World English : Travel

Airlines are pushing boundaries* to connect far-flung* global cities every year. The longest flight in the world, currently flown by Singapore Airlines, is proof. For travelers who want to visit loved ones—not to mention frequent fliers looking for new ways to earn and burn* miles and points—this 19-hour journey from John F. Kennedy is a gem in the crown of ultra-long-haul travel. But even in first and business class, the prospect of such a long journey can be daunting. To see what the experience was really like, I recently hopped on Singapore Airlines’ nonstop route from New York to Singapore. On Singapore’s specially designed Airbus A350-900ULR (ultra long range) I was seated in business class, which takes up most of the plane (premium economy occupies the back third of the aircraft—in a merciful move, the airline opted to not offer traditional economy class on such a long journey). True to Singapore's style, there were plenty of comfortable touches. Likewise, there were things I wish I knew about before, and would plan ahead for in the future. From the in-flight menu to the best seats in the house, this is exactly what it's like on the longest flight in the world, plus what to know before boarding it yourself. VOCAB Pushing boundaries : Acting in a way that goes beyond what's established or expected. Far-flung : Distant, far away, remote. Burn : Spend. Gem in the crown : Something of great value among other valuable things.

Gearing up* for a flight that stretches 19 hours takes mental preparation. I started by thinking about how I planned to spend time on board and what I wanted to do when I landed—and slowly adjusting my sleep pattern days before the flight. Once on board, I settled into my seat, which is one of the widest business class thrones in the sky. I prepared my new home, laying out what I’d need during the flight and finding all the charging ports. The amenity kit* and lavatories have some thoughtful products like a wrinkle-reducing spray for clothes (important after a long flight). Because this flight departs in the evening, some people opted* to change into pajamas or loose-fitting clothing to help them get better rest—I committed to the spray. Donning Pierre Balmain-designed sarong kebayas, flight attendants introduce themselves while I perused* the nearly 1,000 entertainment options. The crew addresses every passenger by their last name, and by the end of the flight, they have memorized every passenger, even as they say goodbye one by one at the departure door. Gearing up : Preparing for. Amenity kit : A collection of useful or comforting items for travelers - body wipes, headphones, mints, wrinkle-reducing spray (mentioned in the article), etc. Opt (to) : To make a choice. Peruse : To read something in a careful or thorough way.

After takeoff, it was time for drinks and a movie. Singapore flight attendants are masters at the craft of hospitality. Wine and Champagne are poured at the seat with an explanation of the vineyard and how each pairs well with dishes from the menu. The multi-course meal was served with great fanfare and includes appetizers and main dishes from the airline’s partnership menu with Golden Door Spa. Served atop linens and tableware, the impressive meals specifically created for these super-long flights are served course by course. The menu and beverage list (including mocktails, juices, and smoothies) are designed for passengers to choose between more rest or energy before arrival. Some are high in anti-inflammatory properties while others are rich in free radicals and antioxidants. Menu dishes include Hudson Valley-sourced trout with greens from the airline’s own aeroponic farm, or a braised short rib with cornbread pudding. Flight attendants told me that the Singaporean chicken rice is one of the most popular pre-order dishes. Later in the flight, the mood lighting changes, even pulsing a bit at times. It’s all been thoughtfully designed to help ease jet lag as much as possible en route. The bathrooms are immaculate, and flight attendants typically clean them between passengers. Singapore serves a meal after takeoff, but unlike most airlines, the second meal is mid-flight rather than before landing. It’s not a dine on demand service, like Qatar Airways, either. This is meant to follow peoples’ body clocks, but may interrupt your sleep. Midway through the flight, the lights come on, and flight attendants (still as immaculate as after takeoff) present another multi-course meal service. The airline’s famous satay and peanut sauce arrived with great fanfare, which was enough to make me feel ok about having to get up in the middle of my sleep. After that, there is no other formal meal service, but the crew can deliver a range of menu items like sandwiches, soups, and salads, at any time. Luckily, this presents another chunk of time for sleeping: On the 19-hour flight, I slept for 11 hours in varying intervals, in large thanks to the meticulous turn down with linens and pillows.

Singapore Airlines has two flights a day from the New York area (JFK and Newark). Technically, the JFK flight is just a bit longer at two miles more than Newark (9,527 miles versus 9,525). The Singapore flight from JFK leaves in the evening, which means you can eat and then sleep hours after takeoff without needing to reset your internal clock. About halfway through the flight, you can wake up and enjoy more food, movies, and drinks (or catch up on work). Since the flight is so long, you still have time for another several hours of sleep before landing in Singapore in the morning, with the whole day ahead of you. When departing Newark, the flight leaves in the morning. This means the reverse is true: you’re up for at least the first half of the flight and then naturally ready to sleep after that. But because the Newark flight lands in the evening, you probably don't want to sleep much mid-flight if you hope to rest on arrival. My tips? Ask before takeoff for the exact meal service timing to mentally prepare your own sleeping and eating timetable. Also, don’t forget about Singapore’s Book the Cook service that allows you to order your preferred dish before takeoff. You’ll be able to select from more than a dozen options, which is more than what is offered on board. Lobster Thermidor? Thai or Indian curry dishes? Laksa soup? It’s all on offer (including for premium economy passengers), but only if you choose in advance. Trending Stories If you’re curious about the menu, the airline makes it available within the reservation page online about one week before departure. There’s also unlimited, free Wi-Fi for business class passengers. If I had known, I wouldn’t have downloaded so much work in advance, but I was grateful for the option to stay productive. If you are flying premium economy, you’ll want to choose one of the solo window seats at the very back of the plane, which have extra space due to the curvature of the aircraft. But act fast: there are only six. Luckily, in business class, all seats are in a 1-2-1 configuration with maximum privacy. Some travelers will prefer making a stop somewhere rather than such a long flight, but Singapore Airlines has a highly sought after product. On several days this summer, the cheapest roundtrip airfare was about $2,700 in premium economy and $6,600 in business class. But, don’t be surprised to see the premium cabin reach into the five-digit range on many dates of the year. On the longest flight in the world, many fliers may want to trade cash for decent rest and more time at their destination. After all, that’s the benefit of a nonstop ultra-long-haul flight.