SIA to relaunch direct flights to US with long-haul variant of A350

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) has signed an agreement to be launch customer for a new ultra long range variant of the Airbus A350, which will see it resume direct services to the US.

SIA has 63 A350-900s on order and seven of these will be upgraded to the A350-900ULR. It is also converting four options into firm orders for four A350 planes.

Delivery for the ultra long haul planes will take place in 2018. They will be fitted with all new cabin products now under development.

Besides Los Angeles (LA) and New York City (NYC), additional points in the US are also being considered.

SIA pulled the plug on direct flights to NYC and LA in 2013 due to soft demand and high fuel prices.