National Airlines says it has completed what is believed to be the world's longest commercial Boeing 777 Freighter flight, operating nonstop from Prestwick Airport in Scotland to Melbourne, Australia.
According to the U.S. cargo carrier, the flight covered 9,849 nautical miles (18,240 km) in 19 hours and 23 minutes. The airline said the mission was performed on behalf of another operator, Golden Aviation.
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August 03, 2026
Flight NCR820 departed Prestwick shortly after midnight on Aug. 4 and attracted significant attention from aviation enthusiasts, becoming the most-tracked flight worldwide on Flightradar24 during its journey.
The aircraft involved was a newly delivered Boeing 777 Freighter registered N792CA.
Local reports said the cargo consisted of a replacement aircraft component, possibly supplied by one of the aerospace manufacturers located near Prestwick Airport, although National Airlines has not confirmed the shipment.
The airline described the operation as the longest commercial Boeing 777F flight completed to date. That claim has not been independently verified, although the distance and flight time place the mission among the longest nonstop cargo flights ever performed by the type.
Such a mission is unusual for the 777F, which is typically used to transport heavy payloads over considerably shorter distances. Boeing lists the freighter's nominal range at 4,970 nm while carrying its maximum payload of 107 tonnes. Although National Airlines did not disclose the cargo weight, the nearly 9,850 nm flight suggests the aircraft was carrying a comparatively light shipment, allowing additional fuel to be loaded for the ultra-long-haul mission.
Founded in 2006, National Airlines operates a fleet of 16 cargo aircraft, primarily Boeing 747-400 Freighters. The carrier also operates three Boeing 777Fs, including the aircraft used on the Prestwick-Melbourne flight.
