United Airlines has announced plans to launch nonstop service between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) on June 1.
Traveling 8,446 miles one way, the new segment still requires government approval, but if approved, it will be the longest scheduled nonstop flight operated by any U.S. carrier, according to United officials.
The airline plans to fly 252-seat Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on the new route.
“Singapore is one of the world’s most important business and leisure destinations, and we have wanted to operate nonstop service between Singapore and our hub at San Francisco for a while,” said Jonathan Guerin, public relations manager for United.
“The Boeing 787-9 aircraft makes it possible for us to do this because of its unique capabilities in terms of range, capacity and fuel efficiency,” he said. “This is a game-changing aircraft, and its modern engines and improved aerodynamic design allow it to fly farther, faster and more efficiently than similar-size aircraft.”
On the new route, United will offer travelers 48 BusinessFirst seats, which can recline 180 degrees into lie-flat beds. The high-end product will also feature personal, on-demand entertainment system with 15-inch touch-screen monitors.
The Boeing 787-9 aircraft will also house 204 seats in United Economy, including 88 Economy Plus seats with additional legroom. United plans to offer satellite Wi-Fi service on the new route, and seatback monitors and power outlets will be available in the economy cabin.
Following the launch of nonstop SFO-SIN flights, United says it will terminate service between Singapore and Tokyo’s Narita airport, effective June 2.
Guerin notes that the new SFO-SIN nonstop “will help customers save up to four hours’ journey time each way” when compared with the current one-stop service offered by United through Narita and the present scheduling by its competitors.
“United’s San Francisco hub allows customers traveling from SIN to make convenient connections to more than 40 cities across the U.S., including 25 cities that do not have one-stop service from SIN today,” he said.
Singapore Airlines, meanwhile, announced plans this fall to resume nonstop service between Singapore and both the New York area and Los Angeles in 2018. The carrier will operate Airbus A350-900ULR planes on the routes after taking scheduled delivery of the new aircraft in a few years.
The Details
Singapore Airlines
www.singaporeair.com
United Airlines
www.united.com
