The Quickest Way to NYC

After five years, Singapore Airlines reboots its 18hr 45min flight, because non-stop flying is really a better way to fly.

Even if Star Trekstyle beaming never comes our way, we’re still for the fastest way to anywhere – especially if we have to fly to get there.

Between 2004 and 2013, Singapore Airlines introduced the first flight from here to New York City in just under 19 hours. No stopovers. No walking around like a zombie to kill time. No mad rush for a connecting flight. Then, the 2008 financial crisis and skyrocketing fuel prices made SIA lay one of its best ideas to rest.

Until now – when the need for quick getaways has become the norm, and the airline has a fleet of Airbus A350900ULRs that are made for long hauls that don’t feel so long haul. First, it has no coach seats because SIA knows comfort is key. “Coach” is now 94 premium economy seats with calf rests built into your seat,

not attached to the back of someone else’s. Arranged in 2-4-2 and 1-4-1 configurations for easier access, the seats are also wider and can recline up to 20.3cm (that’s about 5cm more than standard economy).

To help us optimise our rest hours (we do have more than 18 hours to kill, so catching some serious Zs for eight hours is a good start), cabin lighting is adjusted throughout the flight (orange, red and yellow to induce sleep; white and blue to wake us up).

To help us feel better, stretching exercises are recommended via the entertainment screen by American premier integrative wellness brand Canyon Ranch, in partnership with Singapore Airlines.

With eight hours down, what does one do with the other 10-ish hours? Well, since premium economy serves three meals at fixed timings (the 67 businessclass passengers can eat whenever and however much they want), it shaves off three hours easily.

Now, we have seven hours left – not hard to manage on the world’s longest flight, as SIA has added 200 hours of content (on top of the previous 1,000) on My Krisworld to celebrate the launch of its new aircraft.

Now, Concorde, did you say you were making a comeback?