How does 18 hours and 40 minutes in economy sound, right about now? And yes, you’ll need to wear a mask for the duration of the flight. If you want to join the record books of those who’ve taken the world’s longest flight, that will soon be a possibility, and in new cabins too. Singapore Airlines is relaunching the world’s longest flight, with direct service between New York and Singapore, with some notable new changes…
Singapore Air Relaunches New York Flight
Before the pandemic changed the world, Singapore Airlines offered two New York departures: a double decker Airbus A380 flying out of New York JFK with a Frankfurt stop en route to Singapore, and a specially modified, ultra long range Airbus A350 out of New York’s Newark Liberty Airport with direct service to Singapore.
With the New York-Frankfurt-Singapore flight still on hold, Singapore Air is reopening a vital cargo route, with non-stop service between New York and Singapore, operated by an Airbus A350 with flights SQ23, SQ24, but intriguingly, the flights will not utilize the ultra long range version of the A350. Passengers can book on too!
Why? Cargo.
Technology and medical supplies are more vital now than ever, and as a world leader in healthcare, Singapore is at the forefront. The newly relaunched flight, which moves from Newark to JFK starting November 9th, 2020 and will fly 3x weekly is set to offer economy, premium and business class.
No more than a handful of passengers are expected on each flight, due to current entry restrictions in Singapore, which may explain why an ultra long range variant of the A350 isn’t necessary.
When Singapore previously operated the world’s longest flight, it was done with a specially configured Airbus A350-900ULR, with only a premium economy and business class section, to save on weight. At full capacity, the plane was at its limits.
But now, with fewer passengers expected, the airline is said to be relaunching with a standard Airbus A350-900, which will offer economy. It’s the first ever time someone could take the world’s longest flight in a standard economy seat.
Singapore has slowly reopened to outside travel, but typically only to Asia and Pacific countries, and mostly on an advanced notice visa basis, or for business travel. Most US travelers are not currently allowed to enter the city state. If you’ve been dreaming of a chance to spend 18 hours and 40 minutes on a plane during the pandemic, you may soon have your chance.
