Up To 14h 5m: The World Gains 2 Very Long New Airbus A330neo Routes

Later this year, the Airbus A330neo will have a new longest and a new fourth-longest nonstop flight. Operated by the rarely discussed Air Algérie, they will be from Guangzhou and Beijing Capital back to Algiers. When writing, the Algerian flag carrier is awaiting the delivery of its first A330-900.

OAG schedule analysis for October to December shows that the A330-900 will operate 95% of the world’s A330neo services. The A330-800 will operate the remaining 5%. The -800 is among the world’s rarest aircraft. Only Air Greenland, Kuwait Airways, and Uganda Airlines use it commercially.

Over 13 Hours: The A330neo’s Longest Flights From October To December

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By focusing on 13 hours or more, many flights close to that limit have been excluded. Among the long list are TAP Air Portugal from Lisbon to Los Angeles and San Francisco, Condor between Frankfurt and Bangkok, Los Cabos and Phuket, and Delta Air Lines from Lagos back to Atlanta, Tel Aviv back to New York JFK, etc.

Notice the joint-third entry: Aircalin from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to Paris CDG. This is part of a much longer route: Nouméa-Bangkok-Paris CDG. With the full service timed at up to 25h 30m, it was to be the world’s longest one-stop service by time. However, a brand-new one-stop offering, timed at up to 29h, will overtake it later this year.

Air Algérie’s 1st A330-900 Will Be Delivered Soon

Credit: Algeria Project

Earlier this year, the carrier sensibly dropped its order for A350-1000s to consolidate its widebody replacement on the A330-900. It now has eight A330-900s on order, with the first frame to be delivered soon. Its schedule submission to Cirium Diio shows 308 seats, with 18 in business, 24 in premium economy, and 266 in economy. The reality could be different.

It is due to enter service on October 27 from Algiers to Guangzhou. This is a brand-new route and will likely be in my Weekly Routes article (see the most recent edition here). New types and variants usually operate on short legs for crew training and familiarization. However, as the airline already has the A330-200, with the consequent commonality, this will be less applicable.

Its A330-900s will replace its eight remaining A330-200s, which include operational and stored frames. They average 16.3 years. The new machines’ fuel burn will be much lower, while the hard product will be much better. However, as is the case with new aircraft replacements, the ownership cost will be substantially higher.

Hang On: Algeria To China?!

Credit: GCMap

According to booking data for August 2024-July 2025, over 190,000 people flew between the two countries. Growing economic ties contribute greatly, as do investments and 40,000+ Chinese living in the North African nation. Algeria is an important country for China in terms of its Belt and Road initiative. Political reasons are undoubtedly also a factor.

Algiers-Guangzhou had over 70,000 round-trip local passengers. With 42% of the market, Qatar Airways carried the most people via its Doha hub. With 30%, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul was second. Elsewhere, Algiers-Beijing—which has been served since 2008—had 68,000. In distant third place was Shanghai, with 20,000.