rated airlines for the most comfort," he told me.
And what are the top-rated airlines? I have a personal shortlist of airlines that are safe for long distances. It includes Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, the Gulf carriers (Emirates, Etihad, Qatar), the major Japanese airlines (ANA and Japan Airlines), Korean Air, Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
▶ Avoid the cheap seats: If you book the right airline, you also need the right seat. Kat Shortsleeve, founder of the boutique travel company Shortsleeve Travel, recommends splurging for a bigger seat.
"For a 12-plus hour flight, seat pitch and width make a big difference," she said. "Airlines with upgraded premium economy or lie-flat seats are worth it for these long journeys."
▶ New planes = better experience: There's one more thing before you book. Check the type of plane, which will be listed online when you make the reservation. Newer aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 are designed with passenger well-being in mind, and they often offer better air quality and lower noise levels, according to experts.
Joe Cronin recently decided to spend a little more in order to fly with ANA from New York to Tokyo. Cronin, a frequent flier who runs an air ambulance service, said it made a noticeable difference in post-flight recovery. "I felt much better after I landed," he said.
How I survived 16 hours on a plane
Ultra-long-distance flying is hard. Even if you can stay hydrated and get enough sleep, you have to deal with the aftermath – jet lag, including extreme fatigue and difficulty sleeping at night – and the possibility of catching a cold.
My trip started in Istanbul, so I only had a few choices. I could go for the cheapest flight, connecting through China with several lengthy stopovers. Or I could fly through the Middle East on one of the Gulf carriers.
My choice came down to Emirates or Qatar Airways. Both have an excellent reputation for customer service and treat all of their passengers well, even if you're in economy class.
I chose Qatar Airways because I had already flown the carrier on an ultra-long-haul flight in economy class from Doha to Cape Town, South Africa, and I was surprised by how comfortable it was. I had enough room for my long legs and the food was tasty.
The Qatar flight checked a lot of boxes. It was a nonstop flight on a new Airbus A350-1000. And I was lucky to snag an upgrade to Qatar's business class, Qsuites, and passes to its new Louis Vuitton lounge.
To offset the stress of a long trip, I booked two nights through Qatar Airways' stopover program at the Crowne Plaza. I spent two days decompressing in Doha, visiting the museums, malls and riding the Doha Metro, which is probably the best mass transit system in the world.
The flight was practically flawless. I had a strong Internet connection over most of the Indian Ocean, so I could get some work done. But the highlight for me was the soft pajamas they issue to their Qsuite passengers. Put them on, set your seat on "lie-flat," and you can actually sleep on the plane.
I'd like to say that I arrived in Auckland refreshed and ready for work, but I was still tired and jet-lagged after lying in a pressurized aluminum tube all day. But it could have been so much worse. I remember stumbling off the plane after that cheap flight to Argentina when I felt like I'd participated in a sleep deprivation experiment.
This time, I avoided getting sick, and it took only a few days to bounce back. If I have to fly 16 hours again, this is the best way to do it.
Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at [e-mail].