Launch customer Singapore Airlines introduces Airbus’ highly-efficient jetliner on the world’s longest commercial route
Singapore Airlines has ushered in a new generation of long-haul travel with its first A350-900 Ultra Long Range (ULR), which is now being operated on the world’s longest commercial route – Singapore-New York – covering a distance of nearly 9,000 nautical miles.
The A350-900ULR’s extended range is up to 9,700 nautical miles (18,000 km.), incorporating a modified fuel system that increases the aircraft’s fuel carrying capacity by 24,000 litres without the need for additional fuel tanks.
Singapore Airlines has ordered seven A350-900ULRs, which also will be deployed on non-stop routes from Singapore to Los Angeles and San Francisco. These aircraft will join the carrier’s growing fleet of A350 XWBs, which are used primarily on long-haul flights.
A better experience for passengers and crew alike
With a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 280 tonnes, the A350-900ULR is capable of flying over 20 hours non-stop, combining the highest levels of passenger and crew comfort (including an additional rest area for cockpit and cabin crews) with unbeatable economics for such distances.
As with the other models in the A350 XWB Family, A350-900ULR has a wide cabin with more personal space and the quietest interior noise levels of any twin-aisle jetliner. In addition, the cabin altitude is optimised at the equivalent of 1,800 metres above sea level (25 percent less than in aluminium-fuselage aircraft). This, combined with the latest draft-free air conditioning system, leads to a less dry cabin environment and reduces passenger fatigue.
The A350 XWB also features an advanced temperature management system that allows settings to be controlled more precisely by zones in the cabin and crew areas. And a state-of-the-art ambient LED lighting system capable of producing over 16 million colour combinations enables realistic simulations of different times of the day, such as sunrise or sunset, helping passengers to acclimatise to different time zones.
A platform for success
Airbus’ Ultra Long Range A350 XWB builds on the success of its A350 XWB – the newest and most modern widebody aircraft family, incorporating the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and emissions, and significantly lower maintenance costs.
The A350 XWB features the Airspace by Airbus cabin, which brings enhanced comfort and well-being on long flights. The aircraft has the quietest cabin of any twin-aisle widebody and features the latest environmental control and mood lighting systems, as well as the latest in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi systems.
