Once it takes delivery of new ‘ultra long-range variant’ of Airbus A350 aircraft, Singapore Airlines plans to restart long distance nonstop flights to the US.
The carrier plans to fly direct to both New York and Los Angeles from 2018 which could give it the edge in the race for the world’s longest nonstop commercial flight.
"Our customers have been asking us to re-start non-stop Singapore-U.S. flights and we are pleased that Airbus was able to offer the right aircraft to do so in a commercially viable manner," said Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong.
The airline ended nonstop flights to the US in 2013 when it retired the Airbus A340-500 planes it used on the routes.
It still serves New York, Los Angeles, Houston and San Francisco via connecting flights in Europe and Asia.
Singapore will be the launch customer of the new long range A350s.
"We are excited to be working with Singapore Airlines to re-launch its premium non-stop service to the U.S.," said Airbus CEO Fabrice Bregier.
"The A350 is the flexible platform for such operations, offering unrivaled operating economics for the very longest routes."
The race to claim the title of the world’s longest nonstop flight is hotting up.
Emirates will initially take the crown with a new Dubai-Panama City flight beginning in February 2016.
Air India is considering a 18-hour Delhi-San Francisco route while Qantas is reportedly mulling direct Australia-UK flights.
