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On March 30, airlines in the northern regions started their summer schedules, which led to significant changes in flight routes. Among the routes that ended was the longest one-stop passenger flight, a fifth freedom service operated by Singapore Airlines from Singapore to Houston via Manchester.
The end of this Singapore to Houston route marked a significant shift. Singapore Airlines had been flying this route for 17 years, initially stopping in Moscow and later in Manchester. Despite the strong premium demand that led to an average one-way fare of $2,411, the route was expensive to operate due to its length. The long-haul flight adjusted its stop from Moscow to Manchester in 2016, a strategic move that made the Singapore to Manchester leg non-stop. This new route helped Manchester regain Texas flights after a decade-long absence.
Flights from Singapore to Houston covered 10,013 nautical miles. On the final departure on March 30, flight SQ52 left Singapore's Changi Airport and reached Manchester in over 13 hours. After a short layover, the Airbus A350-900 continued to Houston, taking over nine hours in flight due to headwinds, achieving a total block time of over 26 hours.
