Why Does The World's Longest Flight Not Have Economy Class?

Summary Singapore Airlines offers ultra-long-haul non-stop flights to Newark and JFK, targeting high-paying passengers. Operating without an economy class cabin on these flights eliminates excess weight concerns. Passenger comfort, market demands, and operational considerations influence the carrier's decision to offer limited seating classes on these unique routes.

Singapore Airlines launched its ultra-long-haul services to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in June 2004. The carrier first deployed its Airbus A340-500s on the route, but the service was suspended in November 2013 and the aircraft returned to Airbus. Then, in October 2018, Singapore Airlines resumed its non-stop service to Newark, this time with a sub-fleet of specially configured A350-900ULRs (ULR = Ultra Long Range).

In November 2020, the airline went on to begin non-stop services to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), also with the A350-900ULR. With the re-launch of flights in 2018, Singapore Airlines' stole Qatar Airways' crown by operating the world's longest commercial flight.

The oneworld member's non-stop service between Doha (DOH) and Auckland (AKL) had previously been the world's longest flight, followed by Qantas' flights between Perth (PER) and London Heathrow (LHR). One curious feature is that neither the Airbus A340-500s nor the A350-900ULRs deployed by Singapore Airlines on its services to and from New York feature economy class seating. Why does the carrier operate ser.