Direct flight vs Non-stop flight – what’s the difference?

November 13, 2025

Did you know that a direct flight and a non-stop flight isn’t actually the same thing? Here we help you figure out some important differences between the two.

The aviation industry can be confusing – whether you’re a frequent flier or taking your very first trip. A common misconception is the difference between a direct and a non-stop flight. The terms sound identical but actually aren’t.

A non-stop flight is exactly what it sounds like – taking off from one airport and landing directly at the destination with no stops in between. It’s the fastest and most convenient option, and most flights you see in search results are in fact non-stop.

The term “direct flight” originally referred to a flight between two main destinations, but not necessarily without stops. Even today, a direct flight may include one or two stopovers — for refueling or disembarking passengers.

Passengers normally stay on board during a stop, though in rare cases a plane change occurs. A direct flight still keeps one flight number and one boarding pass, but often lasts longer than a non-stop flight.

More ultra-long-haul routes are being added every year. The world’s longest non-stop flight currently operates between Singapore (SIN) and New York (JFK), lasting almost 19 hours.

If you don’t mind extra travel time or a stopover, you can always pick connecting flights. You’ll change planes, get new flight numbers, and have separate boarding passes for each segment.