TORONTO — A lot can be done in the span of 19 hours, including flying halfway around the world.

Singapore Airlines has just announced that it will be reviving the world’s longest non-stop flight, which is welcome news to long-haul travellers. The airline recently signed an agreement to be the launch customer for a new ultra-long-range variant of the Airbus A350 aircraft in 2018, enabling non-stop flights between Singapore and both Los Angeles and New York. Non-stop flights to additional points in the U.S. are also under consideration.

“Our customers have been asking us to restart nonstop Singapore-U.S. flights and we are pleased that Airbus was able to offer the right aircraft to do so in a commercially viable manner,” said Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong. “It will further strengthen the Singapore hub by providing the fastest and most convenient air connectivity between North America and Southeast Asia.”

The airline has 63 A350-900s on firm order and the new agreement with Airbus will see seven of these upgraded to orders for the A350-900ULR, which will have a range of up to 8,700nm. In addition, Singapore Airlines has 20 purchase options, four of which will be converted into firm A350-900 orders. This will lift to 67 the total number of A350s on firm order with Airbus, plus 16 options.

Singapore Airlines previously claimed the distinction of having the world’s longest flight with its 19-hour, nonstop Singapore to New York route, which was discontinued in 2013. Since then, both Emirates and Air India have announced plans to launch similar lengthy routes to their respective hubs.

For more information, go to singaporeair.com.