World's Longest Commercial Flight: SIN-EWR-SIN on SQ's A345

[9V-SIA]

2300h H+12

There Is A Scenic Route

Altitude: 36,942 feet
Ground Speed: 965 mph
Outside temperature: -45° F
Distance Traveled: 7,230 miles
Tail Wind: 37 mph




On this flight, nothing to see outside. Just a blanket of clouds.

But last year, we took a more northerly course...






... and I captured these pictures of the landscape below.

You will notice that I managed to take pictures from several windows.

That's because loads were <50%.

Front cabin full, middle cabin less so, rear cabin..... 3 of us!

[9V-SIA]

2400h H+13

Are We There Yet?

Altitude: 38,940 feet
Ground Speed: 590 mph
Outside temperature: -52° F
Distance Traveled: 7,950 miles
Tail Wind: 41 mph




The cabin is still pitch dark although bright outside. The seat has 3 lights: 1 overhead & 2 side lights

Side lights have 2 settings: for reading & general




Reading lights..







General lighting..






BTW, this was a very good article tracing the 911 Family Tree.. excellent branding & marketing, just like SQ

[9V-SIA]

0100h H+14

Over Vancouver

Altitude: 38,940 feet
Ground Speed: 612 mph
Outside temperature: -54° F
Distance Traveled: 8,306 miles
Tail Wind: 62 mph




So will I see YVR?



YVR!! Great airport. Needs an SQ service.



It's been a few years since I've visited Vancouver but it's nice to fly past at least!

[9V-SIA]

0200h H+15

Big Foot Country

Altitude: 38,943 feet
Ground Speed: 610 mph
Outside temperature: -49° F
Distance Traveled: 9,036 miles
Tail Wind: 48 mph



Feeling peckish, I look at the Light Bites menu.

To Nibble On

Fish ball noodle soup
Noodles in broth served with fish balls and fish cakes

Poached eggs with bacon, sauteed spinach, tomato and roasted potato

Spaghetti pasta with ragout of chicken and fresh shiitake mushroom, cherry tomato

Selection of dim sum
Oriental glutinous rice with chicken, pork dumpling, prawn dumpling and vegetable dumpling

Finale

Gourmet coffees and a selection of fine teas

Decided on dim sum

[9V-SIA]

0300h H+16

Winnepeg

Altitude: 40,431 feet
Ground Speed: 597 mph
Outside temperature: -52° F
Distance Traveled: 9,633 miles
Tail Wind: 39 mph



DVT Prevention

On such a long flight, it is important to stretch your legs to prevent DVT ( deep vein thrombosis ) from developing.

With only 100 pax on board, not many people in the way of a brisk walk down the cabin.

I usually walk short circuit between door 2 and 3.

The longer route between door 1 and 4 will take you through the galleys.

Better than a 77W for walking. On a 77W you can walk up-and-down one aisle only.

Y cabin at the back & F in front block crossing over to the other aisle.

Can only cross aisles at the galley, and it is crowded usually.

[9V-SIA]

0400h H+17

Some Men Have Every Opportunity

Lakes Superior Michigan Huron Erie & Ontario

Altitude: 40,777 feet
Ground Speed: 612 mph
Outside temperature: -54° F
Distance Traveled: 10,184 miles
Tail Wind: 63 mph



Trying to take pictures of the Flight Path at the top of every hour is not as easy as it sounds. Turbulence is one problem.

Take a blurred picture and its approx 4 minutes before you get another chance as the Flight Path cycles through the slides.

So the Flight Path posted is +/- 10 minutes..

And it was a bumpy flight, though it was only bad enough over the Great Lakes that the crew had to sit down

I wonder if it had to do with the tornados that were affecting the mid west

The toilets get busy about now but no more than one person waiting to use it at any one time..

One problem with the toilets is that, when dark, you don't know whether its occupied or vacant. The sign on the door is not illuminated.


But toilets were spotless the entire flight. I was witness to regular "freshen ups" by the crew. Very on the ball crew.

[9V-SIA]

0500h H+18

The Final Lap

Altitude: 20.869 feet
Ground Speed: 469 mph
Outside temperature: 6.8° F
Distance Traveled: 10,766 miles
Tail Wind: 70 mph



Last year, with favorable tailwinds, we were 45 minutes ahead of schedule and had to weave & circle for 20 minutes before landing..



IFE was turned off early so I didn't get pictures of the circling. But it was uncomfortable..



This year, we were on time and were able to land almost immediately. Nice view of the Manhatten skyline on approach..



Right turn to final approach



Final approach







Very, very smooth landing..




Then we had to wait on the ground for our gate to be free.. EWR not a pretty airport but I like



Parked next to this LH 744 last year too..



Only flight at CIQ. Our bags were out early. Great, great flight. Lovely crew too.

This concludes SIN-EWR segment. Will finish EWR-SIN over the weekend

If anyone else has flown this flight, please contribute your experience...

[feb01mel]

Really looking forward to this TR, bring it on!

And thanks for staying up on this entire flight to bring us this exclusive trip report, I wonder has anyone done it besides you...

This got to the TR of the year, 2010!

I feel so far SQflyergirl SIN-MEL on the A380 Suites has topped the chart for Year 2010 so far, let's see if you can beat her super detailed report.....

[9V-JKL]

Firstly, sorry I couldn't make LD#6.

I very much wanted to be there.

Hooray, another 9V-SIA TR. Yeah, we missed your company...

[SQflyergirl]

Just what i needed between flights. A TR on our good ol' golden goose

[Pinkfloyd]

Nice on 9V-SIA! So I figured you didn't beat jet lag considering you were awake for the entire flight??

[9V-SIA]

Really looking forward to this TR, bring it on!
And thanks for staying up on this entire flight to bring us this exclusive trip report...

You are welcome..

...I wonder has anyone done it besides you...

Not one of my smarter decisions, I can tell ya!

I feel so far SQflyergirl SIN-MEL on the A380 Suites has topped the chart for Year 2010 so far, let's see if you can beat her super detailed report.....

Cannot compete. She carries a bigger camera, healthier appetite, nicer legs

Hooray, another 9V-SIA TR. Yeah, we missed your company...

Thanks! There's always a next time

Just what i needed between flights. A TR on our good ol' golden goose

Golden goose, roast duck, chicken rice.. I like them all

Nice on 9V-SIA! So I figured you didn't beat jet lag considering you were awake for the entire flight??

This TR could be titled " How not to fly on the A345 ". Lesson learnt..

[SQflyergirl]

Cannot compete. She carries a bigger camera, healthier appetite, nicer legs

I believe you have it the wrong way around. I have bigger legs, nicer appetite, and a healthier camera.

[aviwil]

Thanks 9V-SIA . Really enjoyed the flight progress maps - especially on a flight like this .

[FN-GM]

Thnaks for your efforts, a good read.