The longest flight in the world is back – and it’s even longer than before

With a staggering 18-hour journey, this was the longest scheduled passenger flight in the world, pushing passengers to their limits in terms of endurance.

Singapore Airlines’ Singapore-Newark route, covering an impressive 9,534 miles, fell victim to the Covid-19 pandemic and was suspended on March 23.

But now it’s ready for takeoff once again, with flights set to resume on November 9 between Singapore and New York.

There’s a small change, though – the flight will now land at JFK instead of Newark, increasing the total distance to 9,536.5 miles.

No holidays just yet

The airport change is designed to help the airline better manage a combination of passenger and cargo traffic, especially under the current operating conditions, as stated by Singapore Airlines.

Although passenger traffic is lower than usual, the airline is expecting a surge in cargo demand, particularly from sectors like pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, and technology.

It’s unclear how many regular passengers will be booking flights, as Singapore currently only permits entry for permanent residents, visa holders, and travelers from countries eligible for the 'Air Travel Pass' (including Australia, Brunei Darussalam, New Zealand, and Vietnam). Some regions in China, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea are also eligible for work-related travel if sponsored by a Singaporean company.

The flight will operate three times a week, using an Airbus A350-900, which offers 187 economy seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 42 business class seats.

A gradual recovery

Throughout the pandemic, Singapore Airlines has maintained its nonstop flights from Changi Airport to Los Angeles. The airline has pledged to continually evaluate its U.S. operations and gauge the rising demand for air travel as the recovery from Covid-19 progresses, before deciding on resuming services to other destinations in the country.

The flight from Singapore to JFK will take 18 hours and 5 minutes, while the return leg from JFK to Singapore will take slightly longer at 18 hours and 40 minutes due to headwinds. Passengers will also experience a unique aspect of the route – arriving two days after departure, thanks to a 10:30 p.m. departure and a 6:10 a.m. arrival.

Crew members will be equipped with goggles, gloves, and masks, while passengers are required to wear masks at all times except when eating or drinking.