Airlines Singapore Airlines to relaunch world’s longest commercial flight
Singapore Airlines has announced to relaunch the world’s longest commercial flights in October. The service between Singapore and New York will be operated by the new Airbus A350-900ULR (Ultra-long-range).
Flights will be commenced on October 11, 2018. Per week, three flights are planned with the aircraft leaving Singapore on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. From October 18, 2018, the route will be served daily, as then a further A350-900ULR has been put into service.
The average flight time will be up to 18 hours and 45 minutes. A distance of 9,000nm (16,700km) will be flown. Until 2013, Singapore Airlines operated the Singapore-New York route with the Airbus A340-500. However, the aircraft was returned to Airbus that year. At the moment, Singapore Airlines operates the Singapore-New York route with a stop in Frankfurt.
CEO of Singapore Airlines, Mr Goh Choon Phong, commented: “Singapore Airlines has always taken pride in pushing the boundaries to provide the best possible travel convenience for our customers, and we are pleased to be leading the way with these new non-stop flights using the latest-technology, ultra-long-range Airbus A350-900ULR [...] The flights will offer our customers the fastest way to travel between the two cities – in great comfort, together with Singapore Airlines’ legendary service - and will help boost connectivity to and through the Singapore hub.”
Singapore Airlines is the launch customer of the Airbus A350-900ULR, which will be configurated in a two-class layout with 68 business class seats and 94 premium class seats. The carrier expects to take delivery of the first ULR this Summer, with a second to follow in Autumn. Altogether, seven ULR´s are on order.
About the new Airbus A350-900ULR, Singapore Airlines said: “The A350-900ULR will offer customers a more comfortable travelling experience with features such as higher ceilings, larger windows, an extra wide body and lighting designed to reduce jetlag. Its carbon composite airframe also allows for improved air quality due to a more optimised cabin altitude and humidity levels.”
Singapore Airlines is the flag carrier of Singapore and is also headquartered in the city. From its operational hub at Changi Airport, the carrier serves 69 destinations in 35 countries. The fleet consists of nearly 120 wide-body aircraft, including 21 Airbus A330, 21 Airbus A350, 18 Airbus A380, seven Boeing 747-400F, 48 Boeing 777 and four Boeing 787-10.
Source © singaporeair.com