SINGAPORE AIRLINES Rolls-Royce powered A340-500 has successfully operated the longest non-stop commercial air service in the world, with its first flight between Singapore and Los Angeles. Designated ”A345LeaderShip” by Singapore Airlines, the aircraft seats 64 in an enhanced Raffles Business Class and 117 in all new Executive Economy Class. The A340-500 departed at 1600 Singapore local time and completed the 7,609 nm sector to Los Angeles in 14 hours 42 minutes. The return inaugural was scheduled for a mammoth 18 hours 40 minutes but in fact landed 32 minutes ahead of schedule. This new daily service operates non-stop in both directions on a sector that is over 540 nm longer than the previous record distance for a non-stop round trip commercial service between Hong Kong and Newark. Singapore Airlines is planning to inaugurate an even longer route between Singapore and New York in mid 2004.
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