Have 19 hours? World’s longest commercial flight takes off
SINGAPORE (AP) — The world’s longest direct commercial flight is back and taking travelers from Singapore to the New York region.
Operated by Singapore Airlines, the city-state’s national carrier, the trip takes slightly under 19 hours. Skipping a stopover in Frankfurt will save hours of traveling time, the carrier says.
Starting Thursday, the route between Changi Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey will be served three times a week. A week later, the carrier will offer daily flights, after a second Airbus A350-900ULR aircraft is delivered.
Singapore Airlines launched the record-breaking route in 2004, but canceled it nine years later because of rising fuel prices.
Campbell Wilson, its senior vice president of sales and marketing, said the Airbus A350900ULR, which was delivered two weeks ago, consumes 25 percent less fuel than an older generation aircraft of the same size.
“It allows us to offer a service that eliminates a transfer in the middle, it saves people six hours, it gets people there in comfort ... we think it’s going to be a good success,” Wilson said.
The flight won’t have any economy seats. Instead, it has 94 more-spacious premium economy and 67 business class seats, which can fold out into a bed.
Business seats come with a mattress topper and firm and soft pillows. Bathrooms in the premium economy section are fitted with a spray for hydration. Passengers will have 1,200 hours of movie and television content to choose from, up from the usual 1,000.
The Singapore carrier has seven more A350900ULRs on firm order with Airbus. The aircraft can fly for over 20 hours or 11,250 miles non-stop.