Singapore Airlines has taken delivery of the first Airbus A350-900 Ultra Long Range.

According to the airline, the aircraft is the first of seven on firm order and will enter commercial service on October 11, 2018, flying between Singapore and Newark.

“This is a proud moment for both Singapore Airlines and Airbus, not only because we have again strengthened our partnership, but also because we have pushed the limits with this highly advanced new aircraft to extend long-range flying to new lengths,” said Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines.

Singapore Airlines will use its first two A350-900ULRs for the Newark route. The other five will be used for non-stop flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The ultra-long-range version of the A350 is derived from the A350-900 and has a range of up to 9,700 nautical miles. This was achieved by integrating a modified fuel system which increases the aircraft’s fuel capacity by 24,000 litres without the need for additional fuel tanks. The A350-900ULR has a maximum take-off weight of 280 tonnes and is capable of flying over 20 hours non-stop.

“Today’s delivery is a milestone for Airbus and Singapore Airlines, as together we open a new chapter in non-stop air travel,” said Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus. “With its unrivalled range and step-change in fuel efficiency, the A350 is uniquely placed to meet demand for new ultra-long-haul services.”

Singapore Airlines now has 21 A350-900s and one A350-900ULR in its fleet, with 39 A350-900s and six A350-900ULRs on order.