The World’s Longest Flight is Resuming Today

Today, October 11, 2018, the world’s longest flight – from Singapore Changi Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport is resuming. The flight operated by Singapore Airlines covers a distance of around 9,500 miles, and the trip will last approximately 19 hours. The plane the flight is operated on is the Airbus A350ULR (Ultra Long Range). But this isn’t just an ordinary plane flying on only a regular route. Read more to find out the history of the flight, what to expect, and how to book the trip.

The History:

First of all, this is not a new flight. In 2004, Singapore Airlines launched what was then the world’s longest flight, from Singapore to Newark (same as the flight that they are now resuming) in an Airbus A340-500. The aircraft could fly up to 10,358 miles, making it an ultra-long range passenger jet. The aircraft back then was fitted with 100 flatbed business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration with no premium economy, first class, or economy class. I guess Singapore Airlines figured 19 hours would be too brutal to have an economy class cabin.

That flight was the world’s longest flight (by far) and operated until 2013. However, that flight eventually became unprofitable, as Singapore Airlines couldn’t fill the planes, and they were losing money not being able to fill the entire aircraft. Also, since the A340 had four engines, a flight that long used a lot of fuel and just wasn’t economically feasible. Therefore, Singapore Airlines scrapped the Singapore to Newark flight and started a flight from Singapore to Frankfurt to New York JFK so they could keep their New York presence. Instead of the 19 hours, that entire journey would take around 24-25 hours. Earlier this year, Singapore Airlines announced that they would reinstate their direct Singapore to Newark flight using an Airbus A350-900ULR along with keeping their flight via Frankfurt to New York JFK.

A Singapore Airlines Airbus A340-500 (Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

The New Flight:

Singapore Airlines now is re-launching from Singapore Changi Airport to Newark with their new aircraft; they think it will be economically possible. The flight will cover the same amount of distance and travels from Singapore up over China, Russia, the Arctic, and down over Greenland to Newark. Singapore Airlines will use the Airbus A350ULR, which features a two-class configuration. Fortunately, the flight will not have an economy class cabin, as that would be too brutal for that long of a flight. Also, most people would probably want one stop to stretch their legs and have two flights, instead of one almost 20-hour flight. Therefore, this way, they will get all of the business travelers who can afford business class or premium economy who want to get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible.

Travel Classes On The Flight:

• Premium Economy Class: There will be a total of 94 premium economy seats on the Airbus A350ULR. Premium economy will be in a 2-4-2 configuration and will be located at the very rear of the aircraft cabin. The last three rows of premium economy will be in a 1-4-1 configuration. All seats will feature personal on-demand entertainment, power outlets, and wifi available for purchase. The seats feature more legroom than usual in economy, leg rests, footrests, and headrests. 
• Business Class: There will be a total of 67 business class seats on Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A350ULRs. They will be in a 1-2-1 configuration and can transform into a fully flat bed. The business class seat is very similar to that of the regular Airbus A350s and retrofitted Boeing 777-300ERs. Passengers also get lounge access and in-flight amenities such as eyeshades, blankets, or pillows.

The flight will operate seven days a week, 360 days a year, and will run as SQ22 from Singapore to Newark and as SQ21 from Newark to Singapore. From Singapore to Newark, the flight will depart at 11:35 PM and will arrive in Newark at 6:00 AM the next day. From Newark to Singapore, the flight will leave at 10:45 AM and will land in Singapore at 5:30 PM the next day.

There’s one other note that I would like to make relating to the aircraft: Singapore Airlines ordered 7 Airbus A350-900ULRs, and will use them on their flights to New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. That means that all of those routes will feature these aircraft’s unique all premium economy and business class configuration. 

A Map of the Flight from Singapore to Newark and of the flight to New York JFK via Frankfurt

Booking The Flight

Since this is the world’s longest flight, the prices are not low – in both premium economy and business class. However, I probably would say that the prices are reasonably priced –
19 hours in business class on the world’s best airline (ranked by Skytrax) never should be that cheap. See the table below for both prices in business and premium economy class using miles or money to book the flight. Please note that the prices do vary, and these prices are averages. One can book the world’s longest flight via Singapore Airlines’ website. The flight is also bookable by using Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles. If you don’t have any Singapore Airlines miles, you can transfer AMEX Rewards Points and Chase Ultimate Rewards points in a 1:1 ratio to book the flight.

No, it isn’t cheap, but I can guarantee you that you won’t get much less expensive regarding business class or premium economy tickets from New York to Singapore and you certainly can’t get cheaper for the nonstop flight. 

Bottom Line:

The new Singapore Airlines flight is a step in the right direction regarding ultra-long haul flights. It represents just how connected the world is now, in that you can get from one end of the world to the other in less than 20 hours! While the flight ended in 2013 due to its unprofitability, I hope that the flight will end up working this time around. I do think it will because of the efficiency of the Airbus A350, and that they will be able to make more money off of it due to the premium economy cabin. No, the flight is not for everyone. Budget travelers and just anyone who doesn’t like being in a plane for that long probably won’t book this flight due to its steep prices and its incredibly long duration. However, the flight is excellent for what it is, and I look forward to seeing more ultra-long haul flights in the future!

Are you planning to fly on the world’s longest flight from New York to Singapore?