National Airlines sets record with Scotland‑Australia cargo flight

National Airlines, a U.S. cargo carrier, completed a nonstop flight from Prestwick Airport in Scotland to Melbourne, Australia on 4 August 2026. The Boeing 777F freighter covered 9,849 nautical miles (18,240 km) in 19 hours 23 minutes, a distance that exceeds the aircraft’s standard range of 4,970 nm and is claimed to be the longest commercial 777F flight to date. The mission was performed on behalf of Golden Aviation and is believed to have carried a light, possibly urgent, cargo such as spare aircraft parts, allowing the aircraft to carry additional fuel.

The flight, registered N795CA (or N792CA according to a second report), attracted significant attention from aviation enthusiasts and set a new record for the 777F. A return leg from Melbourne to Toulouse later set an even longer endurance record, staying airborne for 24 hours 24 minutes and covering 12,460 nm. National Airlines operates a fleet that includes Boeing 747‑400 and 777‑200 freighters and provides charter and ACMI services for the U.S. government.