United launches longest flight to or from US, from LA to Singapore

[LOS ANGELES] United Airlines on Friday was set to launch the longest non-stop flight to or from the United States, a 14,000km journey connecting Los Angeles and Singapore.

The nearly 18-hour flight will depart Los Angeles at 9.25 pm local time and will land on Sunday in Singapore at 6.20 am local time.

United officials said the daily service will be the longest non-stop flight from the US to anywhere in the world.

Previously, the record was held by Qantas, which operates an 13,800km flight between Dallas and Sydney, as well as United's San Francisco-Singapore route (13,600km) launched last year.

Both of United's Los Angeles and San Francisco routes are operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft that can accomodate some 250 passengers.

David Hilfman, United's senior vice-president of Worldwide Sales, said the new route will consolidate the airline's position in Asia, with Singapore a key destination for business travelers.

AFP