SINGAPORE — I did loads of flying final week, at the same time as an airline reporter. My journeys even helped me full an avgeek ceremony of passage: I took the longest flight on the earth from New York to Singapore on March 11-13 and returned on March 16.
I flew as a visitor of Singapore Airways to cowl updates to its premium financial system service choices, and likewise to expertise these flights whereas they’re nonetheless the longest on the earth. Qantas, the Australian Airline, is about to assert that title from Singapore when it inaugurates nonstop round-trip flights from Sydney to New York and London in mid-2026.
These Qantas flights are anticipated to take as much as 20 hours every method, however for now, Singapore’s 18+ hour providers between New York and Singapore stay the longest commonly scheduled business flights, even when favorable winds generally assist them cowl the gap sooner.
Flying ultra-long haul is comparable in some ways to different flights: you’re nonetheless in a pressurized metallic tube screaming by the troposphere, however as I heard from Singapore Airways executives – and witnessed for myself – onboard service takes on an excellent higher significance if you spend practically a full day within the air.
So, right here’s what it was like aboard the longest flights on the earth.
The significance of meals
Antony McNeil, Singapore Airways’ meals and beverage director, advised me that meal timing and composition make a giant distinction to passenger consolation on extra-long flights.
“The intention is that inside three hours of departing, you’ve already began your first meal service,” he stated. “Then six, seven hours (later), the crew will come again, so midflight you’re consuming fairly a big meal. If you wish to sleep on departure, you understand you’re not going to overlook out.”
McNeil stated it’s necessary that meals don’t depart passengers feeling too bloated on such lengthy flights.
“The meals that we provide at these instances of the flight let you relaxation extra comfortably,” he stated. “They’re actually designed that can assist you really feel fuller for longer, so that you’re not in search of snacks. Some American carriers on long-haul flights, they’re serving you actually creamy dishes, creamy pastas, they’re heavy, you don’t really feel good after you’ve eaten them, whereas we wish to reverse that, we wish to go within the different path. Really feel good, really feel higher for longer, benefit from the expertise.”
On the best way to Singapore I had:
- Smoked salmon salad
- Garlic bread
- Sea bass with potatoes (if reminiscence serves appropriately)
- A Lindor chocolate ball
- Noodles with hen
- Lamb chops
- Purple wine
- Tea
- A Equipment Kat bar
On the best way house I had:
- A lot of tea and water
- Smoked salmon salad
- Garlic bread
- Duck confit
- Chocolate mousse cake
- Purple wine
- Hen satay
- Beef au jus with polenta
- Potato chips
- Cheese and onion potato chips
- A Equipment Kat bar
Meals additionally assist break up such ultra-long flights into extra manageable chunks if you happen to can’t handle to sleep.
The flight from New York JFK departs round 11:30 p.m. day by day and arrives two days later round 6:00 a.m. (i.e.: my flight departed on the evening of March 11 and arrived in Singapore on the morning of March 13). I slept fairly a bit on the best way to Singapore, so didn’t expertise the total service move, however on the best way house, the flight departed Singapore round 12:30 within the afternoon and arrived in New York round 6 p.m. On that flight, I actually appreciated the meal timing, which was nice for watching a film and taking a nap between providers, and helped the practically 18 hours onboard really feel arguably affordable.
The way it compares to shorter flights
McNeil stated longer flights permit Singapore Airways to supply extra stretched-out supply with each meal service.
“In comparison with a brief haul, let’s say you’re going from right here to Jakarta, one hour 40 perhaps, that’s one meal service. Firstclass, enterprise class is a tray, every little thing’s on the tray,” he stated. “On a mid-haul flight, your service could have a desk structure. It’s possible you’ll get your tray, salad, appetizer, they’ll take away the tray after which deliver you a plated primary course, so there’s totally different service parts within the distances you’re touring and it’s differentiated by flight departure, distance and, after all, what the crew can ship inside security necessities.”
Singapore Airways additionally flies particular plane on its ultra-long-haul flights. The Airbus A350-900ULR jets it makes use of have solely two service lessons onboard: premium financial system and enterprise class, that means all vacationers expertise an elevated inflight service on the airline’s longest flights.
Suggestions for sleeping like a professional on a aircraft
One factor I’m very lucky about is that I are inclined to sleep properly on planes, even within the low-cost seats. I wasn’t paying shut consideration, however on the best way to Singapore I believe I managed 8-10 hours of sleep complete. At any fee, I slept sufficient that one of many flight attendants commented to me as we ready for touchdown that he was impressed with my capacity to be unconscious. On the best way house, I made an effort to remain awake so I’d be prepared for mattress at a standard time in New York, however nonetheless snuck in two two-hour naps between meals.
Simply earlier than leaving for Singapore, I additionally flew again from one other project in Cape City. On the practically 16-hour flight to Atlanta, I once more managed 7-8 hours of sleep.
I don’t say all this to brag, I say it to assist.
What’s my secret? On the Singapore journey, it was sheer exhaustion, however on most flights of 10 hours or extra, I’ve a routine that helps me get down.
I attempt to guide a flight as late within the night as attainable so I’m already drained as we’re leaving. I do my greatest to remain awake by the primary meal service, which generally occurs throughout the first hour or two of the flight, and have dinner so I don’t get up hungry halfway by the journey. Then I take a dose of a widely known over-the-counter cough and chilly medication that makes you drowsy (in gel cap type) as I watch for the meal tray to get cleared.
I acknowledge that there’s some debate in regards to the security of taking a sleeping support on a aircraft: if an emergency occurs, I do know I gained’t be firing on all cylinders if I get up from a medically-induced stupor to evacuate, however it’s a danger I’ve determined I’m keen to take to catch some Zs and assist the flight cross extra shortly.
This chilly medication routine has helped me log practically a full evening’s sleep on most 10-plus-hour flights I’ve taken lately, and I now hereby cross my skilled traveler knowledge onto you.
So subsequent time you’re flying an particularly lengthy distance, take note of what you’re selecting to eat, and contemplate taking a sleep support you understand you tolerate properly.
Additionally: Don’t neglect to drink loads of water. It’s no secret that being on a aircraft for a very long time can dry you out.
The reporter on this story obtained entry to this occasion from Singapore Airways. USA TODAY maintains editorial management of content material.
Zach Wichter is a journey reporter for USA TODAY primarily based in New York. You may attain him at [email protected]
