Longest Flight From Atlanta: Your Guide to Nonstop Ultra-Long Routes from ATL

If you live in metro Atlanta or you’re flying through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), you have access to some of the longest nonstop flights in the world. Atlanta is Delta’s largest hub, which means you can reach far‑flung destinations without changing planes—even on flights that stretch well beyond 12 hours.

This guide focuses on the longest flights from Atlanta, how long they actually take, what routes are typically available, and what to expect if you’re preparing for one of these ultra-long journeys.

The Longest Nonstop Flights From Atlanta Right Now

Exact flight offerings change over time, but Atlanta consistently has several very long international routes. These are typical examples of some of the longest nonstop flights from ATL:

*Times are approximate and can vary with direction, winds, aircraft type, and schedule changes.

Key takeaway:
At many points in recent years, Atlanta–Johannesburg has been among the longest nonstop flights you can take from ATL, often running around 15–16 hours in one direction.

Where the Longest Atlanta Flights Go

1. Atlanta to Johannesburg, South Africa (JNB)

For travelers in Georgia, the nonstop flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg is often the single longest route available.

• Distance: Roughly 8,400+ miles
• Typical duration: Around 15–16 hours nonstop
• Aircraft: Often a long-haul widebody (for example, an Airbus A350 or similar)

This flight is a major link between the Southeastern United States and Southern Africa, used by:

• Leisure travelers heading to safari regions or Cape Town (via connections)
• Business travelers working with South African companies or regional offices
• Friends and family visiting long-term residents abroad

For Atlantans, the appeal is that you can board at ATL and step off in South Africa without a connection in New York, Europe, or the Middle East.

2. Atlanta to Tel Aviv, Israel (TLV)

Another very long route from ATL is the nonstop flight to Tel Aviv.

• Typical duration: About 12–13 hours
• Often used by:
  • Travelers visiting Israel for tourism or religious trips
  • Business travelers connecting Atlanta’s corporate base with tech and financial firms in Israel
  • Friends and family visits for Georgia’s Jewish and Israeli communities

This route gives many Atlanta-area travelers a single-hop option to the Eastern Mediterranean and easy onward connections.

3. Atlanta to East Asia (Seoul and Tokyo)

Two more ultra-long flights from ATL connect Georgia directly with East Asia:

Atlanta – Seoul (ICN)

• Approx. 14–15 hours
• Major hub for connections throughout South Korea, Japan, China, and Southeast Asia
• Popular with Atlantans working in manufacturing, tech, and automotive industries with links to Korea and the broader region

Atlanta – Tokyo (HND or NRT)

• Approx. 13–14 hours
• Key for business and leisure traffic to Japan and onward connections across the Asia–Pacific region

For metro Atlanta residents, these routes cut out extra stops on the West Coast or in Europe and make it realistically possible to leave ATL and arrive in East Asia the next calendar day.

How to Find the Longest Flights From Atlanta Today

Because airlines adjust schedules and launch or suspend routes over time, the exact “longest flight from Atlanta” can shift. To see what’s operating right now:

1. Use the official ATL airport site or app
   • Search for international departures by destination.
2. Check airline websites directly (for example, Delta from its ATL hub)
   • Filter by “nonstop only” and sort by flight duration if the tool allows.
3. Look at flexible date calendars
   • Longest routes may not operate daily; some run certain days of the week only.

When searching, include both ATL and full destination names (e.g., “Johannesburg (JNB)” or “Seoul (ICN)”) to avoid confusion with codes that look similar.

What It’s Like to Take One of Atlanta’s Longest Flights

Flight length vs. travel day length

A 15–16 hour flight from Atlanta might mean a 20+ hour total travel day once you factor in:

• Getting to ATL (I‑75, MARTA, rideshare, or parking shuttles)
• Check-in and security (often 2–3 hours early for international)
• Taxi time before takeoff and after landing
• Immigration, customs, and baggage claim at destination

This is important if you’re planning around work schedules, hotel check-in times, and jet lag.

When to arrive at Hartsfield–Jackson for an ultra-long flight

For one of Atlanta’s longest international flights, most airlines encourage you to:

• Arrive at least 3 hours before departure
• Add extra buffer during:
  • Busy holiday periods
  • Major conventions or sporting events in Atlanta
  • Early evening “bank” of international departures

ATL International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal – Concourse F) generally handles many of these long-haul flights. Some may also depart from Concourse E depending on the airline and schedule.

Tips for handling very long flights from Atlanta

A 14–16 hour nonstop can feel very different from a 5–6 hour domestic flight. Common strategies ATL travelers use:

• Choose seats carefully
  • Aisle seats for easier movement
  • Window seats if you plan to sleep and don’t want to be disturbed
• Break the time into blocks
  • For example: 3 hours of movies, 4 hours of sleep, 2 hours of reading, etc.
• Pack a small “seat kit”
  • Earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones
  • Light layers or a sweater (cabins can feel cool)
  • Basic toiletries in your personal item (travel-sized toothbrush, lip balm, etc.)
• Consider meal timing
  • You can often see the planned meal service schedule during check-in or by asking crew on board, which helps you decide when to eat vs. when to sleep.

Connecting From Other Georgia Cities to Atlanta’s Longest Flights

Not everyone boards these long-haul flights directly from Atlanta. Many travelers:

• Drive from Athens, Macon, Columbus, Augusta, Savannah, or Chattanooga
• Take short regional flights into ATL before their nonstop long-haul

If you’re connecting into Atlanta, pay attention to:

• Minimum connection times
  • International flights often require more time than domestic-to-domestic connections.
• Terminal changes
  • Regional flights may use Concourses T or A–D; long-hauls often depart from E or F.
• Checked baggage rules
  • Bags are usually checked through to your final destination, but always confirm at check-in, especially for international itineraries involving more than one airline.

Why Atlanta Has Such Long Flights

Atlanta’s ability to support extremely long flights is tied to a few local realities:

• Massive passenger volume: ATL is among the world’s busiest airports by passenger count, giving airlines enough travelers to fill ultra-long routes consistently.
• Delta’s main hub: Delta’s large presence at ATL allows many passengers to connect through Atlanta to reach faraway destinations, making long routes financially viable.
• Geographic position: From a map perspective, Atlanta works well as a connecting point between:
  • The Southeast and South America
  • Much of the U.S. and Africa
  • The East Coast/Midwest and Europe or Asia

For people who live in the Atlanta metro area, the result is convenient access to destinations that might otherwise require multiple stops.

Practical Information for Departing From ATL on a Long Flight

If you’re specifically planning one of these ultra-long flights from Atlanta, a few local details help smooth the process.

Getting to ATL

Common options for long-haul travelers include:

• MARTA (Rail):
  • Airport Station at the end of the Red and Gold lines
  • Often used by city residents and those staying in Midtown/Downtown/Buckhead
• Rideshare or taxi:
  • Pick-up and drop-off zones at the Domestic and International Terminals
• Driving and parking:
  • Long-term parking lots and private off-airport parking with shuttle service to terminals

Because you’ll likely be gone for an extended trip, compare long-term parking costs vs. using MARTA or rideshare, especially if you live inside the Perimeter.

Key ATL terminals for long flights

• Domestic Terminal (North and South):
  • Where many U.S. flights arrive and depart before you connect to a long-haul
• Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Concourse F):
  • The main terminal for many international departures and arrivals, including some of Atlanta’s longest flights
  • Passport control and customs for returning international passengers

There is a free shuttle connecting the Domestic and International Terminals if you arrive at one and depart from the other.

How to Decide If a Long Nonstop From Atlanta Is Right for You

When choosing between a nonstop ultra-long flight from ATL and an itinerary with a connection (for example, stopping in New York, Paris, or Dubai), Atlantans often weigh:

Pros of flying nonstop from Atlanta:

• ✅ Less overall travel hassle (no extra layover or change of planes)
• ✅ Lower risk of missed connections due to delays
• ✅ Often more predictable checked bag handling

Potential downsides:

• ❌ Sitting in one cabin for 14–16 hours can be tiring
• ❌ Sometimes fewer fare options than routings with one or two stops
• ❌ If you strongly prefer to walk around in an airport mid-journey, you don’t get that “break”

If you’re traveling with small children, older relatives, or people who don’t tolerate long seated stretches well, some Atlanta travelers intentionally choose a one-stop routing that breaks their journey into two shorter segments.

Quick Reference: Longest Flights From Atlanta at a Glance

• Approximate longest route:
  • Atlanta (ATL) – Johannesburg (JNB), often around 15–16 hours nonstop
• Other very long nonstop routes:
  • Atlanta – Tel Aviv (TLV)
  • Atlanta – Seoul (ICN)
  • Atlanta – Tokyo (HND/NRT)
  • Atlanta – Buenos Aires (EZE)
  • Atlanta – São Paulo (GRU)
• Where they usually depart:
  • Often from Concourse E or F at Hartsfield–Jackson’s International side
• Who uses them:
  • Atlanta-area residents
  • Travelers connecting through ATL from across the Southeast and beyond
• Best way to confirm current longest flights:
  • Check current schedules on airline sites and ATL’s official departure information, then filter for nonstop and look at flight duration.

With these points in mind, you can quickly see which longest flights from Atlanta fit your plans and how to prepare for one of these marathon journeys out of the world’s busiest airport.