The United States is set to feature a notable increase in long-haul international flights in November 2023, with a total of **576 daily scheduled passenger departures**. Among these, a small but significant number of **30 flights** will be operated by narrowbody aircraft, with the **Boeing 737 MAX** taking on **seven** of those routes. This data is derived from flight schedules analyzed by **OAG**.
In terms of performance, the **Boeing 737 MAX** will account for approximately **one in every 83** daily international long-haul services. The **MAX 8** and **MAX 9** variants will be utilized for these flights, highlighting the aircraft’s versatility. Airlines such as **Copa Airlines**, **Gol**, and **Icelandair** are expected to play prominent roles in these operations, while **United Airlines** has historically contributed more during the summer months, especially from the **East Coast**.
Longest MAX Flights in November
Leading the list of the longest **Boeing 737 MAX** flights in November is **Icelandair**, which offers a route from **Keflavik** to **Orlando** with a maximum block time of **8 hours and 20 minutes**. This flight covers a distance of **3,071 nautical miles** (approximately **5,687 kilometers**) each way. Notably, Icelandair’s new service to Miami is not included in this list as it will operate using the **A321LR**.
The longest MAX flights are timed between **7 hours and 24 minutes** and **8 hours and 20 minutes**. While many other flights were close to making the list, they fell just short. For instance, **WestJet** operates a route from **Calgary** to **Kahului** that lasts **7 hours and 23 minutes**, and Icelandair’s flight to **Nashville** has a block time of **7 hours and 20 minutes**.
The top ten longest **MAX** flights for November are as follows:
– **8h 20m**: Keflavik to Orlando – Icelandair (operating six to seven weekly flights on the MAX 8)
– **8h 15m**: Brasília to Orlando – Gol (daily MAX 8)
– **8h 10m**: Keflavik to Denver – Icelandair (daily MAX 8)
– **8h 05m**: Fortaleza to Orlando – Gol (weekly MAX 8)
– **8h 00m**: Keflavik to Seattle – Icelandair (MAX 8 on select dates; primarily served by the A321LR)
– **7h 54m**: Panama City to San Francisco – United (daily MAX 8) and Copa (daily MAX 9)
– **7h 51m**: Liberia to Seattle – Alaska Airlines (weekly MAX 8)
– **7h 30m**: Edmonton to Honolulu – WestJet (weekly MAX 8)
– **7h 30m**: Calgary to Honolulu – WestJet (three weekly MAX 8, with occasional use of the 787-9)
– **7h 24m**: Calgary to Kona – WestJet (three weekly MAX 8)
Copa Airlines and Its Longest Route
Copa Airlines has been serving the route from its hub in **Panama City** to **San Francisco** for a decade. Currently, it operates flights daily, but OAG data indicates that prior to **2019**, the airline provided as many as three daily services on this route. In **May 2025**, **United Airlines** joined Copa on this route, marking the first time the market featured two operators.
For Copa, the San Francisco service stands out as its longest flight by time in November, surpassing its second-longest route to Montevideo by **20 minutes**. The route, designated CM382, departs Panama City at **18:27** and arrives in San Francisco at **23:17** local time, with a block time of **7 hours and 50 minutes**. The return flight, CM383, leaves at **00:36** and arrives back in Panama City at **10:46**.
In the **12 months** leading up to **July 2025**, data from the **US Department of Transportation** reveals that Copa Airlines transported approximately **153,000 round-trip passengers** on this route, achieving a **90% seat load factor**. Notably, around **70%** of these passengers connected to other flights in Panama City, with Lima being the most popular onward destination.
Alaska Airlines also makes a significant appearance in this report, with its sole entry in the top ten longest MAX flights. The airline inaugurated its service from **Seattle** to **Liberia** on **December 20, 2024**, strategically timed for the holiday season. This route marked the first direct service to the Costa Rican destination from Seattle. Initially, service operated until **May 10, 2025**, before resuming on **November 22, 2025**, allowing it to qualify for this ranking.
Interestingly, Alaska Airlines’ block time for this route is noted at **7 hours and 51 minutes** in November. However, changes in block time are anticipated from **March 22** until **May 10**, extending the duration to **9 hours and 3 minutes**. This adjustment is reflected in the airline’s schedules and booking systems and may stem from either scheduling changes or time zone adjustments.
As airlines adapt to the evolving travel landscape, the long-haul capabilities of the Boeing 737 MAX continue to play a crucial role in connecting diverse destinations across the globe.