Aboard the world’s longest flight

 Long-haul flights can be daunting, but the idea of flying the world’s longest commercial flight can be especially daunting, even for some seasoned flyers. As an expatriate Bangladeshi living in the US, I am no stranger to long-haul flights. Even so, I was somewhat skeptical about surviving Singapore Airlines’ SQ 23, which takes off from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York and lands at Changi Airport, Singapore, making it the world’s longest passenger flight; a total of 19 hours from gate to gate.

We drove 2.5 hours from Delaware to New York, then took an Uber to JFK after parking our car. After checking in and clearing airport security, we finally had some time to relax. Our business class tickets gave us access to the Air India lounge, where I thought their furniture could use an upgrade. The food, however, turned out to be surprisingly delicious. 

As we waited for our flight to start boarding, I felt that a long drive and a lengthy security check were already taking a toll on me. I was also getting a bit anxious about the ultra-long flight that lay ahead and whether I would be able to sleep on board!

How I prepared for the flight

A couple of days before our flight, we purchased melatonin supplements; the plan was to take one tablet after our first in-flight meal. Melatonin pills are dietary supplements that help regulate our circadian rhythm. When I fly long distances and to places several time zones away, I usually take melatonin supplements to get back to my sleep routine. 

Before our long-haul flight, we also made sure to drink more water than usual. This is important to do before embarking on any ultra-long air travel, anything lasting more than 12 hours. Drinking on board is very crucial, too, because we get dehydrated at high altitudes. 

I also packed water based moisturizers, serums, and facial mist to use on the plane. The dry air on plane quickly dehydrates my skin. 

Two days before our flight, I borrowed a fiction, The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi, from the local public library as part of my preparation for the world’s longest passenger flight. I think reading in the sky is a one-of-a-kind experience with zero distractions, no noise other than the gentle hum of the airplane engine. 

On-board experience

Our flight was scheduled to leave at 10:15 PM and it was on time. As soon as I boarded the plane I realised that this was different from any other aircraft I have ever flown in. The aircraft used for SQ 23 that is, the A350-900 ULR, is noticeably wider and more spacious. The aircraft used for the flight is an ultra-long-range airplane manufactured by Airbus. 

The flight SQ 23 only offers first, business, and premium economy class seats. Traditional economy seats are not offered on this flight to ensure maximum comfort on the world’s longest commercial flight.  

  

After boarding, I changed into pajamas and a relaxed t-shirt; from the beginning, getting cosy on this super-long flight was my top priority.

After removing whatever little makeup I put on that day, I applied a water-based face cream and topped it with facial mist. The facial mist proved to be a great companion during this ultra-long air journey. A helpful tip for our readers: the dry air on plane can quickly dehydrate our skin, therefore, whenever you fly long-haul flights, pack a water-based moisturiser to keep your skin healthy and hydrated. You can consider Clinique’s Moisture Surge, Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Cream, or anything similar for long flights. 

I could pre-select the main courses of the in-flight meals days before my flight. The airlines’ Book the Cook feature allowed me to choose from a wide selection of meals. As the main course of my first in-flight meal, I chose grilled shrimp and scallops in tarragon mustard sauce with leeks, carrots, and linguine. It was a delight. For the second meal, I chose slow-roasted beef fillet with natural jus, pomme anna, celery, mushrooms, and carrots. This was the first time I had the privilege of choosing my meals ahead of my flight.    

After finishing my first meal, I swallowed a melatonin pill and went to sleep. The business class seats had mattresses, which made sleeping a very comfortable experience. Not all international business class flights offer mattresses, not even on long-haul flights. Therefore, the built-in mattress of the lie-flat seat was a pleasant surprise. I fell asleep pretty quickly and slept at a stretch for more than six hours. 

Over the the next 13 hours of my flight, I indulged in various activities. I read Alka Joshi’s Henna Artist, had conversations with the flight attendants, watched movies, and took two naps. I wish Singapore Airlines had a wider selection of movies, especially considering the duration of this flight and the challenges passengers face in making time pass. However, the free-of-charge in-flight internet connection was a perk, allowing me to send texts and make calls to friends and family from 30,000 feet in the air. 

Struggles of flying the longest flight

In addition to trying to make the 19 hours pass, I also needed to leave my seat to stand, walk, or stretch to help with blood circulation. Despite these efforts, my feet were swollen by the end of the flight, which is not uncommon among long-haul flyers, though. As soon we landed in Singapore, I took my shoes off and slipped into the flip-flops that I had brought in my carry-on bag. 

Although I think I can do this all over again, not everyone will share my enthusiasm. My husband, for instance, experienced restlessness during this ultra-long flight, barely managing to sleep. To some or many, the thought of being confined in an airplane cabin 30,000 feet in the air for nearly a day can be daunting. I was quite fine, however. The combination of relaxed clothing, an engaging book, in-flight movies, a comfortable seat, delectable meals, hydration, and friendly cabin crew members made the 19 hours on board an unforgettable experience.