Singapore goes 'longest' haul
 

AAP

Singapore goes 'longest' haul
From correspondents in Singapore

SINGAPORE Airlines Friday took delivery of the first of 10 ultralong-haul aircraft to fly what it claims will be the world's longest non-stop commercial services between the Asian city-state and the United States.

The Airbus 340-500 plane is scheduled to make direct 16-hour flights to Los Angeles from February and 18-hour direct flights to New York from August.

The Singapore-Los Angeles will be 1.2 to 2 hours shorter than current services and 2 to 6 hours for Singapore-New York - because there won't be a need to stop for refuelling.

Tickets cost 5 per cent to 10 per cent more than the airline's other flights, it said.

The new planes have been designed specifically for long-haul travellers. They have lounge areas where passengers can socialize and stretch their legs, the airline said in a statement.

Economy class seats are 51cm wide, and are fitted with 23cm wide personal entertainment video monitors and electrical outlets, so passengers can power laptops, it said.

First class will offer fully reclining beds and 26cm personal video monitors, it said.

Singapore Airlines ordered 10 Airbus 340-500 in 1998 at a cost of $US2.2 billion ($3 billion), the statement said.

AAP

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