Singapore Airlines Changes A350-900ULR Flying

Singapore Airlines is giving Los Angeles a taste of what ultra-long-range flying can look like next spring with an A350-900ULR change.

The Changi-based airline is deploying its A350-900ULR, fitted with an all-premium layout, on flights between its hub and Los Angeles between late March and the end of April 2027.

The changes mean the standard A350-900 service will be swapped for the highly specialised ULR model, which is more frequently used on the ULR route to New York.

Singapore Airlines Tweaks New York

In the latest schedule update, flagged by aeroroutes.com, Singapore Airlines has switched the flight pair of SQ36/35 to the A350-900ULR on operations from 28 March 2027 through 30 April 2027.

As a consequence during that window, SQ36 will depart Changi at 1840 for an arrival into Los Angeles at 1910 while the westbound SQ35 will leave Los Angeles at 2055 and reach Singapore at 0515 just two days later.

The other rotation, however, SQ38/37 will see the standard long-haul configuration of the A350-900 operated with this departing Singapore at 2045 for a 2150 arrival into Los Angeles when flying eastbound. The return departed Los Angeles at 2330 for a 0740 arrival into Singapore two days later.

This means that three of the ten weekly non-stops offered by the airline will be operated by its unique ULR variant, which features an all-premium layout.

What Makes The A350-900ULR Different?

For Singapore Airlines, the A350-900ULR has since its launch become a specialized derivative of the baseline A350-900, with the airline and planemaker working closely to create a platform capable of reopening ultra-long routes.

Previously, the Changi-based carrier served markets such as Singapore to New York on its four-engine A340s, but these routes were then dropped when they became uneconomic. The ULR has achieved its extra range through a modified fuel system that increases capacity without new fuel tanks.

The extra fuel and combined maximum takeoff weight has allowed Singapore Airlines to serve sectors that extend up to 18 or 19 hours to the likes of New York with comfortable reserves. All that is complemented by the carbon composite fuselage and other optimised wings standard on the A350-900.

Airbus and Singapore Airlines keeping the ULR standard has meant the jet sits seamlessly in its fleet plan and makes piloting and maintenance far simpler currently and as the planes begin to age.

It’s, however, inside the aircraft where the difference is noticeable. Singapore’s A350-900ULR is configured with just 161 seats and in two cabins with the complete elimination of economy. Instead, there are 67 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout and 94 premium economy seats in a 2-4-2 and 1-4-1 arrangement.

With no economy cabin, the jet has been directly pitched as an ultra-long-haul jet that will generate strong yields thanks to its high proportion of premium seats, with a cabin that supports rest and movement.

In comparison, Qantas’ upcoming A350-1000ULR Project Sunrise flight will surpass what Singapore Airlines is doing with its A350ULR. However, the Australian flag-carrier is still choosing to include Economy for fear that, without its customer base, it would be priced out of the final frontier of travel.

The A350ULR at Singapore Airlines also drops the total capacity by nearly 100 seats, with that trade-off being range and an additional premium cabin found across its ultra-long-haul routes like New York. A temporary switch to Los Angeles showcases the premium setting and the flexibility still available to the airline with the Airbus widebody.