NEWS Airbus launches A350-900ULR - Singapore to Offer the ‘World’s Longest Flight’ (19 hours)

Airbus has launched an “ultra-long range” version of the A350-900 and Singapore Airlines (SIA) has agreed to be the launch customer. SIA has converted seven of its 63 existing A350-900 orders to the A350-900ULR, which can fly up to 19 hours (8,700 nautical miles).

Singapore Airlines - which until late 2013 operated what were then the world’s two longest flights from its home base to New York and Los Angeles using the A340-500 - will regain the title in 2018 when it begins to operate non-stop service from New York to Singapore, a 19-hour flight that will cover roughly 8,700 nautical miles. The airline will use Airbus’ newly launched Ultra-Long Range version of the A350-900 to provide the service.

The A350-900ULR incorporates a number of necessary changes over the standard A350-900. These include a higher capacity fuel system within the existing fuel tanks, increasing fuel carrying capacity from 141,000 litres to 165,000 litres.