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Globally, many long-haul routes had at least 100,000 round-trip passengers, yet do not have nonstop flights. Some of them had service in the past, even recently. But, all of them are without regular flights now. The reasons vary depending on the market. But they usually involve some combination of low yields from the distance or a lack of premium demand, or being too far for nonstop flights with existing aircraft.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the US is particularly well-represented in the list, with this article focusing on the country’s top ten markets. As you’ll see, Tokyo-Orlando appears on the list. On February 23, ZIPAIR initiated a very time-limited operation in collaboration with Disney Destinations International. But, it ends this month, with regular, year-round service unlikely.
The US’s Top Ten Long-Haul Routes Without Regular Nonstop Flights
The emphasis on nonstop is critical. The top two markets, 
Los Angeles to both Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok, are now served by United Airlines on a one-stop basis via Hong Kong. The carrier returned to Thailand and Vietnam in 2025.
Given Vietnam Airlines operates nonstop between Ho Chi Minh City and San Francisco, it’d be logical to wonder why it does not fly to Los Angeles—especially given the vast size of the market. The reason is twofold. First, the vast distance and low fares mean low yields, but that’s the same situation for San Francisco. Second, because of aircraft performance back to Asia.
According to Behramjee Ghadially, a senior airline network planner and industry commentator, “Vietnam Airlines’ Airbus A350-900s do not have the flying capability to operate from Los Angeles back to Vietnam nonstop with a near-full payload. It suffers the same fate while departing from San Francisco, which would be even worse from Los Angeles.”
|
Round-Trip Passengers In 2025* |
City Pairs Without Regular Nonstop Flights |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
|
336,000 |
Los Angeles-Ho Chi Minh City |
United has one-stop flights |
|
183,000 |
Los Angeles-Bangkok |
United has one-stop flights. Thai Airways previously operated on a nonstop and one-stop basis |
|
179,000 |
San Francisco-Bengaluru |
Air India operated nonstop until mid-2025, when flights stopped en route. It has pulled the route, but it may return when more aircraft arrive and it can overfly Russia |
|
174,000 |
San Francisco-Mumbai |
Air India operated nonstop until mid-2025, when flights stopped en route. It has pulled the route, but it may return when more aircraft arrive and it can overfly Russia |
|
170,000 |
New York-Dhaka |
Biman Bangladesh operated on a one-stop basis to JFK for many years |
|
168,000 |
New York-Hyderabad |
|
|
167,000 |
Dallas-Hyderabad |
|
|
154,000 |
Orlando-Tokyo |
Four round-trip flights in 2026 |
|
149,000 |
San Francisco-Hyderabad |
|
|
148,000 |
New York-Bangkok |
Thai Airways previously operated nonstop to New York JFK |
|
* According to data provided by Behramjee Ghadially |
** Combining New York-area airports |
Hyderabad Featured Three Times In The Top 10 List
In 2025, booking data shows that approximately 1.1 million round-trip passengers flew between the Southern Indian city of Hyderabad and the US. Hardly surprisingly, Emirates carried the most passengers (via Dubai), followed by Qatar Airways (via Doha), Etihad Airways (via Abu Dhabi), British Airways (via London Heathrow), and Air India (via Delhi/Mumbai).
Hyderabad featured three times on the table, with New York (168,000), Dallas (167,000), and San Francisco (149,000) all there. Despite the size of the existing markets, all of which would grow nicely from nonstop flights, they are unlikely to ever have them. As Ghadially said, “Unfortunately, no active airplane can fly nonstop with a full payload from Hyderabad to the US.” And even ignoring that, no Indian operator has a large hub there. This is important, as a US carrier is unlikely to fly there.
Southwest’s Massive Expansion: 31 New Routes Launch Next Week [Map]
Southwest’s second-shortest route takes off next week, one of several very short flights…
Will Bangkok Have Nonstop US Flights Again?
Thai Airways previously flew nonstop from Bangkok to both Los Angeles and New York JFK. It deployed the now long-retired Airbus A340-500, which was designed for such ultra-long-haul missions. Singapore Airlines used the variant from its city-state to Los Angeles and Newark. Ghadially said,
“Thai Airways failed big time on these routes, largely due to the aircraft being used and operating when fuel prices rapidly rose due to the impact of Hurricane Katrina.”
When all passengers flying all airlines are considered, Los Angeles-Bangkok had an average fare per nautical mile of $0.14 last year. In contrast, it was $0.23 for Los Angeles-Singapore. The latter was 64% higher, despite covering 6% more distance. The difference reflects the lack of premium travel to/from the Thai capital.
This is why it’d be short-sighted for Thai Airways to resume nonstop flights to the US, and perhaps why United chose the lower risk and far less expensive option of extending Hong Kong flights to the Thai capital. However, Air Canada has nonstop Vancouver-Bangkok flights, which are far shorter than service from Los Angeles or New York would be. Perhaps it gains a sufficient price premium for its nonstop flights to justify operating.
