Singapore Airlines Brings the 19‑Hour Long‑Haul Dream Back to Skies
Reinstating a Classic
On the night of Oct 11, the skies over Changi Airport burst with excitement as Singapore Airlines Flight SQ22 took off for the first time in five years. The same flight number that once roamed from Singapore to Newark in 2004‑2013 has returned, thanks to the airline’s newest and most efficient Airbus A350‑900 ULR. Unlike its predecessor, the aircraft is built to handle the demands of a 19‑hour nonstop journey while keeping fuel costs in check.
Passenger Spotlight
At Terminal 3, flight‑goers began arriving around 9 p.m. for check‑in. Many were thrilled to be part of history‑making, with a flight that ranks as the world’s longest nonstop commercial service.
- Vipin Bagga (39) arrived from New Delhi, loading his phone with playlists and podcasts to survive the full trip. “I’ve got everything I need for 19 hours,” he joked.
- Joel Kang (30), a Singaporean software engineer based in New York, said it’s his birthday present to himself. “I’m flying here from Frankfurt and returning on the same nonstop route. It’s a great time‑saver for my annual home visit.”
Pre‑Flight Celebration
Inside the gatehold, SIA orchestrated a pre‑flight reception featuring the cabin crew’s playful rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.” The event, hosted by Senior VP for Sales & Marketing Campbell Wilson, marked a moment the airline has celebrated since the route’s original cancellation in 2013.
“This launch signals a new era of growth for the United States market,” Wilson told reporters. “We’re thrilled to offer a direct, nonstop connection that saves time and fuels our global strategy.”
Expanding the U.S. Horizon
SIA is not just stopping at Newark. The carrier has added nonstop flights to San Francisco and is gearing up for a Los Angeles launch on Nov 2.
- By year’s end, Singapore will run 27 nonstop U.S. services a week.
- Changi Airport will see a boost from 72 weekly passenger services to the U.S., up from the current four airlines linking Singapore to six U.S. destinations.
- “The demand for travel between North America and Southeast Asia remains strong,” noted Ivan Tan, spokesman for Changi Airport Group.
Why It Matters
With the introduction of the A350‑900 ULR, SIA could finally re‑establish a nonstop presence in the U.S.—something previously hindered by rising fuel prices and the appetite for long‑haul comfort. Now, travelers can hop on a single, nonstop flight to get to the East Coast (or West Coast) without the extra hassle of layovers.
As SIA and Changi Airport broaden their network, passengers enjoy more direct connections and an elevated travel experience—all thanks to the airline’s latest fleet upgrade and ambitious route strategy.
