Airbus launched a new "ultra-long range" version of the A350-900 which Singapore Airlines will use to resume non-stop Singapore-US flights.
"The A350 is the perfect, flexible platform for such operations, offering unrivalled operating economics for the very longest routes," Airbus president and CEO Fabrice Brégier said in a statement.
"And the wider and quieter cabin will provide the perfect environment for passengers to enjoy the world-famous Singapore Airlines in-flight product."
According to the aerospace giant, the A350-900 has a range of 8,700 nm (10,012 mi) thanks to improvements such as an increased fuel capacity from 141,000 liters to 165,000 liters as well as an increased maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 280 tonnes (309 tons).
"The extended range capability is achieved without the installation of additional fuel tanks and the aircraft can be reconfigured easily to the standard A350-900 long haul specification," Airbus said.
The passenger jet's range will be put to good use as Singapore Airlines plans to use the A350-900ULR to reinstate its non-stop service to New York or Los Angeles from its hub in Singapore.
"Our customers have been asking us to re-start non-stop Singapore-US flights and we are pleased that Airbus was able to offer the right aircraft to do so in a commercially viable manner," SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong said in a statement.
The airline currently has 63 A350-900s on firm order, seven of which have been upgraded to the "ultra-long range" variant. Deliveries are said to take place in 2016 for the former with the latter following in 2018.
When the A350-900ULR goes into service, Gizmag said SIA's Singapore-US flights will be the world's longest commercial passenger route staying in the air for up to 19 hours. By contrast, the Dallas/Fort Worth to Sydney route flown by Qantas A380-842 passenger jets is the current record holder at 8,578 mi at around 17 hours.
Singapore Airlines operated the Singapore-US route until 2013 when it retired its A340-500s.
