United Airlines to launch only Singapore-US non-stop flight

SINGAPORE - United Airlines  announced on Friday (Jan 29) that it plans to introduce daily non-stop flights between Singapore's Changi Airport and San Francisco International Airport starting June 3, 2016, subject to government approval.

This will be the only non-stop service to the US from Singapore, after Singapore Airlines (SIA) discontinued the world's longest non-stop service from Singapore to New York in 2013, and also stopped flying direct to Los Angeles that year. However, SIA said last year that it plans to revive their direct flights to US in 2018.

According to a statement from United, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will be used to operate the new service.

The aircraft features a total of 252 seats - 48 in BusinessFirst and 204 in Economy, including 88 Economy Plus seats with added legroom and increased personal space.

If approved, the Singapore-San Francisco service will be the longest scheduled 787 flight operated by any airline and the longest scheduled flight operated by any US carrier, at 13,593 kilometers.

The flight will depart Singapore's Changi Airport at 8.45 am daily, arriving at San Francisco International Airport at 9.15 am (local time) the same day.

The return flight will depart San Francisco at 11.25pm daily, arriving in Singapore at 6.45am (local time) two days later.

Flying times will be approximately 15 hours, 30 minutes eastbound and 16 hours, 20 minutes westbound.

With the launch of the non-stop Singapore-San Francisco service, United will terminate service between Singapore and Tokyo/Narita effective June 2, 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 cities in the US. United will maintain its daily service between Singapore and Hong Kong.

candicec@sph.com.sg