Singapore to Offer Non-Stop from New York in 2018, Regaining ‘World’s Longest Flight’ Title

A Singapore A380 at JFK in New York

Singapore Airlines, which until late 2013 operated what were then the world’s two longest flights, will regain the title in 2018 when it begins to operate non-stop service from New York to Singapore, a 19-hour flight that will cover roughly 8,700 nautical miles. The airline will use Airbus’ newly launched Ultra-Long Range version of the A350-900 to provide the service.

The airline previously operated flights between Singapore and Newark Liberty International Airport, and between Singapore and Los Angeles, California, an 18-hour 30-minute flight that covered 8,000 miles.

“Our customers have been asking us to re-start non-stop Singapore-US flights and we are pleased that Airbus was able to offer the right aircraft to do so in a commercially viable manner,” said Goh Choon Phong, the airline’s CEO.

The A350-900ULR comes with a higher capacity fuel system that allows the aircraft to carry more fuel using the existing fuel tanks, increasing fuel carrying capacity from 37,248 gallons (141,000 liters) to 43,588 gallons (165,000 liters). The plane will have an increase in maximum take-off weight and aerodynamic improvements that will allow Singapore to serve both New York and the West Coast of the United States.

Unlike the typical Singapore A350 which has approximately 300 seats, the A350-900ULR will have approximately 170. The airline was operating the now-discontinued flights using Airbus A340-500 aircraft that were configured with 98 business-class seats.  Most A340-500 jets have 250 seats.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)