The world's longest flight is returning to the skies, and this time it's going to fly even further.
Singapore Airlines has announced the resumption of flights from its home base at Changi Airport to New York. Previously, the airline operated from Singapore to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Now, it's set to fly into John F Kennedy International Airport – a move that adds 33 kilometres and 10 minutes of airtime on to what was already the world's longest commercial flight.
Flights will resume on Monday, November 9, operated via an Airbus A350-900 long-range aircraft. The Singapore to New York route, which will operate three times a week, clocks in at 18 hours and five minutes of flight time.
The reverse, which will first depart JFK airport on Wednesday, November 11, is longer, with a flight time of 18 hours and 40 minutes.
“Operating these flights between Singapore and New York’s JFK International Airport represent an important step in the rebuilding of our global network. Non-stop ultra-long services are the bedrock of our services to the key US market," said Lee Lik Hsin, executive vice president of commercial for Singapore Airlines.
Where will the passengers come from?
Flights will have Business, Premium Economy and Economy class cabins, but until travel restrictions ease, it's unclear how many passengers will be booking a ticket on the world's longest service.
Currently, Singapore is only open for citizens, transit passengers and those with special permission. Short-term visitors from any country are not allowed entry. And in New York, any travellers who are approved to fly to the country must quarantine for 14 days if coming from a destination where the pandemic is at Level 2 or 3.
The service is likely to excel when it comes to cargo operations. That's because it will be the only non-stop air cargo link from the northern US to Singapore. The airline says it expects "significant cargo demand from a range of industries based in the New York metro area, including pharmaceuticals, e-commerce and technology firms".
The airline originally cancelled its Singapore to New York service in March as part of its decision to ground about 138 aircrafts, out of a total fleet of 147, due to the global pandemic.
Australian airline Qantas had been planning to take the title for the world's longest flight away from Singapore Airlines in 2023. Last year, as part of Project Sunrise, Qantas flew test research flights from Australia to New York and London with journey times of just under 20 hours apiece. Since then, the airline has postponed the project indefinitely due to the pandemic.
PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP
Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)
Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
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3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
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What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is the most popular virtual currency in the world. It was created in 2009 as a new way of paying for things that would not be subject to central banks that are capable of devaluing currency. A Bitcoin itself is essentially a line of computer code. It's signed digitally when it goes from one owner to another. There are sustainability concerns around the cryptocurrency, which stem from the process of "mining" that is central to its existence.
The "miners" use computers to make complex calculations that verify transactions in Bitcoin. This uses a tremendous amount of energy via computers and server farms all over the world, which has given rise to concerns about the amount of fossil fuel-dependent electricity used to power the computers.
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
