Here's how I survived the world's longest flight: my 18 hours (nonstop) from Singapore to New York
The world's longest flight is a must for those who are aviation-sick, here is my review of the Singapore New York JFK flight
Singapore Airlines
Star Alliance
SIN
United States of America
I know people who travel specifically to see particular places: some people travel to visit soccer stadiums, some to visit train stations, some to visit museums, and I have a couple of friends who collect tristate around the world.
In this article:
- Specifications
- Aircraft:
- A350ulr
- Class:
- Business
- Treat:
- SIN - JFK
- Price:
- 115,000 Krisflyer + 60
- Book
I travel to try new experiences at 11 thousand meters high. It doesn't matter if it's testing a new company, a new airport, or a new cabin aboard an airplane.
What I am about to relate is one of those experiences that I wanted to have at least once in my life: fly over the World's longest commercial flight.
A small premise
There is a little bit of confusion regarding the Sydney/London direct flight. To date the Project Sunrise is not yet reality, the A350/1000s are still under construction, and if all goes well, flights will start no earlier than mid-2026. So as of today the Direct flight from Singapore to New York is the longest flight in the world. Obviously, I tried to fly now so that I can also do the Qantas one when it becomes available, because at that point the flight I took today will only be the third longest in the world.
Reservation
As I have already explained in some articles I have jammed this flight together with other experiences, I always try to do so to reduce my "unnecessary" travel for the purpose of TFC and so A super round-the-world itinerary came out.
I used 111,500 KrisFlyer points and paid less than $60 in taxes. A saver ticket i.e. the cheapest fare among the award tickets in the SQ loyalty program. Krisflyer is my loyalty program of choice worldwide Star Alliance and also being a Membership Rewards partner I can easily accumulate or move points to then detach tickets like this one or like the one for the crazy First Class Suite, the best first class in the world.
At the airport
I left the Singapore's new Conrad Hotel 8:30 a.m., about four hours before takeoff. A normal person should not do this, unless the motivation is to make a jump to visit the Jewel, which I recommend I strongly urge everyone to do.
Instead, I went straight to check in at Terminal 3. There are dedicated counters for business class and first class passengers, but the area was all very quiet.
I asked the attendant if there was a front row seat available in one of the two business class cabins and she said, "11K do you like it?" of course I thanked her and changed my seat.
The first rows are reserved for passengers with children because they are the ones where cribs can be placed, which is why they cannot be selected during the booking process except by going through the call center.
I then headed to the document checks, by now all digital, and then to the lounge. I took advantage of the time to visit all 4 available lounges with this ticket. Since I had no idea when I would be flying back to Singapore with Star Alliance, I took advantage of that.
The best Of the lot is definitely the business lounge at T3, Singapore Airlines' signature lounge at this airport. All very nice, but with Little imagination in terms of services offered. In addition to this there are also the lounge for those with Gold Star Alliance status, but traveling in economy.
What is special about Singapore, but also at other ports of call in Asia, is that security checks are not done at the terminal entrance, but directly at the gate. This procedure is really nice for passengers because it avoids long lines at the entrance since at the end each passenger goes through security only together with his fellow passengers.
By airplane
I arrived at the gate just as business class passengers were being invited to board, and 17 minutes later the aircraft doors had already closed. Sure enough this is a special A350 with only 161 seats, in comparison Ryanair's 737s carry 187 passengers, but I have never witnessed such a fast procedure in my life.
There are two business class cabins on board, the first smaller and the second more crowded. The seat and configuration identical to All Singapore A350s also flying to Italy on the Milan/Barcelona route. The rest of the passengers are seated in premium economy with a 2-4-2 configuration.
Singapore Airlines uses these A350ULRs for routes to New York and Los Angeles where it flies nonstop. Otherwise it reaches with A35o or 777s to the same cities but stopping in Frankfurt or Tokyo.
The chair
I knew this plane, I had already taken a couple of trips on the A350 And that is why I asked for the opportunity to have a front-row seat.
The difference is huge in terms of Legroom and general room to move around comfortably, compared to all other armchairs. Then when it turns into a bed the difference is even more sensitive. In one case the legs have to fit into a small cavity and you have to sleep in a very unnatural position.
In the front row, on the other hand, you have all the space you want, so listen to Poodle if you have to fly to Singapore with SQ definitely try to take these rows.
Of course there are also disadvantages: you have a little bit less storage than the other chairs and you are closer to the galley and so the noise and chatter of the staff can be heard quite a bit, but as we say in Liguria, "Sucking and Sorbing is not possible."
In general, the chair has a very comfortable design, is perhaps the most spacious after ANA's The Room, but being more than 10 years old it is beginning to show signs of aging, in fact on the A380s that have been refurbished it has been updated.
There is no door, although the seat shell protects enough from the aisle, the rows are also staggered giving everyone more privacy.
The equipment is the classic one, there is a small cockpit in the console structure, there is a second storage space at the top. There is a small mirror in the frame that houses the screen, in the back rows here there is also a small cup holder and an additional small compartment.
The special feature of this armchair is that it does not become a bed, but turns into a bed.
This means that you cannot press a button and slide into bed mode. You have to straighten the chair, stand up, unhook the backrest and fold it forward, stretching the rest of the support.
By doing so you have the bed. The advantage is that you sleep on the rigid, on top of a small topper that could also be a tad more padded. Let's say this solution has pros and cons, I know those who love it and those who hate it. I don't mind it, as long as you take the front row.
The seat is controlled from a hand control located under the armrest, a convenient position and one that is not "accidentally" squeezed. The equipment is classic, including nice lighting to find the right mix, especially on a flight like this one of 18 hours.
However, the air vents are missing, and this is increasingly a problem for me.
Service
Let's say it didn't exactly run smoothly. For example, when I arrived at my place I was the only one who did not have the night kit. I didn't notice right away because SQ is one of the few, if not the only one that normally delivers it on demand.
When I realized that everyone instead had it in place I asked for it and it was brought to me in a nanosecond (or almost) along with the menu as well.
Unfortunately, it is confirmed as a below-average amenity kit and not at the level of other airlines, I just don't understand why Singapore Airlines makes such a cheap choice in all respects. Probably Of all the world's top 10 companies, it is the absolute worst And we are talking about what is voted the best company in the world.
Inside the small pouch is a lip gloss, a moisturizing spray and a hand cream. Slippers, socks and an eye mask are delivered separately. There is no Pajamas, there is not even a T-shirt such as provides Lufthansa in business class, but many airlines from Qatar to Cathay, from Oman to Qantas provide PJ on overnight flights, and this is an (almost) one-day flight.
The staff was exquisite as always and makes up for the shortcomings. Considering that only 12 people are on board, as on a flight that lasts 6 hours less, they manage to do everything (almost) perfectly. Of course a few smudges during the service I noticed, but nothing serious.
I didn't do the doorbell challenge because every 10 minutes, at most, someone would walk through the booth to offer drinks, snacks, or simply to ask if everything was okay.
Food & Beverage
I did my homework and Ordered the two lunches from the book the cook menu, that is, the option offered by Singapore Airlines to choose from a hundred dishes if you do not like what is on the flight menu instead.
My choice fell on the iconic chicken skewers and thetastiest hamburger I've ever eaten aboard an airplane. Sure I could have chosen lobster, pasta and more, but in the end in the midst of all this luxury I wanted tasty dishes more than fine dining.
The first glass of champagne came not even 60 seconds after I was sitting in my seat. Then the classic hot towel and off we went. A nano second after we reached cruise altitude I already had a second glass of champagne and dried fruit as an appetizer.
Lunch was served immediately afterwards and about 90 minutes after takeoff I was already finished. As an appetizer there was shrimp, then my chicken satay and finally I had ice cream skipping the cheese board.
Six hours later off to the second meal and here came the ignorant sandwich perfect to get through this 18-hour flight, served along with an appetizer and a dessert better than lunchtime ice cream. In this way finished the first service one part goes to bunk, then second service with the second part of the crew going to rest.
As mentioned some smearing on the service was there, but at the end of the day I understand that it is not easy to serve in so many business class passengers with so few staff.
Catering promoted with flying colors, considering the fact that before landing, you can eat one more time if you wish.
IFE
Krisworld is a very solid product, it has some nice features such as the ability to log in with your account and start watching a movie you started on another flight again, or to pre-select in your favorites what you will want to watch on board in the days before departure.
Lots of movies and other content, there is everything you want. I ended up watching the live TV channels which are the ones I always use to keep me company.
The most important thing, however, was one: free and unlimited wi-fi throughout the flight. Free for business passengers, but also for those enrolled in the Krisflyer loyalty program. Constant signal throughout the flight, never an interruption and ability to be simultaneously connected with 2 devices.
How I survived 18 hours
I hadn't made a particular plan, but my strategy was as follows. Immediately after lunch I went to sleep, I didn't set an alarm clock, but I dreamed for about 3 solid hours.
When I woke up I got to work: translated to writing reviews, downloading mail, replying to messages etc etc etc.
I wanted to arrive tired at JFK, not to end up jetlagged on the next flight, yes because my plan was to get off flight SQ24, go through immigration and get my new boarding pass heading home.
I managed to catch the last KLM flight of the day with only 20k Flying Blue points. In this case, my idea was just to collapse once I was seated in my seat aboard the Dreamliner that would take me home, penultimate leg of this crazy world tour.
In conclusion
The question is would I do it again? maybe yes, but definitely not in economy. I think in a regular chair it is much better to break up the trip, take four steps, maybe a stop over for a day or two, and then arrive at the destination.
Pro
- Book the cook
- The price
Against
- The chair