Singapore Airlines Is Officially Bringing Back the World's Longest Flight

Singapore Airlines confirmed on Wednesday that it will resume operations of its record-breaking 18-hour-and-45-minute flight later this year.

On October 12, the airline will resume nonstop service between Singapore Changi Airport and New York’s Newark Airport.

Singapore Airlines previously operated the 9,521-mile route but stopped service in 2013 when rising fuel prices made the journey unprofitable.

This time around, the airline will use Airbus’s brand new A350-900ULR to operate the ultra-long flight. The aircraft was specifically designed for fuel efficiency and is capable of flying 11,160 miles. Singapore Airlines will be the first airline to use the plane later this year.

Because of the grueling flight time, Singapore Airlines has opted to eliminate economy seating on the route. Passengers can choose one of 67 business class or 94 premium economy seats.

“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, the ultra-long-range Airbus A350-900ULR,” Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phon said in a statement.

Daily service will begin on October 19 when the airline takes possession of a second Airbus A350-900ULR aircraft. Tickets will go on sale May 31. The airline will also begin nonstop service between Los Angeles and Singapore when it receives more A350-900ULR aircraft, likely later this year.

Once Singapore begins operations, it will take back the record for world’s longest flight. The current record holder is Qatar Airways’ route from Auckland to Doha, which takes about 18 hours.