Singapore Airlines (SIA) will launch non-stop flights between Singapore and Los Angeles using the new Airbus A350-900ULR (ultra-long-range) aircraft in November. In addition, SIA will step up existing daily non-stop Singapore – San Francisco services to 10 times per week. SIA currently operates 40 flights per week to the US cities of Houston, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Together with the earlier announced non-stop Singapore – New York services, total US frequency will increase to 53 per week by December 2018.
The SIA group carriers (Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Scoot) combined together offer over 140 weekly services from India to Singapore. With the additional SIA non-stop services, Indian customers travelling to the US will benefit from seamless and convenient connections, through its award-winning Singapore Changi hub.
Furthermore, Indian travellers can redeem a complimentary S$20 Changi Dollar Voucher for use at all participating shops, restaurants and lounges when they transit at Singapore Changi Airport. Indian nationals can also avail of one-way, Visa Free Transit Facility for up to 96 hours in Singapore with a valid onward ticket and a valid visa from select countries including the US. The transit facility will be provided at the discretion of the immigration authorities.
SIA will be the first airline in the world to operate the A350-900ULR, with seven on firm order with Airbus. This ultra-long-range aircraft will be configured in a two-class layout, with 67 Business Class seats and 94 Premium Economy Class seats. SIA’s existing A350-900s feature a three-class layout with 42 Business Class, 24 Premium Economy Class and 187 Economy Class seats. SIA currently has 21 A350-900s in its fleet, with 46 more on order including the seven ULR variants. The first A350-900ULR is due for delivery in September, enabling the launch of the world’s longest commercial flights between Singapore and New York (Newark) on October 11, 2018. The route will initially be served three times a week, departing Singapore on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Daily operations will commence from October 18 after an additional A350-900ULR aircraft enters service.
Flight SQ38 from Singapore to Los Angeles will commence on November 2, 2018. The route will initially be served three times per week, departing Singapore on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Daily operations will commence from November 9, 2018 after an additional A350-900ULR aircraft enters service. From December 7, 2018, a further three services per week will be added as SQ36, lifting total non-stop flights between Singapore and Los Angeles to 10 times per week. Together with SIA’s current daily one-stop service to Los Angeles via Tokyo, Los Angeles will be served 17 times per week.
SIA will also be increasing frequency on the existing Singapore-San Francisco route with three more weekly non-stop flights, with effect from November 28, 2018. The three additional services will operate as SQ34, departing every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday to San Francisco and will complement existing daily SQ32 non-stop services. Together with SIA’s current daily one-stop service to San Francisco via Hong Kong, San Francisco will also be served 17 times per week.
Mr David Lim, General Manager India – Singapore Airlines said, “Indian travellers frequent US destinations on a year-round basis for business and leisure. By introducing the latest-technology, ultra-long-range Airbus A350-ULR aircrafts complemented with enhanced comfort and increased connectivity on the Singapore to US routes, we anticipate keen interest from customers, who will consider travelling to the US through the East.”
