Singapore's Nonstop Flight to Los Angeles Launches November 2
Wednesday morning, Singapore Airlines quietly confirmed plans to launch a nonstop flight from Changi Airport (SIN) to Los Angeles (LAX) this year. The flight was loaded to SQ's booking system without much fanfare, with paid and award flights available to book beginning today.
The Los Angeles route will launch on November 2 — coincidentally just a few days after United terminates its nonstop service — flying from SIN to LAX as Singapore Flight 38. SQ's LAX flight will launch roughly a month after the airline resumes nonstop service to Newark (EWR) — once again the world's longest flight.
The airline's new Airbus A350-900ULR will operate on Friday, Sunday and Wednesday for its first week, moving to daily service on November 9. Then, in an exciting twist, a second ULR will fly to Los Angeles each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday beginning on December 7, with a total of 10 flights in each direction every week.
All 10 flights will be operated by the two-class A350-900ULR, which offers 67 business-class seats and 94 premium economy seats. There isn't an economy cabin on this particular aircraft — considering the super-long-haul nature of this route, which would be quite uncomfortable in coach, the airline felt that two premium cabins would offer the best return.
Business-class fares are available starting at $4,700 round-trip, including on the inaugural flight from Los Angeles:
Premium economy will run you $1,550 and up round-trip, which is arguably quite reasonable considering you'll have an experience akin to domestic first class:
Premium economy travelers even have a unique opportunity to book a very special single seat, as JT Genter experienced during a factory tour in June.
Business class is quite comfortable as well — it's the same product currently flying on the airline's "regular" A350s.
Miraculously, award availability appears to be quite good — there are even two saver business-class seats available to book on the inaugural flight from LAX.
I've found Singapore's premium-economy saver availability to be exceptional in general — that seems to be the case for this LAX flight as well. But considering you can book a lie-flat business-class seat for just 23,000 more KrisFlyer miles, I'd definitely splurge on this ultra-long-haul flight.
KrisFlyer partners with all four transferrable currencies — Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou and Starwood Preferred Guest, though transfers from that latter program could change once the new Marriott program kicks in later this summer.
Singapore Airlines will also be increasing the frequency of its current daily flight to San Francisco (SFO), with three extra flights per week beginning on November 28. Singapore 33 will arrive at SIN early in the morning, just ahead of United Flight 1, which operates daily from SFO.
Interestingly, Singapore 33 and 34 will be operated by the A350-900ULR as well, even though the regular -900 can easily make the trip today. That decision likely has more to do with the aircraft's configuration than its range — with an early morning arrival, this new flight will clearly appeal most to business travelers, who are more likely to book biz class and premium-economy seats. Singapore Airlines will continue operating its one-stop flight via Hong Kong (HKG).
Singapore will also continue flying from LAX to Tokyo (NRT), though the airline's flight from Los Angeles to Seoul (ICN), operated by a 777-300ER, will be discontinued after November 30. After that date, customers looking to experience Singapore Airlines' first class will need to route via Tokyo, or book a business-class ticket on the new nonstop flight to SIN, instead.
