The Problem With Ultra Long-Haul Flights Airlines Don’t Talk About

Ultra-long-haul routes are some of the most exciting announcements that an airline can make, since they connect far-flung cities that have never seen nonstop service before and push the boundaries of aircraft capabilities. In recent years, there’s been a notable explosion in the number of new ultra-long-haul routes, which has coincided with deliveries of the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787. These planes aren’t necessarily more capable than older aircraft (aircraft range earlier peaked with the Airbus A340-500 and Boeing 777-200LR), but they are far more economical than anything before them.