The longest commercial flight in the world - Qatar Airways' Doha to Auckland service - touched down ahead of schedule on Monday, February 6, the New Zealand Herald says.

Flight QR920 was due to land at Auckland Airport at 7.30am but landed 15 minutes early after a flight of about 16-and-a-quarter hours.

This afternoon's return journey could take more than 18 hours because of headwinds.

The airline's chief executive Akbar Al Baker was aboard the flight and when asked whether any rise in fuel prices could affect commitment to the route, he said it was a long term commitment to the country.

"We never close a route when we launch. We are not an airline that is only here for good times. We are here for good times and bad times because we service the people that we operate to.''

On its daily Auckland service the airline is using a long-range Boeing 777 which has 217 economy seats and 42 business class seats. The Monday's flight was full.

The return flight is due to leave Auckland Airport at 2.40pm on Monday.

He said Auckland rounded off his airline's network in this part of the world.