The world’s longest flight returns – and it’s now longer

Singapore Airlines is returning to the Big Apple next month after suspending its service from the city-state on March 23

Singapore Airlines is expected to resume its nonstop flights to New York on November 9, but instead of using Newark, the 18-hour service will land at JFK.

According to the carrier, the move will allow it to better accommodate a mix of passenger and cargo traffic on its services to the city. It will also make the record-breaking connection – which previously spanned a great circle distance of 9,534 miles – just under three miles longer.

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The carrier has rostered an A350-900ULR this time setup in a three-class configuration. Aviation Image Network/Simon Gregory

The outbound connection – SQ24 – will operate thrice-weekly from Singapore/Changi to New York/JFK and is expected to last 18 hrs 5mins. The return sector, SQ23, will also be a three-times-weekly service lasting 18 hrs 40mins.

The operator has rostered an Airbus A350-900ULR for the route, but instead of a two-class premium economy and business class configuration, Singapore Airlines has this time chosen to offer a three-class layout with 42 business, 24 premium economy and 187 economy class seats.

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The New York route is the carrier's second in the US, after Los Angeles, to be resumed since the shutdown caused by the pandemic. Aviation Image Network/Simon Gregory

Lee Lik Hsin, executive vice president commercial for Singapore Airlines, said: “Operating these flights between Singapore and New York’s JFK International Airport represent an important step in the rebuilding of our global network. Non-stop ultra-long [connections] are the bedrock of our services to the key US market. We will continue to ramp up existing [links] and reinstate other points as the demand for both passenger and cargo services return.”

While passenger demand will likely remain suppressed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the firm anticipates a significant cargo requirement from the range of industries based in the New York metro area, including pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, and technology firms.

The New York service is the carrier’s second route to the US since the beginning of the crisis as it also operates a nonstop link between Singapore and Los Angeles.