In late 2016, Singapore Airlines will introduce a new non-stop route between Singapore´s Changi Airport and San Francisco International Airport. Following in United Airlines´ footsteps, Singapore Airlines will offer competition along this route. Beginning in October, Singapore´s Airbus A350-900 aircraft — with seating for 253 passengers in three classes — will serve the non-stop route. Singapore Airlines currently offers this service, but with stops in Seoul, South Korea, and Hong Kong. Thus, this will be the first non-stop route between Singapore Airlines´ home and the major American airport in northern California. The 8,451-mile journey will last between 14 and 17 hours, depending on the direction, and will become not only the airline´s longest running route, but also one of the world´s longest routes. With the introduction of this non-stop route, Singapore Airlines´ current route that connects through Seoul´s Incheon International Airport will continue to Los Angeles International Airport instead.