United Airlines launches world's longest flight

United Airlines launched the only non-stop flights between the US and Singapore on 1 June, using the world's most advanced passenger aircraft, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, to operate service from the airline's San Francisco Pacific-gateway hub.

Measured by distance, the new route between San Francisco and Singapore is the longest scheduled 787 flight operated by any airline, and the longest scheduled flight operated by any US carrier, at 8,446 miles.

The non-stop flights connecting the two financial and tech centres will save travellers up to four hours' journey time each way as against a one-stop service.
 
"Our nonstop service between San Francisco and Singapore further enhances our already unprecedented trans-Pacific route network and builds an even stronger gateway to the Pacific from our San Francisco hub," said Jim Compton, United's vice chairman and chief revenue officer.

"These flights will offer our customers unique nonstop convenience when traveling to Singapore from the West Coast, with dozens of one-stop options from other cities across the Americas, including more than 26 that did not have one-stop service to Singapore before."

"Singapore offers a unique Asian experience where distinct cultures – Chinese, Malay, Indian & Eurasian – come together to form a rich tapestry of diverse experiences," said Kershing Goh, regional director, Americas, Singapore Tourism Board. "Singapore is now more accessible than ever with United's nonstop flight, and its rapid progress as an innovative and forward-looking destination will leave visitors inspired by the possibilities of what's to come.

"From the moment they step off the plane, visitors will be awestruck by the futuristic cityscapes, enticed by the exotic smells of our ethnic cuisines, enchanted with the lush greenery and wowed by the unique spirit and soul of the Singaporean people. Singapore should be on every globetrotter's list of top destinations."

United Flight 1 will depart San Francisco at 10:55 pm daily, arriving at Singapore's Changi Airport at 6:15 am two days later (all times local). On the return, Flight 2 will depart Singapore at 8:45 am daily, arriving at San Francisco International Airport at 9:15 am the same day. Flying times will be approximately 16 hours, 20 minutes westbound and 15 hours, 30 minutes eastbound.

United and United Express jointly operate more than 250 daily flights between San Francisco and 90 destinations throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Since March, the airline has added new nonstop service from the hub to Tel Aviv and Xi'an China and will also begin new service to Auckland, New Zealand, and Hangzhou, China, in July.

With the launch of nonstop San Francisco-Singapore service, United will end its service between Singapore and Tokyo/Narita effective 2 June, 2016 (eastbound).

However, United customers in Singapore may continue to choose to fly to Tokyo/Narita by using daily flights on ANA, United's trans-Pacific joint venture partner, and to make connections at Narita to many cities in the US on multiple flights operated both by United and ANA. United will maintain its daily service between Singapore and Hong Kong.