Watch What It’s Like to Be on the World’s Longest Flight (Video)
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
One week ago, I embarked on the longest nonstop journey of my life — for the second time. Singapore Airlines operated the world’s longest flight, from Newark to Changi Airport, until it was forced to retire its flagship route, along with the gas-guzzling Airbus A340-500, in November 2013.
Since then, a handful of other airlines have fought for that record-breaking title, but even Qatar’s 9,074-mile journey from Doha (DOH) to Auckland (AKL) will have to make do with runner-up — a new aircraft capable of operating the nearly 10,000-mile journey just made its debut, finally marking the return of Singapore SQ21 this month.
This time around, I got to spend 18 hours (and change) onboard SQ’s first Airbus A350-900ULR. Even in business class, it felt like the journey would never come to an end. Naturally, the first thing people ask, is ‘what did you do for all that time?’ I could tell you, of course, but given the novelty of this ultra-long adventure, I figured it’d be more fun to mount a GoPro, and keep the camera rolling from gate to gate:
So, how did I end up occupying my time? Let’s break it down…
Hour 1: Taxi, takeoff and figuring out what to eat
Hour 2: Changing into pajamas, surveying movies, Singapore Sling
Hour 3: Lunch! And an incredible 2006 Chateau Rauzan-Segla Bordeaux
Hour 4: Dessert, cheese and some chamomile tea
Hour 5: Getting ready for a long post-meal snooze
I didn’t go to sleep right away, though — Singapore partnered with Canyon Ranch for some wellness enhancements for this special flight, and the company’s CEO told us that it’s best to give yourself a couple of hours to digest before hitting the hay. That’s more or less impossible to pull off on a six-hour redeye, but with another 14+ hours left to go after our first Singapore 21 feast, delaying sleep a little bit longer felt like an entirely reasonable request.
Don’t let me spoil the video for you, though — be sure to catch the clip up above before you go. Then, for more on the world’s longest flight, see:
NEW INCREASED OFFER: 60,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,200
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.