Airline review: The world’s longest flight is an absolute pleasure

The airline: Singapore Airlines

• Route New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport to Singapore, flight SQ23
• Frequency Daily
• Aircraft Airbus A350-900 ULR
• Class Business, seat 12A
• Flight time 19 hours (this is currently the world’s longest non-stop flight)

Singapore Airlines uses the Airbus A350-900 to fly the world’s longest non-stop route.Credit: Getty Images

Checking in

Check-in at the business counter is seamless, but I do spend 30 minutes in the immigration and security screening line. There’s no dedicated Singapore Airlines lounge at JFK, and I’m directed to the multi-airline Prime Lounge, which is particularly basic. I had planned to have a shower, but this lounge does not even offer toilets.

Once on the plane, things are decidedly cushier. For the first time, I’m splurging on a long haul business class flight, thrilled to be starting my luxurious adventure of epic duration.

Baggage

Singapore Airlines allows two check-in pieces up to 32 kilograms each, plus two cabin bags. My bag is handled with efficiency and emerges on the carousel in Singapore just as I’ve cleared immigration.

The loyalty scheme

KrisFlyer is free to join and part of the Star Alliance network. Virgin Australia’s Velocity members can earn points on SQ flights.

The seat

Business class on board. The plane also has a premium economy cabin, but no economy class seats.

This Airbus A350-900 ultra-long-range aircraft has been made lighter so it can carry more fuel for this route. There are 67 business class seats across two separate cabins and 86 premium economy seats. There are no economy seats.

The business seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 profile, and slightly offset. The pitch is 60 inches (152 centimetres) with 28 inches (71 centimetres) of width. There’s plenty of storage in a shelf near my feet, an international power point, USB-A and C phone charging points and three reading lamps. Before take-off, I’m sipping a Charles Heidsieck champagne.

With the lift of a latch, the wide leather seat flips forward to lie flat at 78 inches (198 centimetres), and there’s plenty of room to stretch out with a fluffy doona.

There is plenty of room to stretch out over the 19-hour flight.

Entertainment + Tech

Unlimited Wi-Fi is included for business class travellers and for premium economy KrisFlyer members. The coverage is intermittent at times, but sufficient to get some work done.

The KrisWorld entertainment system features a mind-boggling assortment of offerings, from Singaporean and Hollywood movies, to the Bluey series, nature documentaries and K-pop concerts.

If you prefer, link the system to your phone and control it from there. Gaming is offered, and there is online duty-free shopping.

Service

I’m in awe of the crew on this flight. As one rather entitled customer buzzes the call button at least 20 times, the attendants remain unfailingly polite. With (presumably) insufficient sleep, they continue to perform with professionalism.

Food

Lobster thermidor is a breakfast to wake up for.

Two meals are offered, each being three courses with a choice of four options for the main. Refreshments are available at any time including noodles with abalone, and chicken, pizza, fruit, and chocolate.

I’m taking this decadence further, choosing my meals before the flight from a vast menu called “Book the Cook”. There are wellness options designed by Golden Door exclusive spa, and others by celebrity chefs including Matt Moran. From the Singapore cuisine list, I’ve chosen the prawn and pork dumpling noodle soup, a comforting choice after my late-night departure.

I sleep for six hours, and I’m woken by a hostess proffering a hot towel, inquiring whether I want to skip the meal service. Absolutely not, as I’ve ordered the king of airline foods, lobster thermidor. Despite feeling like it’s breakfast time, I’m soon devouring a flavour-filled crustacean, served with tender asparagus and a French Chablis. I also manage to down the entree of albacore tuna salad, and from the dessert cart, the cheese platter as well as the rich chocolate mousse cake. Definitely worth waking up.

Carbon emissions

In 2021, Singapore Airlines announced its commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Passengers can choose to offset the carbon emissions of their flight. The supported projects, all in Asia, include rainforest preservation in Indonesia, solar farms in India and clean-burning cookstoves in Nepal. This flight emitted 3.293 tonnes of CO² in business and costs about $52 to offset.

One more thing

Dress for comfort as Singapore Airlines does not offer business class pyjamas like some other airlines. You will be offered an eye mask, socks, slippers and delightfully refreshing amenities by Penhaligon’s of London.

The price

From about $SGD10,100 ($A11,800) Singapore to New York JFK return in business class*.

Verdict

I was nervous about spending 19 hours inside a giant tin can, but this business class was an absolute pleasure. If you’re ever going to splurge on a front-of-plane experience, let it be this one.

Star rating

★★★★★

The writer travelled at her own expense.

*Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.