Computer-generated image of the A350-900ULR in Singapore Airlines’ livery. Credit: Singapore Airlines
SINGAPORE Airlines, in partnership with Airbus, will be the first to launch a new ultra-long-range variant of the Airbus A350 aircraft, allowing the resumption of non-stop flights between Singapore and the US.
The national carrier currently has 67 A350-900s on firm order plus 16 purchase options. With the new agreement, seven of the planes will be upgraded to the A350-900ULR, which has a range of 8,700 nautical miles.
Deliveries of the A350-900ULR are scheduled to take place in 2018, enabling the re-launch of the world’s longest commercial passenger route, with an expected flight time of 19 hours, between Singapore and both Los Angeles and New York. The service stopped in 2013 when the A340-500s being used on the route were retired.
The aircraft will be fitted with all-new cabin products which are currently under development, while non-stop flights between Singapore and other cities in the US are also under consideration.
“Our customers have been asking us to restart non-stop Singapore-US flights and we are pleased that Airbus was able to offer the right aircraft to do so in a commercially viable manner,” said Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines.
