NEW YORK — Aviation soared to new heights yesterday with the launch of the world’s longest commercial flight.

Singapore Airlines’ nonstop flight between Singapore and New York departed Changi International airport on Oct. 11 and arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport 17 hours and 52 minutes later.

Operated by the all-new Airbus A350-900ULR (Ultra Long Range), the route will initially be served thrice-weekly, departing Singapore on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Daily operations will commence on Oct. 18 after an additional A350-900ULR aircraft enters service.

To commemorate the inaugural flight, customers departing from Singapore were treated to performances and an assortment of food and beverages at the gate. They also received an exclusive goodie bag containing a commemorative certificate and a pair of SIA-branded Bodum glasses.

Onboard, passengers enjoy special Wellness Cuisines curated by chefs and nutritionists from Canyon Ranch, plus SIA’s own meal selections by its International Culinary Panel of chefs. Plus, the aircraft is designed with passengers’ well-being in mind, with higher ceilings, larger windows and an extra-wide body to help reduce jetlag.

Other selling features of the aircraft include myKrisWorld, a world-first IFE personalization that provides content recommendations based on customer preferences and viewing history, and in-flight Wi-Fi service equipped by Panasonic Avionics’ new satellite modem, which is capable of delivering higher-speed Internet to customers.

SIA is the world’s first customer for the new A350-900ULR, with seven firm orders with Airbus. The aircraft is configured in a two-class layout, with 67 Business Class seats and 94 Premium Economy Class seats.

The aircraft will also be used for new nonstop flights between Singapore and Los Angeles, which will launch on Nov. 2, 2018, as well as to increase services on the existing Singapore-San Francisco route. By year’s end, SIA will have 27 nonstop flights per week between Singapore and the U.S.