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

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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

The business class seat.

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.

Singapore Airlines A350-900.

KITTIKUN YOKSAP/Shutterstock

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.

Singapore A350.

BoeingMan777/Shutterstock

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.

Flying Air New Zealand in business class.

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

Taylor Rains/Insid

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.

The Singapore A350-900ULR.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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.

The bridge to the Jewel at Changi International Airport.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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.

The check in area for Singapore Airlines at Changi airport.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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.

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

Taylor Rains/Insider

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

Me holding my business class ticket and passport.

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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.

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.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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

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

Taylor Rains/Insider

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

Me sitting by the pool at Aerotel before my flight.

Me sitting by the pool at Aerotel before my flight.

Taylor Rains/Insider

…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.

The free movie theater was showing Encanto during my visit.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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 entrance to the SilverKris lounge.

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.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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 before heading to my gate.

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.

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

Taylor Rains/Insider

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 the July 4 holiday

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

SOPA Images/Getty Images

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.

The waiting room with orange and red chairs.

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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.

The giant purple business class seat.

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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.

A view of the seat from above.

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.

Me sitting crisscross on the seat.

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

My small duffle only shared an overhead bin with one other small backpack.

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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…

The giant TV with hundreds of entertainment options.

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Source: Singapore Airlines

…plush linens…

The linens on my seat when it was converted into a bed.

We were given three pillows and a plush blanket.

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…USB ports and a universal power outlet…

The USB port and power outlet were to the left of my head, along with a cubby.

Taylor Rains/Insider

…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.

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.

Taylor Rains/Insider

…a handheld remote to control the inflight entertainment…

The remote in its storage position next to a blue amenity kit.

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

Taylor Rains/Insider

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

The tray table pulled out.

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…a mirror and coat hook…

The mirror next to a shelf.

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

I stored my medicine and electronic cords in the cubby.

This is where I stored medicine and my electronic cords.

Taylor Rains/Insider

…one in the back left corner of the seat…

My laptop in the cubby to the left of my head.

Taylor Rains/Insider

…one on the floor under the bed…

My laptop in the cubby below the bed.

The cubby below the bed could easily fit my laptop.

Taylor Rains/Insider

…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.

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

Taylor Rains/Insider

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.

One of the seats in the row behind me.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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

The two seats in the middle section can be separated with a divider.

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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 A380 business class.

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.

The brown eye mask, socks, and slippers.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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

My mimosa on a shelf.

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.

I was given nuts and wine before the dinner service.

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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.

The lunch menu.

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

The salmon dish with capers on top.

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

My beef dish with spinach 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.

The bread, oil, and butter that comes with the appetizer.

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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.

The fruit and cheesecake desserts.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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

Flying Air New Zealand in business class.

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

Taylor Rains/Insider

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

Jack Black as the "map guy" in Jumanji: The Next Level.

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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.

The inflight WiFi instruction card.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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.

The huge space on the bottom half of the bed area.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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.

The lever on the tray table to adjust it up and down.

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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.

Me with my legs stretched out into the nook.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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.

There was a seatbelt in case of turbulence.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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.

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

Taylor Rains/Insider

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

There is a lever behind the seat to pull. The space also holds the linens.

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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.

Flying Air New Zealand in business class.

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.

I left the seat in the bed position and sat upright on the bed to work.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

The halibut dish with spinach and potatoes.

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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.

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

Taylor Rains/Insider

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.

The "floating island" egg white dome with almonds and vanilla custard.

Taylor Rains/Inside

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

The front half of the bed with the mattress pad.

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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.

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.

The small shelves with toiletries in the lavatory.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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

Tea, water, a granola bar, and a kitkit.

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.

The seat viewed from the TV, with the business class menu in the corner cubby.

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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.

Me sitting in the business class seat.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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.

A view of the two rows in front of mine.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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