On March 30, 2025, Singapore Airlines operated the last flight connecting Singapore and Houston in the US via Manchester. Operated by the A350-900, the longest one-stop flight spanned 18,544 km and linked three continents in a single ticket.
The ultimate flight SQ52 took off from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) at 02:54 local time and arrived in Manchester at 08:04 local time. Following a two-hour turnaround, the A350 departed Manchester at 12:05 before arriving at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) at 16:10 local time.
This marked the end of a 17-year operation on this route. In 2008, the flight had a stopover in Moscow, which was strategically positioned to attract energy-sector travelers.
Moreover, in 2016, this was shifted to Manchester to connect key global cities. Each way, the journey covered 18,544 km, making it the longest one-stop flight route in the world. By 2023, this route approximated 46,000 round-trip passengers.
New Longest One-Stop Flight
Currently, the longest non-stop route is operated by Aircalin, which connects Noumea (NOU) to Paris via Bangkok (BKK). Launched in December 2023, this route is operated by the Airbus A330-900, and it takes around 25 hours and 30 minutes to cover the 9,514 nautical miles.
Singapore Airlines will continue to serve Manchester Airport with 5 weekly nonstop flights, despite discontinuing the Houston extension. As a result, this has increased seat capacity in the Singapore-Manchester route, offering direct travel between Singapore and Northwest England.
However, this operational shift has made Houston loose one of its six Asian connections. Singapore Airlines hasn’t detailed the reasons for discontinuing this service. Analysts suggest that this is a restructuring effort, enhancing operational efficiency.
Moreover, passengers who opted for this route to travel between Singapore and Houston will now need to consider alternative travel options. Travelers need to stay updated on route changes to plan their travel accordingly. Moving forward, the Changi-based carrier will continue to respond to shifting travel demand and adapt accordingly.
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