Story of Homa’s rise and fall; from direct flight to New York to being expelled from the skies

Fifty years ago, on Thursday, 8 Khordad 1354 (May 29, 1975), National Airlines (HOMA) marked a historic milestone by launching the world’s longest non-stop airline route, thanks to the acquisition of Boeing 747SP aircraft. Covering 9,867 kilometers from Mehrabad Airport to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, the route included a brief stop at London’s Heathrow Airport and took 12 hours and 15 minutes. This achievement placed HOMA among the world’s top international airlines in the 1970s. The inaugural flight was attended by Ali-Mohammad Khademi, HOMA’s then-CEO, and welcomed in New York by Ardeshir Zahedi, Iran’s last ambassador to the United States.

As reported by Payam-e Ma newspaper, the route’s significance was captured in a TV interview with a passenger on the return flight from New York, who said with admiration: “I boarded a Boeing 747 in New York and landed exactly 11 hours and 15 minutes later in Iran’s beautiful and vibrant capital, Tehran. Iran Air flies a mile above other airlines. I had a calm and comfortable flight, enjoyed excellent Persian food, and appreciated the warm Iranian hospitality. Now, I’m here to visit Tehran and other wonders of the land of One Thousand and One Nights.”

May 29, 2025 | 8:57 am