Singapore Airlines A340-500 Beats its own Non-Stop Flight Distance Record

Singapore Airlines has flown into the commercial flight distance record books for the second time this year, with an A340-500 successfully inaugurating the carrier's latest non-stop round-trip commercial air service between Singapore and New York (Newark Airport).

The A340-500 departed at 12:25 Singapore local time on June 28th and completed the 16,600 km / 9,000 nautical mile sector to New York in 18 hours 18 minutes. The airline beat its own previous distance record for non-stop round-trip commercial service, when it introduced the A340-500 on the route between Singapore and Los Angeles on February 3rd of this year. On that occasion, the A340-500 completed the 14,093 km / 7,609 nm sector to Los Angeles in 14 hours 42 minutes.

Singapore Airlines' fleet of five A340-500s is configured with 64 enhanced Raffles Business Class and 117 Executive Economy Class seats. The cabins for both classes feature special areas and amenities for passengers to stretch their legs, socialize and relax on ultra-long-haul service.

With four Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines for the best economy on ultra-long-haul flights, the A340-500 enjoys unmatched operational flexibility on non-stop flights over remote areas -- such as oceans, mountain ranges and polar regions.

"I am delighted to congratulate Singapore Airlines on successfully completing its latest A340-500 record breaking non-stop flight between Southeast Asia and North America," said Noel Forgeard, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer. "Airbus is very proud to be to be sharing in Singapore Airlines' aim of making the world a smaller place."

Singapore Airlines placed its original A340-500 order for five firm and five option aircraft in 1999. The airline is also a launch customer for the A380 Double Decker with 10 firm orders and 15 options. Singapore Airlines is expected to be the first airline to put the A380 into service, in Spring 2006.