Singapore Airlines has just announced it will begin flying the world’s longest non-stop flight – at 19 hours – from Changi Airport to New York’s JFK.
The move comes as other airlines scale back their ultra-long range flights amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Last year, Singapore Airlines announced another non-stop flight between its airport hub and New York’s Newark airport. This new route will replace that old one.
“Operating to JFK International Airport would allow Singapore Airlines to better accommodate a mix of passenger and cargo traffic on its services to New York in the current operating climate,” the airline said in a press statement. “SIA’s non-stop services to New York would also be supported by the growing number of transfer passengers who can now transit via Singapore’s Changi Airport.”
The company says it hopes to capitalize on what will become increased demand from New York businesses looking to re-stablish their connection to business partners around the world.
“Non-stop ultra-long services are the bedrock of our services to the key U.S. market,” said executive vice president Lee Lik Hsin in a statement. “We will continue to ramp up existing services and reinstate other points as the demand for both passenger and cargo services return.”
According to Singapore Airlines, each plane will be disinfected before boarding as well as mid-flight in certain areas of the cabin. Cabin crew wear PPE at all times, and will supply passengers with kits stocked with face masks, hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes.
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