A long-haul flight is a flight that lasts more than seven hours. These flights are usually international flights, but the definition of what constitutes a long-haul flight can vary depending on the airline or airport. For example, Hong Kong International Airport considers destinations in North and South Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Southwest Pacific, and the Indian Subcontinent long-haul, while all others are short-haul. Similarly, American Airlines defines short-/medium-haul flights as being less than 3,000 mi (2,600 nmi; 4,800 km) and long-haul as either being more than 3,000 mi (2,600 nmi; 4,800 km) or being the New York–Los Angeles and New York–San Francisco routes.
The difference between short-haul, medium-haul, and long-haul flights is based on the duration of the flight. A short-haul flight is up to three hours in duration, a medium-haul flight lasts between three and six hours, and a long-haul flight lasts for more than seven hours. Ultra-long-haul flights are those that last for over 12 hours.
Long-haul flights can be tiring and uncomfortable due to the length of the flight, and passengers may experience dehydration, fatigue, and other discomforts. However, there are ways to make long-haul flights more comfortable, such as wearing comfortable clothing, staying hydrated, and getting up to stretch and move around during the flight.
