SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, is offering a Round the World fare promotion to celebrate the launch of its Round the World Planner. Depending on the customer’s starting point, discounts range from 10-30% off the normal ticket price. The promotion is valid for business and economy class tickets, for sale now through 30 November 2011 and for travel through 30 June 2012.

So what is this “‘Round the World Planner?”  Heck what is a ‘Round the World Fare?

Well, a RTW as its commonly called allows you to fly around the world in one direction without backtracking.  As long as our journey does not exceed 24,000 miles.  This particular promotion allows you to stay anywhere from 10 days to six months as long as you book your trip between 1. Oct. and 30 Nov. 2011.  In addition, you must start your travel on/or after 15 Oct. 2011 and finish by June 30, 2012.  Yes, its a ton of rules, but if you play your cards right you could see a lot of countries on the cheap.

Currently, you have 15 airlines to choose from:

Aeroflot, Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, TAROM and Vietnam Airlines.

Now don’t get your hopes up just yet.  RTW fares are really difficult to book, so although you can plan your dream itinerary, you still have to have a human book it for you.  Let’s take a look at the RTW Planner.  They’ve even done a demo for you to make it easier.

So check it out, map an itinerary and let me know how you made out by leaving a comment below.

These flights have been made possible with advancement in aviation and primarily two airplanes: The Boeing 777-200LR (LR is for Longer Range) and the Airbus A340-500.  The Airbus Web site states that there are 29 of these airplanes in operation and a total of 35 have been ordered.  It has a range of 9,000 nautical miles.  On the other hand, the Boeing Company says that the 777-200LR has a range of 9,395 nautical miles with a full passenger load of 301.  They’ve delivered 36 of the 56 airplanes that’s been ordered.  Don’t let these numbers fool you as the airlines can configure the airplanes differently so they can increase the range and they have.

Oh, I would be remiss if I did not mention the Boeing 777-300ER which is used by one of the airlines on the list.  Boeing has delivered 206 of the 408 on order.  The Boeing 777-200ER, the workhorse 777 is also on the list and allows these routes to be possible.  But enough of the numbers and planes, let’s get to the list.

I’ve compiled what is today’s top 10 longest flights by distance flown along with the airlines flying them plus some more details.  Some routes which have been flown in the past are currently not being flown, such as Bangkok, Thailand (BKK) to New York’s JFK which was flown by Thai Airways (TG) on an Airbus A340-500 so it was not included.

Enjoy and please add your comment below.  I’d love to hear if you’ve flown any of these routes, airlines and/or airplanes. I’ve flown #1, #9 and #10.  #6 continues to elude me in either direction.  I’ve flown the #3 route, but made a stop in Sal Island using a South African Airways (SA) Boeing 747-400.  Flown #2, but made a stop in Tokyo-Narita using a Singapore Airlines (SQ) Boeing 747-400.