The United States is not a turboprop nation. In this northern winter aviation season, there are only about 1 of 128 domestic flights (excluding other propeller-driven aircraft). The average distance for a propeller flight this winter is 224 miles (360 km), but what about especially long flights?
Top 5 longest propeller flights in the US
The following table summarizes the distances. Both are scheduled passenger services, and the frequency of service varies considerably. The longest route from Anchorage to Dutch Harbor is typically operated by Rabun Alaska Airlines’ 37-seat Dash 8-100 aircraft 14 times a week and Aleutian Airlines’ 50-seat Saab 2000 aircraft 12 times a week. Currently, four of these flights are in operation. The latest work was released on October 30th.
Photo: Michael Rosebrock | Shutterstock
Miles (km)* | Maximum block time** | routing | Airline (passengers only) | aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
792 (1,275) | 4 hours 20 minutes | From anchorage to Dutch Harbor | Loven Alaska, Aleutian Airlines | dash 8-100, serve 2000 |
767 (1,234) | 4 hours 10 minutes | From Anchorage to St. Paul Island | love alaska | dash 8-100 |
620 (998) | 2 hours 55 minutes | From Anchorage to Cold Bay | Loven Alaska, Aleutian Airlines | dash 8-100, serve 2000 |
580 (933) | 2 hours 40 minutes | Tampa to Greensboro | silver airways | ATR42 |
557 (896) | 2 hours 40 minutes | From Anchorage to Sandpoint | Loven Alaska, Aleutian Airlines | dash 8-100, serve 2000 |
535 (861) | 2 hours 35 minutes | Orlando to Huntsville | silver airways | ATR72 |
535 (861); Yes, it’s the same! | 2 hours 25 minutes | Orlando to Greensboro | silver airways | ATR72 |
477 (768) | 2 hours 15 minutes | Tampa to Greenville Spartanburg | silver airways | ATR42 |
449 (723) | 2 hours 10 minutes | Orlando to Greenville Spartanburg | silver airways | ATR42 |
442 (711) | 2 hours 10 minutes | From Anchorage to St. Mary’s | love alaska | dash 8-100 |
* per GCMap | ** In either direction, regardless of operator |
From anchorage to Dutch Harbor
Ravn’s flights typically depart from Alaska’s capital at 6:00 a.m. (2:10 p.m. return) and noon (8:10 p.m. return). The block (scheduled) time is extremely long at 4 hours and 20 minutes, and is also listed on timetables. This includes taxi time, flight time, and short delay times at both airports. The flight time is only a fraction of the time, so it will obviously be shorter.
In contrast, the Aleutian Islands Fast Serve 2000 averages 27.8 years, with a maximum block of just 2 hours and 25 minutes. Departs on weekdays at 07:30 (return 12:45) and 14:00 (19:10).
Notes about Tampa and Greensboro
Silver Airways’ first flight to the continental United States will be from Tampa to Greensboro. In the 46-seat ATR 42-600, his maximum block time is longer at 2 hours and 40 minutes. However, there are very few services this winter, and the only two round trips available to book are November 18th and November 25th. Still, it’s good enough to include.
Photo: ATR
OAG and Flightradar24 indicate that the Saturday-only service operated from September 2 to 30, 2023. The service remains more than twice Silver’s average leg length and is the longest scheduled ATR route in the United States. The 580-mile (933 km) airport-to-airport was last serviced by Spirit using his A320s in late 2019, but this is a much different service. If the cost of seat miles is very low, everytime means success.
Which routes have you flown? Let us know in the comments.
source: OAG, Kirium, flight radar 24, channel airlines, Google Flights
