Singapore will be reconnected with Los Angeles later this year, when United Airlines launches one of the world’s longest air routes.

There have been no non-stop flights between the two cities since Singapore Airlines suspended its service in 2013. But from 27 October 2017, United will commence daily direct flights on the Singapore-LAX route. This follows the launch of the airline’s Singapore-San Francisco service in 2016.

“United is making travel to Singapore easier and even more convenient than ever before and customers arriving to Los Angeles will have multiple opportunities to connect to hundreds of United destinations in the US, Canada and Latin America,” said Dave Hilfman, United’s senior vice president of worldwide sales. “Our commitment to our Los Angeles hub is more than 50 years strong and with today’s new Singapore service announcement, we continue to strengthen our position as the leading US carrier to Asia.”

Under the new schedule, United flight UA37 will depart LAX at 2055 daily and arrive in Singapore at 0650 two days later. The return flight, UA38, will take off from Singapore’s Changi Airport at 1100 and arrive back in Los Angeles at 1015 the same day. The flights cross the International Date Line.

The flying times will be just under 18 hours westbound and slightly over 15 hours eastbound, and the total distance of 14,114km makes it one of the world’s longest air routes – only exceeded by the Doha-Auckland and Dubai-Auckland services operated by Qatar Airways and Emirates respectively. It will also be the longest flight operated by any US airline, and the longest route flown by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

“We are proud that United Airlines will set a new record for the longest non-stop route by a domestic carrier right here at LAX. This historic route to Singapore will bring more flights, tourists and economic growth to Los Angeles,” said Deborah Flint, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports.

United will deploy its larger 252-seat 787-9 Dreamliner on the route, offering 48 seats in business class and 204 in economy, including 88 premium economy seats.

World’s longest air routes

Doha-Auckland (Qatar Airways)        –    14,536km
Dubai-Auckland (Emirates)                –    14,201km
Los Angeles-Singapore (United)        –    14,114km
Sydney-Dallas (Qantas)                       –    13,804km