Singapore Airlines will launch the world’s longest commercial flights in October, with non-stop services between Singapore and New York using the new Airbus A350-900ULR (ultra-long-range). Flights are to be launched on October 11, 2018, to Newark Liberty International Airport. WATCH: Gorgeous rainbow contrail  The route will initially be served three times a week, departing Singapore on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. Daily operations will commence from October 18 after an additional A350-900ULR aircraft enters service. SIA is the world’s first customer for the new A350-900ULR, with seven on firm order with Airbus. The aircraft will be configured in a two-class layout, with 67 Business Class seats and 94 Premium Economy Class seats.

Tickets will be made available for sale progressively across the various booking channels, starting from tomorrow (Thursday, May 31st). Flights will cover a distance of approximately 9,000nm (16,700km), and traveling time will be up to 18hrs 45min. Singapore Airlines served the Singapore-Newark route until 2013, when services were suspended after the aircraft used at the time, Airbus A340-500s, were returned to Airbus. “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, ultralong-range Airbus A350-900ULR,” said Singapore Airlines’ CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong.

Singapore Airlines currently has 21 A350-900s in its fleet, with 46 more on order including seven of the ULR variant. The first A350-900ULR is due for delivery in September, with all seven due for delivery by the end of the year. Non-stop Singapore-Los Angeles flights are also planned with the A350-900ULR, details of which will be announced at a later date.