End of an Era, No Party for SQ21 – World’s Longest Non-Stop Flight Arrives Back Home

by Adam

There was sadly no celebration and little acknowledgement when the world’s longest non-stop commercial flight, Singapore Airlines flight SQ 21, landed yesterday for the final time in Singapore from Newark.  As the AFP reports:

The world’s longest nonstop commercial flight ended without fanfare Monday after Singapore Airlines (SIA) flew its last nearly 19-hour service from New York. Flight SQ 21 landed early Monday in Changi Airport, bringing an end to a nine-year run. “Food and refreshments were served to customers at the airport gate hold rooms in Singapore and Newark. Customers were also presented with commemorative gift sets and certificates,” an SIA spokesman added. Analysts said the rise in fuel prices since 2004, when the 15,335-kilometre (9,529-mile)service was launched to cater to business travellers, made it economically unsustainable.

Following the withdrawal of the two direct US services by SIA, three routes will share the distinction of being the longest in terms of duration — Dubai-Houston, Dubai-Los Angeles and Johannesburg-Atlanta — at 16 hours and 20 minutes. In terms of distance, a Qantas flight from Sydney to Dallas will be the longest, but tailwinds enable it to be completed in 15 hours and 20 minutes.

As a travel and aviation enthusiast, I feel very fortunate that I was able to experience this flight (both ways) and you can see that Trip Report here –Singapore Airlines Trip Report – Newark to Singapore Business Class – The World’s Longest Flight. I hope some of you took advantage of the award seats that were available as late as last week.

From airlineroute.net, here are the frequencies during the entire operations of the flights to both Newark and LAX.

Singapore – Los Angeles 03FEB04 – 20OCT13 (1 daily. SQ reduced service to 5 weekly from 01MAR09 to 30SEP10 and from 01MAY11 onwards)
Singapore – Newark 28JUN04 – 23NOV13 (Initially operates 1 daily. SQ reduced service to 5 weekly from 02APR09 to 18JAN10, 6 weekly from 01APR13 onwards)

Singapore Airlines in 1999 placed the order for 5 Airbus A340-500 and 5 on options.

Interested in understanding why the two longest flights were canceled? Check out Bloomberg’s – Why the Longest Nonstop Flights Are Ending.

Also see, The World’s Longest Flights – How Many Have You Flown (I have 10)?

Need help planning a trip with your miles? Consider Juicy Miles assistance for the best possible award pricing and routes!

Related

IMG_0255

The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Related Articles

3 comments

Matt November 26, 2013 - 10:18 am

“Food and refreshments were served to customers at the airport gate hold rooms in Singapore and Newark. Customers were also presented with commemorative gift sets and certificates”

Sorry, what more “celebration and acknowledgement” were you looking for?

Reply
The Singapore Airlines Employment Application – WOW…crazy questions - Point Me To The Plane November 29, 2013 - 10:33 am

[…] End of an Era, No Party for SQ21 – World’s Longest Non-Stop Flight Arrives Back Home […]

Reply
Singapore Really Wants to Restore Non-Stop Service to New York - Point Me to the Plane June 22, 2015 - 4:04 pm

[…] End of an Era, No Party for SQ21 – World’s Longest Non-Stop Flight Arrives Back Home […]

Reply

Leave a Reply to The Singapore Airlines Employment Application – WOW…crazy questions - Point Me To The Plane Cancel Reply