Recent data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, highlights the longest domestic flights operated by the major US airlines—American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. These flights connect the continental United States with the distant island state of Hawaii, resulting in journeys exceeding 4,000 miles. The longest routes originate from the east coast, with each airline offering unique service to this popular destination.
American Airlines Leads with Chicago to Honolulu
American Airlines operates the longest domestic route within its fleet, connecting Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Honolulu (HNL). This flight, which spans a remarkable 4,244 miles (6,830 km), is scheduled daily using Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. Passengers can anticipate a block time of approximately nine hours and 14 minutes. Flight AA75 departs Chicago at 10:00 am and arrives in Honolulu at 3:14 pm local time. The return flight, AA74, is an overnight journey that takes about eight hours, leaving Honolulu at 7:00 pm and landing back in Chicago at 7:00 am the following day.
American Airlines emphasizes the significance of its O’Hare hub, stating, “O’Hare has always been a vital hub for American, connecting the Midwest to our global network and bringing travelers from across the world to Chicago for business and pleasure.”
Delta Air Lines Offers New York to Honolulu Connection
Delta Air Lines ranks second with its longest domestic flight from New York John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Honolulu, covering an impressive 4,983 miles (8,019 km). This route is particularly notable for its frequency; Delta operates five nonstop flights during the first week of December, reducing to four in the second week before resuming daily service from December 18. Most flights utilize the Boeing 767-300ER, accommodating 216 passengers, while a 282-seat Airbus A330-300 was recently used for one rotation.
The westbound flight, DL636, departs JFK at 9:55 am and arrives in Honolulu at 4:08 pm, with a total block time of 11 hours and 13 minutes. The return flight, DL650, has a planned block time of nine hours and 55 minutes, departing Honolulu at 5:15 pm and arriving in New York at 8:10 am the next day.
United Airlines Connects Newark to Honolulu
United Airlines competes closely with Delta, offering its own service from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Honolulu. This route stretches 4,962 miles and utilizes the Boeing 767-400ER, which has a seating capacity of 231, including 34 Polaris business class seats. The westbound flight, UA363, shares the same block time of 11 hours and 13 minutes as Delta’s service, departing Newark at 8:00 am and landing in Honolulu at 2:13 pm.
The return journey, UA364, takes approximately nine hours and 35 minutes, with a departure time of 3:45 pm from Honolulu and an arrival time of 6:20 am the next day. United currently operates this route five times a week, with plans to increase to daily service starting December 18.
The expansion of these transcontinental routes underscores the growing demand for travel to Hawaii, particularly during the holiday season. With significant distances involved, each airline continues to enhance its offerings to meet passenger needs while connecting major US cities to one of the most sought-after travel destinations.
