Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines is one of the largest carriers in the world. With a fleet of nearly 1,000 aircraft, the airline has an exceptionally large domestic and international network. With many of its routes taking place within the US, Delta operates some of the longest domestic flights of any other US-based airline. These flights are operated by both widebody and narrowbody aircraft.

While some routes journey over the Pacific Ocean, others cross over land for the entire duration. Additionally, some flights are offered year-round, while other routes only operate seasonally, taking their rank as Delta’s longest domestic route for only a short period throughout the year. All aircraft operating the routes are equipped with first class or Delta One – the carrier’s most premium product – featuring lie-flat beds, which, understandably, make the journey a bit more comfortable.

According to aviation data and analytics firm Cirium, the top five longest domestic routes Delta operates originate from four of its nine US hubs:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP)

Four of the longest routes involve Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu, Hawaii, with Delta deploying its Airbus A330-300s and Boeing 767-300ERs.

1 New York – Honolulu

4,983 miles

The journey between JFK and HNL is the airline’s longest domestic route at nearly 5,000 miles each way. The 767-300ER is utilized on this route, operating daily. The HNL-bound flight, DL268, leaves JFK at around 10:30 and arrives just after 15:00, accounting for a nearly 10-hour and 40-minute flight. The return flight, DL190, departs just after 17:00 and arrives back in the Big Apple the next morning at 9:00.

Since the eastbound flight does not encounter expected headwinds, the duration is shorter, lasting just under 10 hours. This domestic route is undoubtedly lengthy, considering it is longer than some international flights Delta operates across the pond. The JFK-HNL service is operated year-round.

2 Atlanta – Honolulu

4,502 miles

At just over 4,502 miles, the flight between ATL and HNL is Delta’s second-longest domestic route. This service is also operated daily on a year-round basis. However, the aircraft deployed this month is the A330-300. The plane accommodates 66 more passengers than the 767-300ER (“76K” seating configuration), meaning capacity is significantly larger on the route.

Throughout the month, Delta has a total of 8,742 seats scheduled each way between ATL and HNL, while 6,696 are scheduled each way between JFK and HNL. The difference in equipment could point to consistent higher demand from Atlanta, or it is simply where the aircraft is based. The majority of Delta’s 767-300ERs from the northeast operate routes to Europe if not deployed on the regular domestic route between New York and Los Angeles.

3 Detroit – Honolulu

4,475 miles

The nonstop service between DTW and HNL is a close second after ATL-HNL. This particular route covers just over 4,470 miles and operates daily. Interestingly, it is operated by the 767-300ER but has slightly more capacity than the JFK-HNL route. According to Cirium, the specific 767-300ER scheduled between DTW and HNL this month is the “76Z,” which accommodates 226 passengers – 10 more than the 76K’s accommodation of 216.

This means that Delta will over a total of 7,006 seats each way on the route. Similar to the other two transpacific routes, the HNL-bound flight will arrive in the late afternoon after an early afternoon departure from DTW. The return flight lands the next day at around 6:00 after a red-eye journey from HNL beginning at 15:20.

4 Minneapolis–St. Paul – Honolulu

3,972 miles

The MSP-HNL route, Delta’s fourth-longest domestic route, will have the same frequencies and aircraft type throughout the month. The once-daily year-round service encompasses a total of 13,392 seats – 6,696 in each direction. Delta is also the sole carrier serving this route, whereas Hawaiian Airlines also operates flights to JFK.

The HNL-bound flight takes about eight and a half hours and arrives just after 15:00. The MSP-bound flight arrives the following morning at 05:30 after a seven-hour and 55-minute journey. On both the 76K and 76Z seating layout, 26 passengers can enjoy their trip in lie-flat seats in Delta One.

5 Atlanta – Anchorage

3,416 miles

Delta’s fifth-longest domestic route is the only flight that does not cross over water for an extended period of time. The journey between ATL and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) in Alaska crosses just over 3,400 miles each way. This service is seasonal and resumed on May 23rd.

The flights will operate daily through September 8th. Throughout this month, Delta has a total of 11,580 seats scheduled on the route. The ANC-bound flight leaves ATL around 16:00 and arrives just after 19:00, resulting in a more than seven-hour journey. The return flight, a red-eye, departs ANC at around 20:20 and lands the next morning just before 07:20.

Have you flown any of these routes? Let us know by leaving a comment below.