1st Singapore-LAX Non-stop Tomorrow

vulindlela744 · Tue Feb 03, 2004 5:14 am

Tomorrow, February 3rd will be a very historic day for avaition. Singapore Airlines will fly the first revenue flight non-stop from Singapore to Los Angeles. This has never been flown before. It will be the longest non-stop (in terms of time and mileage flown) of any flight in the world. Singapore will use their brand new Airbus A345 for the flight. It is also a historic day for Airbus. They will now be the undisputed long range champ.

Venezuela747 · Tue Feb 03, 2004 9:40 am

I cant believe its here, It was just yesterday when I was tracking the delayed flight from Toulouse to LAX. does anyone know the time of the departure, flight number, frequencies.....all that info would be helpful.

aa61hvy · Tue Feb 03, 2004 9:54 am

I expect people to collapse after they get off the plane after that marathon Wink/being sarcastic

LFutia · Tue Feb 03, 2004 9:54 am

Here's what i got from SIA's website:
SQ 20 Singapore (SIN) 16:00 Los Angeles (LAX) 16:00 Airbus A340-500

Leo/ORD

ConcordeBoy · Tue Feb 03, 2004 10:09 am

They will now be the undisputed long range champ

...for about 23months anyways Laugh out loud

scottysair · Tue Feb 03, 2004 10:27 am

It would be great to hear for SQ and it is begun to longeest range flight tomorrow right in LAX. I think that would be great see first of A345 into LAX soon and get ready for the photographer!! Smile

HNLFlyBoy · Tue Feb 03, 2004 10:31 am

Does anybody know if anything special is being planned for the departure in BKK? Banners at the gate, etc.? How about on arrival at LAX? Maybe water cannons? Or is that reserved for retiring Captains? I am sure that SQ officials will be on board. Anybody from Airbus?

Indeed it is a historic day in commercial aviation history. I only wish I was at LAX to capture it's arrival. I am sure we will see the first pics here on a.net though!

N751PR · Tue Feb 03, 2004 10:40 am

I wish I could make tomorrow from here at AF Plant 42 (PMD / KPMD), USA - California">PMD but I do have lots to do here so I guess count me as a no-show. Crying

KLM11 · Tue Feb 03, 2004 10:53 am

I cant wait!! In just a few months I will be flying CLD-LAX-SIN-MLE-SIN-LAX-CLC. Hmmmmmm ....... it means only one thing .......... Raffels Class!!!!. I dont care how good the economy/premium economy is, I will NOT sit in a small space for 18 Hours!!!!! I WILL pay extra $ for a better seat!! Smile

Safe Flying,

--KLM11

alexchao · Tue Feb 03, 2004 11:31 am

I hope the weather here in LA starts turning better before LeaderShip lands in LAX tomorrow. Its been raining so far, and the forecast include AMshowers.

Lets keep our fingers crossed! =)

[Edited 2004-02-03 03:31:47]

9v-svc · Tue Feb 03, 2004 11:36 am

I am looking forward to the departure, having flew on one, all I can say she is a fantastic plane to fly on, for those who are planning to fly on this route, you will enjoy your flight. Smile

ACB777 · Tue Feb 03, 2004 11:46 am

How long exactly is that flight?

9v-svc · Tue Feb 03, 2004 12:20 pm

ACB777 : Around 18-19 hours of flying.

gigneil · Tue Feb 03, 2004 12:41 pm

Its now well in to the 3rd in Singapore.

What time does the flight leave?

N

BN747 · Tue Feb 03, 2004 12:41 pm

SQ is having some kinda shingdig at LAX tomorrow for sure...

BN747

Spark · Tue Feb 03, 2004 1:39 pm

Flight leaves at 4PM Singapore time (about 90 minutes from when I'm writing this). Its due to arrive at the same time locally in LA (4PM tommorrow). It leaves LA at 8PM and arrives early thursday morning (about a 20hr flight).

Concorde Boy, What flight is going to take its place? I haven't heard of any flight that will take its place, except for the Singapore-Newark flight that starts in July. The only possible flight I could think would beat it, which is a likely city pair, is Sydney/Melbourne to London route. I believe that would be a 9000nm flight, which I think is still too long for today's planes.

BTW, I checked the prices for the a return flight LAX-SIN-LAX SQ19/20. It was $1050, while SQ1/2 was over $3000.

scottysair · Tue Feb 03, 2004 2:28 pm

That is very good price for your trip and are you will able go to SIN on their new A345 aircraft? Maybe I will able flying to SIN someday in the future and will try get goes on the new A345 aircraft. Thanks! Smile

as739x · Tue Feb 03, 2004 2:45 pm

Any idea on the loads the first week?
ASSFO

BN747 · Tue Feb 03, 2004 3:48 pm

The current storm ..there's a pause at the moment..should be gone by mid-day! So the weather will co-operate..it should be sunny by 4pm local! A tad windy, cool (60 degrees) but sunny with a few clouds!

BN747

BN747 · Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:14 pm

This baby should be airborne by now....and it ain't! Uh oh...

BN747

greaser · Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:16 pm

I don't wanna put a damper on this, but is this really a BIG breakthrough? If any airline wants to do it, they can. SIA is prob. the first (acc. to ATW) cause other airlines are waiting and seeing whether this 'leadership' scheme will fly or fail.
Besides, why can't they wait for the 772LR?? aren't they gonna replace the a345 anyway with the 772LR? Sounds economically unfounded, unless they have too much money and too little time to use it!
Finally,
'It is also a historic day for Airbus. They will now be the undisputed long range champ.'
yes, it's a historic day for Airbus, but they wont be the undisputed long range champ!, at least not for long.

hailstone · Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:30 pm

the baby should not be airborne yet - 1600 SIN is 0800 ZULU...., eg another 30 minutes from now

NWFltAttendant · Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:33 pm

All I have to say regarding the undisputed long range champ, just wait for the 772LR.. I just calculated the distance for NBO-DTW (Kenya airways) which is going to start up i believe in 2004, its 7781. The LAX-SIN flight is 8774. So airbus has it for now.

BN747 · Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:34 pm

Hailstone,

It's 2333pm PST here in LA right now...18 hours from now it will be 1733 for a 1600 arrival that's 1 hour and 30 mins late! And it is 18 hours flying time correct?

BN747

SInGAPORE_AIR · Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:45 pm

Ladies and gentleman! This is the Last Call for Flight SQ020. The Inaugural flight between Singapore and Los Angeles - the worlds longest (to be superceded later today (Pacific Standard Time anyway Big grin

).

BN747 · Tue Feb 03, 2004 4:54 pm

LOL!....PST is where shes headed! I hope! Great SQ_Air!

BN747

je89_w · Tue Feb 03, 2004 5:02 pm

She should be in the air pretty soon! Hopefully I can see that bird this summer when I'm in SIN. Smile

BN747 · Tue Feb 03, 2004 5:04 pm

I sure hope so..cuz this storm is GONE! I just let my dog out for a walk..and I can see every star in the sky! It's gonna be a very nice day tomorrow!

BN747

SInGAPORE_AIR · Tue Feb 03, 2004 5:06 pm

Running a bit late now but I don't think they give a damn.

Status of flight: Last Call

And I've got to go to school! Sad

For shame!

alexchao · Tue Feb 03, 2004 5:15 pm

Changi Airport shows departure at 4:14 PM Singapore time.

SHE'S IN THE AIR!!!

-alexchao

Edit: SQ's website shows estimated arrival time at 2:37 PM PST.

[Edited 2004-02-03 09:16:22]

9v-svc · Tue Feb 03, 2004 7:44 pm

I am glad SQ got the A340-500 instead of 777LR . Dont get me wrong here but I am tired to see so many 777s. Anyway, saw the took off, it was quite long but take off was powerful.

BN747 · Tue Feb 03, 2004 7:56 pm

Thanks Alex...it's 3am (PST)...I'm just getting in from...nevermind, so 10 hours and 37 mins to go! And thanks for the confirmation news 9V-SVC, but it's great it may get here early and the skies here are sparkling clear!

BN747

garuda · Tue Feb 03, 2004 10:37 pm

I was in SIN this afternoon together with 9V-SVC and Mr.BA. The Departure area in T2 was decorated with two giant posters (identical to each other) on the front and the back wall of the terminal, depicting the Singapore Girls and the wording saying the longest flight in the world in A345Leadership (sorry, I don't remember the exact wording).

There were several baloons on Row 5 (where the pax of SQ020 checked-in) and a banner (which was largely covered by the baloons, I had to squat to see the wording) which said "SQ020 First Non Stop Flight on A345Leadership". That's all... a bit of dissapointment in my personal opinion, I was expecting something grander... Hopefully there are some kind of ceremony on the gate itself.

The aircraft (9V-SGA) was parked in Gate F52, take-off was from 20L, took almost the entire runway, but climbed better than any SQ's B777s and B744s.

JA

tsentsan · Tue Feb 03, 2004 10:38 pm

ETA into LAX is 1437 (83 mins early)

Shots are in the queue.... hopefully they'd be up soon.

https://www.airliners.net/addphotos/big/ready/9vsga-lineup-03022004-dsc3879-sin-xx.jpg

HikesWithEyes · Tue Feb 03, 2004 11:24 pm

If I could fly first or business, I would take this flight, but
even on SQ, it sounds too long in economy.
They may have to nickname the flight "DVT" as in deep vein
thrombosis.

DIA · Wed Feb 04, 2004 2:14 am

I just checked the USAToday Flightracker, it says the flight will be 30 minutes late. Now the ETA is 4:30p. No tracking pic though!?

ZRH · Wed Feb 04, 2004 3:12 am

I think such a horrible long flight (18-19 hours) you only can survive in business or first class. I would not take this flight in economy, I rather have a stop-over after 12 hours to stretch my legs.

Greg · Wed Feb 04, 2004 3:23 am

It's a long flight..but let's not kid anyone..it's hardly historic..or evolutionary. Flights of 'nearly' this duration have been going on for a decade. All this next generation of aircraft does is add a few hundred miles to the range...

bongo · Wed Feb 04, 2004 3:29 am

I saw it in the local news today, Even with the comfortable seats in coach (2-3-2), a small bar, window in the toilet, PTV's, etc... I don't want to be inside that beautiful plane for 18 hours !!!

kilavoud · Wed Feb 04, 2004 3:49 am

In a large extent everybody is responsible for making a flight boring or interesting.

My last flight FRA-MAA(Chennai-exMadras), yesterday on February 2nd was a delight of nice contacts and conversations in English, French and Italian with Indians, French and Italian passengers, and even in German with the FAs.

This last flight was very short, only 8 hours because of very strong tail winds, speed up to 1100 km/h. But I use to fly 13 hours and never find it boring.

The choice is yours : to fly like a lone wolf or to fly mixed up with other passengers.

Cheers. Kilavoud.

Espion007 · Wed Feb 04, 2004 4:12 am

i think the real milestone in this flight is the mental endurance of the economy class passengers.Of course economy class like on the aircraft thats airborne right now is hard to find on other airlines,cause its been made to survive long flights like this.Well just see how succesful this flight will be when the economy class passengers stumble out of the jetway in LAX soon. Its tommarow at 3:08AM in singapore,so the passengers have been airborne for about 11 hours now,just past the half-way mark. I wonder how some of them are doing.

DIA · Wed Feb 04, 2004 4:47 am

Must be some headwinds going on. SQ Flight 20 is now almost running an hour late currently. ETA is 4:52p.

At what point would the flight have to refuel, if they cannot make some headway over the next several hours? How long can that A345 stay up there?

BN747 · Wed Feb 04, 2004 5:39 am

...............................Departure ----------------------- Arrival
Airport: SIN - Los Angeles, CA
Scheduled Time: 4:00 PM, Feb 03 ----------------- 4:01 PM, Feb 03
Actual Time:.......3:21 PM, Feb 03 --------------- --4:52 PM, Feb 03 (Estimated)
Status: In air at an altitude of - and ground speed of -
Equipment: A345

321PM Actual Departure???....there's no way this thing left 40 mins early!!! Where is this flight tracker getting it's info???

BN747

Puffy clouds here....but no threat of rain..it will be clear!

scf158 · Wed Feb 04, 2004 5:53 am

To all you A.Net people over there in LA,

Get ur cameras ready!

Cant wait to see the pictures.

Lets see... only 4 or 5 more ours until arrival.

Regards,
scf158

LFutia · Wed Feb 04, 2004 5:56 am

Her new ETA is 1437 -- 100 minutes left of her flight!!

Leo/ORD

gigneil · Wed Feb 04, 2004 6:57 am

According to Flytecomm it left at 4:10 SIN time.

So it was scheduled to arrive at 4:35, but its going to arrive at about 2:32?

That's WAY early, and somewhat impressive.

Can't wait to see how the return trip goes.

Anyone know how many people are aboard?

N

wgw2707 · Wed Feb 04, 2004 7:09 am

I thought the first flight was on the 10th...will there be any meeting of LA area spotters/photographers at the airport to take pictures and get a first look at the new aircraft?

Also, are there any places at LAX where it is possible to spot and photograph aircraft without being shooed away by security?

-WGW2707

chris78cpr · Wed Feb 04, 2004 7:12 am

Does anyone know a good site for tracking flights mid air???

Chris

gigneil · Wed Feb 04, 2004 7:12 am

20 minutes to go and now down to FL370 from their cruise alt of FL410.

...too bad passur's site monitor has the mandatory delay.

N

[Edited 2004-02-03 23:16:15]

Espion007 · Wed Feb 04, 2004 7:19 am

The passengers must be really happy theres just 40 more min before they can get off the metal tube.

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