For this week’s edition of “Longest Flight By [Insert Aircraft Type]”, we have the longest scheduled 777-300ER service, operated by Philippines Airlines as PR127 from New York’ John F. Kennedy International Airport to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Flights on this route can easily exceed 16 hours, especially in the fall and winter with extremely strong headwinds. However, this is not the longest route operated exclusively by the 777-300ER, as PR126/127 is also flown with the A350-900. That honor goes to Saudia’s SV41/42, operatee between Jeddah and Los Angeles. Without further ado, here’s the flight:
Server: Solo
Airline: Philippines Airlines
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Route: KJFK-RPLL
Seat: 6A (Mabuhay)
Time En Route: 15 Hours 51 Minutes
Our ride for the day parked at Terminal 1. PR127 normally leaves at around 1:40 AM, but due to a delay, we’re leaving some 5 hours later.
Holding short of the runway to start Engine #1
Few things are more impressive than a heavy, max-thrust GE90-115B takeoff! Those engines are putting out 115,000 pounds of thrust for a total of 230,000 pounds, generating exhaust velocities approaching 500 miles per hour, over 3 times that of a Category 5 hurricane!
Over the Arctic Ocean, north of Alaska
Passing Osaka-Kansai International (rectangle to the top right) and Kobe (small rectangle almost obscured by the engine) at 36,000 feet
Beginning what turned out to be a very rocky final descent into Manila
After almost 16 hours of flying, we’re finally in the Philippines!
Parked at Terminal 1 and the ground crew is wasting no time in getting this jet turned arouns for its next flight, this time to Los Angeles