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Toulouse - Airbus announced on Tuesday that some of the A350-900 aircraft it will deliver to Singapore Airlines will be the newly launched version equipped to fly for up to 19 hours.
Singapore Airlines intends to use these for non-stop flights to the US. The carrier has an order for 67 A350-900s, seven of the aircraft will now be delivered with the ultra-long range capability.
The A350-900ULR (Ultra-Long Range), will include a modified fuel system to increase the fuel carrying capacity, an increase in maximum take-off weight, as well as aerodynamic improvements. This will enable Singapore Airlines to offer a direct service to the US West Coast and New York.
Representing a distance of some 8 700 nautical miles, the New York service will be the world’s longest commercial passenger route, with an expected flight time of up to 19 hours.
“Our customers have been asking us to re-start non-stop Singapore-US flights and we are pleased that Airbus was able to offer the right aircraft to do so in a commercially viable manner,” said Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong.
The all-new A350 XWB (extra wide body) entered commercial service earlier this year and brings a 25% reduction in fuel burn and emissions, and significantly lower maintenance costs.
To date, Airbus has recorded a total of 783 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 41 customers worldwide.
