Damage was visible to aircraft at Newark Liberty International Airport on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, following an incident involving a Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900ULR, registered as 9V-SGE. The aircraft, operating as flight SQ21 from Newark to Singapore, continued its scheduled departure despite the visible damage to its underside.
Flight SQ21 is notable for being the world’s longest commercial flight, covering approximately 9,534 miles and taking nearly 18 hours and 50 minutes. The aircraft is configured with only Business Class and Premium Economy seating, omitting the standard Economy section typically found on long-haul flights. This configuration is a deliberate choice by Singapore Airlines, designed to enhance passenger comfort on the ultra-long-haul route, according to Simple Flying.
The A350-900ULR variant is specifically designed for extended range, allowing for non-stop flights between major global hubs. The aircraft’s capabilities are central to Singapore Airlines’ strategy for the Newark-Singapore route, which began service in 2020 after a temporary suspension. The route was initially suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed as travel restrictions eased.
Flightradar24 data indicates that the Newark to Singapore route is consistently among the world’s five longest flights. The incident involving 9V-SGE occurred on the same day the aircraft was scheduled to operate the return flight to Newark. As of late Tuesday, Singapore Airlines had not issued a public statement regarding the nature of the damage or any potential impact on the aircraft’s airworthiness. No official investigation has been announced.
