I flew on the world’s longest flight in business class and thought the 18-hour trip from Singapore to New York was nearly flawless

Taylor Rains/Insider

• Singapore Airlines operates the world’s longest flight by distance, which journeys between Singapore and New York.
• The carrier uses an Airbus A350-900ULR, or ultra-long-range, jet for the over 9,500-mile route.
• I recently made the trek in business class — here’s what the nearly 18-hour flight was like.

Singapore Airlines operates the world’s longest flight by distance, journeying over 17 hours from the island nation to New York-JFK, and a whopping 19 hours on the way back.

Singapore Airlines A350-900.

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The 10 longest routes in the world flown by airlines, ranked by distance

The trek stretches 9,537 miles — just two miles longer than the world’s second-longest flight, which is also operated by Singapore and flies to the neighboring Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

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After having flown on the world’s fourth longest flight on Air New Zealand in September at about 8,800 miles, I decided it was time to tackle Singapore’s record-breaking leg.

Air New Zealand’s business class product on its Boeing 787.

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I flew from New York to Auckland on the world’s 4th longest flight. Here are the 6 coolest things on the Boeing 787 used for the 17 hour journey.

I flew in business class on the airline’s Airbus A350-900ULR widebody jet, which is the ultra-long-range variant — here’s what it was like.

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Check out the special $317 million Airbus jet that Singapore Airlines uses on the longest flight in the world

My journey started at Singapore’s Changi International Airport at around 9:30 a.m. for my 12:35 p.m. departure.

The bridge to the Jewel at Changi International Airport.

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I flew out of Terminal 3, which was ginormous with plenty of check-in desks and a Starbucks.

The check in area for Singapore Airlines at Changi airport.

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While I was automatically checked into my flight on Singapore Airlines’ app, I still had to retrieve my boarding pass from the ticket counter.

The business class check in area for Singapore at Changi airport.

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Fortunately, since I was flying business class I had access to a dedicated queue and was on my way in no time.

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Unlike most international airports, Changi does not have security until passengers are at the gate. Instead, I cleared passport control and entered the transit area.

There is a sign before entering passport control that tells people it’s an offense to enter the transit area if you don’t plan to actually travel.

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Singapore’s famous transit area is what makes it one of the world’s best airports. Here, travelers can explore high-end stores like Louis Vuitton…

Louis Vuitton is the grand entrance to the transit area from Terminal 3 departures.

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…take a dip in the swimming pool at Terminal 1’s Aerotel…

Me sitting by the pool at Aerotel before my flight.

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…or see a film at Terminal’s 3 free movie theater. The shows play 24/7 and rotate depending on the season.

The free movie theater was showing Encanto during my visit.

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After exploring Changi, which feels more like a mall than an airport, I headed to the airline’s new SilverKris business class lounge for a bite to eat.

The lounges are Singapore’s recent $50 billion investment into its airport experience. There is a separate lounge for first class, which includes a sleeping room.

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The space was huge and comfortable, but I didn’t have too much time to spend before needing to head to Gate B9.

I enjoyed some Laksa at the lounge.

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This is where I had to clear security, and an officer instructed me to remove my laptop from my bag and take off my shoes. The process was quick, though there was no dedicated line for business class.

The start to the security line at gate b9 before my flight.

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I liked having security just before the gate because the crowds were limited to just that flight — no battling hundreds of other travelers at TSA in the US.

Travelers make their way through a TSA screening line at Orlando International Airport ahead of Fourth of July weekend on July 1.

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After security, I was guided into a special room where I waited about 30 minutes before boarding the jet. Business class passengers were the first group to board.

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I quickly made my way to my window seat on the A350 aircraft — 21A — which would be my personal living room for nearly 18 hours on the world’s longest flight.

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I was immediately impressed by the size and comfort of the giant lounger, which offers 68 inches of pitch and 28 inches of width.

The bulkhead seats have even more legroom.

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Source: SeatGuru

I easily had enough legroom, and I could even cross my legs on the chair comfortably.

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I also liked that there was more than enough overhead bin space for both my suitcase and small duffle bag.

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After I got settled, I started touring the seat. There are 42 recliners in business, where passengers can enjoy myriad amenities, like a giant 18-inch seatback TV…

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Source: Singapore Airlines

…plush linens…

We were given three pillows and a plush blanket.

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…USB ports and a universal power outlet…

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…several lighting options over the bed, like for reading or eating…

There were three different lighting options to the right of my head, as well as a bigger light to the left next to the power ports.

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…a handheld remote to control the inflight entertainment…

The remote could be pulled out of the storage slot for easier use.

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…an adjustable tray table, which can be moved backward, forward, up, and down…

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…a mirror and coat hook…

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…and ample storage. There were several cubbies, including one beside the TV…

This is where I stored medicine and my electronic cords.

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…one in the back left corner of the seat…

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…one on the floor under the bed…

The cubby below the bed could easily fit my laptop.

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…and one in the left armrest. I found I had plenty of space to store my pillow, medicine bag, and electronics.

The cubby already had noise-cancelling headphones and a water bottle in it.

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The seats are in a 1x2x1 configuration and have wings to provide plenty of privacy, especially for the window seats.

One of the seats in the row behind me.

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Though, the middle rows have a divider between the two to separate solo travelers.

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The product is different from Singapore’s Airbus A380 business class, which has the option to combine the two middle seats into a double bed. The A350’s are only singles.

Singapore Airlines

The A350 also came with luxury amenities, like socks, lotion, slippers, and a soft eye mask. These items made it easy to get comfortable on the ultra-long-haul journey.

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Before takeoff, the flight attendants — who were all very attentive — brought me a mimosa and took my lunch order.

My mimosa on a shelf.

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The great service continued shortly after takeoff when passengers were served a bowl of nuts and another beverage — I chose wine, which was delicious.

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The three-course lunch service started about 10 minutes later. Singapore has a diverse menu, including black bean chicken, seafood arrabbiata, noodle soup, and braised beef short rib.

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But every meal starts with an appetizer of marinated smoked salmon, served with bread and butter

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Then, the main course is served. I chose the beef dish, which came with sauteed spinach, roasted mushrooms, and potatoes.

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I was impressed with the texture and flavors of both dishes. Singapore’s food and beverage director Antony McNeil told Insider the meals are designed to keep passengers fuller for longer.

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Passengers were also offered more drinks, like beer and soda, as well as offered dessert options. I chose the fruit and the cheesecake, which exceeded expectations, especially since dragon fruit was included — my favorite.

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Honestly, the food was the best inflight meal I’ve ever had — and that’s after flying several other business class products.

The meal on Air New Zealand’s business class (pictured) was very good as well, but I thought Singapore’s shined.

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During lunch, I watched Jumanji: The Next Level, which is one of the hundreds of entertainment options that passengers can choose from.

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Shortly after, my tray table was cleared and I spent a few hours working before trying to sleep. Fortunately, business passengers can access free WiFi, which worked great throughout the flight.

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I napped for four hours thanks to Singapore’s amazing lie-flat seat, which converts into a huge bed where I could lie down, sit up with my legs out, or sit crisscross.

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Moreover, the tray table could be raised up, so I was able to sit upright on the bed and simultaneously work without having to adjust the seat back into its lounger position.

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For sleeping, I could stretch my legs into the corner nook. But, because I like to kick one knee out and lay on my stomach when I sleep, I loved the large space where I could actually spread out.

Me with my legs stretched out into the nook.

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I’ve flown on other business class products where I had no flexibility for sleeping — it was either lay straight on your back or side. I can sleep that way, but not as comfortably.

There was a seatbelt in case of turbulence.

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My only issue with the lounger was that I couldn’t lay it flat with just the touch of a button. I — or a flight attendant — had to flip it down to create the bed, similar to putting the seat down in a car.

The control panel on the A350 business class seat, which could create a cradle position, but not fully lie flat.

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The handle is behind the seat, which is also where the linens are stored.

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This is a very small detail, but at least it isn’t like Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787 business class that requires a flight attendant to lie it flat for travelers.

The Air New Zealand business class bed after being set up by the flight attendant.

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After I woke up, I worked for a few more hours until the next meal service, which was served about seven hours from landing.

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To my surprise, this was another multi-course meal, including chicken satay and prawn salad as appetizers…

The chicken satay appetizer.

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…an option of halibut, fried chicken, ginger beef, or seafood with noodles for the main course…

The midflight menu.

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…and a choice of a chocolate brownie, fruit, a cheese platter, or a “floating island” for dessert.

The fruit and “floating island” desserts.

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I chose the halibut dish, which came with spinach and mashed potatoes. Everything was delicious, though I thought the potatoes had a tangy taste, likely from the juices of the fish.

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I wasn’t a fan of the combination of flavors, but this was the only food on the flight that I didn’t like. The spinach and halibut were great and I would highly recommend them.

We were also served bread and butter during the midflight meal.

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I will say the standout of the entire meal was the “floating island” dessert, which is an egg white dome with almonds and vanilla custard and was hands down the best dessert I’ve ever eaten on a plane.

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After being up for four hours, I took another five-hour nap before waking up about 45 minutes before arrival.

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I noticed throughout the flight that the lighting changes and the different hues helped me relax.

The blue and purple hues shortly before landing in JFK.

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Before landing, I headed to the lavatory, which was nice and clean, and even had toiletries, like a razor and eye cream.

The small shelves with toiletries in the lavatory.

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The flight attendants brought me tea, water, and more fruit as a final snack, though this was on request and not scheduled service.

Passengers could ask for different snacks when hungry during the flight, like tea, water, a granola bar, and a KitKat.

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We touched down right on time. Because I was sitting towards the front of the plane, I was off the jet and through customs in no time.

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Overall, Singapore’s business class was the best airplane experience I’ve ever had. The world’s longest flight went by quickly thanks to the huge, comfortable bed and plethora of entertainment.

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While Insider paid a media rate, the roundtrip price of business class from Singapore to New York ranges from $8,000-$13,000 for February. For those that can afford it, I can imagine the hefty price tag is worth every penny.

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