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Why Singapore Airlines' longest flight lacks economy class

Why Singapore Airlines' longest flight lacks economy class
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Singapore Airlines | Official Website

Singapore Airlines operates the world's longest nonstop commercial flights between Singapore and New York, using specially built ultra-long-range A350-900ULR aircraft. These flights are designed for business customers and others willing to pay a premium for faster travel, hence the absence of economy class seating.

The airline's strategy focuses on a smaller business market, similar to supersonic aircraft like Concorde and Boom's Overture. However, this approach is not universal. For instance, Qantas plans ultra-long-haul flights to New York and London with different configurations.

Singapore Airlines is currently the only operator of the A350-900ULR variant, with seven in service. These aircraft can fly over 20 hours nonstop and are used for routes to New York-JFK and Newark Liberty airports. The standard A350-900 has a range of up to 8,500 nautical miles, while the ULR extends this to 9,700 nautical miles due to a modified fuel system.

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The A350-900 is smaller but more popular than the stretched A350-1000. It typically carries 332-352 passengers in a three-class configuration. Mainline carriers often have premium seating heavily configured in their aircraft.

Singapore Airlines' A350-900ULRs have 67 business class seats and 94 premium economy seats, totaling just 161 seats—36% of the aircraft's maximum capacity. This low-seating capacity targets high-paying markets similar to Concorde's strategy.

The market for these flights focuses on high-paying groups that Overture aims to attract with its upcoming supersonic jet. Passengers preferring cheaper options can choose other airlines like Cathay Pacific or United Airlines with connecting flights.

Singapore tasks its A350-900ULRs with serving routes from Singapore to New York-JFK and Newark Liberty, covering approximately 9,000 nautical miles in up to 18 hours and 45 minutes.

Business class on Singapore's long-range aircraft features fully flat beds and KrisWorld entertainment systems. Premium economy offers meals served on porcelain serviceware with exclusive wines.

Qantas' Project Sunrise aims for nonstop Sydney-London-Heathrow and New York-JFK flights using a special longer-ranged version of the A350-1000 called the A350-1000ULR. Unlike Singapore's configuration without economy seating, Qantas will include economy seats among its total of 238 passenger seats.

In summary, Singapore Airlines' A350-900ULRs cater specifically to business markets between Singapore and New York but will soon be surpassed by Qantas' longer-ranged A350-1000ULRs scheduled for delivery in 2026.

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