Singapore Airlines (SIA) is set to resume flying the world’s longest commercial flights this October, with non-stop services re-commencing between Singapore and New York.

Flights will be operated by the brand new Airbus A350-900ULR (ultra-long-range) aircraft and will be launched on 11 October 2018 from Singapore to Newark Liberty International Airport.

The route will initially be served three times a week, departing Singapore on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, and daily operations will commence from 18 October 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.

Flights will cover a distance of approximately 9,000nm (16,700km), and travelling time will be up to 18hrs 45min. Singapore Airlines served the Singapore-Newark route until 2013, when services were suspended after the aircrafts 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, ultra-long-range Airbus A350-900ULR,” said Singapore Airlines’ CEO, Goh Choon Phong.

“The flights will offer our customers the fastest way to travel between the two cities – in great comfort, together with Singapore Airlines’ legendary service – and will help boost connectivity to and through the Singapore hub.”

The A350-900ULR will offer customers a more comfortable travelling experience with features such as higher ceilings, larger windows, an extra wide body and lighting designed to reduce jetlag. Its carbon composite airframe also allows for improved air quality due to a more optimised cabin altitude and humidity levels.

Singapore Airlines’ Regional Vice President, South West Pacific, Phillip Goh, said the return of the Singapore-New York non-stop service was great news for Western Australia.

“From October our West Australian customers will be able to access one of the fastest one-stop options from the West Coast of Australia to the East Coast of America,” Goh said.

“The non-stop Singapore-Newark flights will deliver convenience, comfort and a premium service for passengers travelling from Perth to New York via Singapore.”

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.

Singapore Airlines currently serves New York JFK, daily via Frankfurt. Other US destinations include Houston (five times weekly via Manchester), Los Angeles (daily via Seoul and daily via Tokyo), and San Francisco (daily non-stop from Singapore as well as daily via Hong Kong).

Non-stop Singapore-Los Angeles flights are also planned with the A350-900ULR, details of which will be announced at a later date.