Other major airlines are expected to follow Qatar Airlines' lead in making ultra-long haul flights.

The world's longest commercial flight, from Qatar to New Zealand, touched down for the first time in Auckland just after 7am yesterday.

The 16 hour and 20 minute long flight from Doha passed over 10 time zones, five countries and covered a distance of 14,535 kilometres.

Massey University Aviation School head Ashok Poduval told Rachel Smalley major carriers are likely to get into this strategy.

"Because this is, I suppose, the way of the future as long as fuel prices don't go up too high," he said.

He's predicting more European visitors to the country because it's a direct connection from Europe into Doha and then straight on to New Zealand.

"More European visitors to the country because the connections from Europe to Doha and straight on to New Zealand

The return flight to Doha will break the record again, as head winds will add another hour to the flight time.

LISTEN ABOVE AS MASSEY UNIVERSITY'S ASHOK PODUVAL SPEAKS WITH RACHEL SMALLEY