Singapore Airlines now offers the world's longest flight, with the launch of a new direct service from Singapore's Changi Airport to New York's Newark Liberty International. The distance of 16,700 kilometres and flight time of around 18 hours eclipses the world's previous longest flight, a direct Qatar Airways service from Doha to Auckland. The Singapore to New York leg, which takes off on Oct 11, is expected to take 17 hours and 50 minutes, and the return trip is 18 hours and 30 minutes.
The time passengers spend on board will be mitigated by the fact that they will be travelling in relative comfort - only business class or premium economy seats are available. Tickets are a relative bargain, costing from Dh7,000 return including taxes.
Singapore Airlines had previously operated the route until 2013 using Airbus 340-500s, which only carried 100 customers. The airline is now using the an Airbus A350-900 aircraft with 161 seats, 92 fewer than the company's usual seat count on the same aircraft. This means more space for passengers and a cabin divided into business class and premium economy only. In the business class section, there are 67 flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration at the front. At the back are 94 premium economy seats, with an eight-inch recline and a seat pitch of 38 inches.
Airbus has gained the ability to fly the extra distance by using lightweight carbon composites and re-arranging the fuel system on board the aircraft, pumping more jet fuel into the tanks in the wings. Increased efficiency means it can operate the route on 270 gallons of fuel per passenger, around half the previous amount.
The airline says the aircraft offers increased cabin pressure to offer passengers more oxygen on board, less noise and LED lighting to help combat jet lag. It is offering several service enhancements to offset the time on board, including a "wellness menu" of healthy food and more than 200 hours of on-board entertainment.
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Read more:
New world's longest flight: Singapore Airlines to fly direct to New York
Boeing 777X: The aircraft UAE residents could soon fly on moves a step closer
Airbus to offer passengers beds to sleep in the cargo hold
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Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
MEFCC information
Tickets range from Dh110 for an advance single-day pass to Dh300 for a weekend pass at the door. VIP tickets have sold out. Visit www.mefcc.com to purchase tickets in advance.
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
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Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Abramovich London
A Kensington Palace Gardens house with 15 bedrooms is valued at more than £150 million.
A three-storey penthouse at Chelsea Waterfront bought for £22 million.
Steel company Evraz drops more than 10 per cent in trading after UK officials said it was potentially supplying the Russian military.
Sale of Chelsea Football Club is now impossible.
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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Napoleon
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Company%20profile
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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