Deadheading: The Grim Reality of Transporting Coffins on Singapore Airlines' A340-500s

Deadheading: The Grim Reality of Transporting Coffins on Singapore Airlines' A340-500s - The Longest Nonstop Commercial Flight in the World

From 2004 to 2013, Singapore Airlines operated the longest nonstop commercial flight in the world between Singapore and Newark, covering a distance of 9,535 miles in around 18 hours. The route was flown by the Airbus A340-500, an ultra long-haul aircraft specifically designed for this mission.

At the time, the flight held the record for the longest nonstop scheduled service by both distance and time. It was a true feat of endurance for pilots, cabin crew, and passengers alike. The flight crew had to take special precautions, like having backup pilots on standby, to manage fatigue on such an ultra long journey.

For economy class passengers crammed into tight seats for nearly a full day, it was the ultimate test of patience. First and business class passengers enjoyed lie-flat beds to get some shut-eye, but with just one meal service on the whole flight, the onboard experience was spartan.

The flight became a bucket list journey for aviation enthusiasts and travelers seeking bragging rights. Plane spotters gathered at both endpoints to catch sight of the A340-500, which was specially configured with just 100 seats to fly nearly 10,000 miles nonstop.

However, the flight was ultimately short-lived for several reasons. The A340-500 was an inefficient gas guzzler, consuming too much fuel to be profitable on ultra long routes as oil prices rose. The plane couldn't take on enough cargo and premium passengers to fill capacity profitably. And new longer-range twin-engine planes like the A350 and 787 entered the market.

In 2013, after just 9 years of operation, Singapore Airlines pulled the plug on the nonstop flights from Singapore to Newark and Los Angeles. These routes are now served by one-stop flights.

Deadheading: The Grim Reality of Transporting Coffins on Singapore Airlines' A340-500s - Policies and Procedures for Transporting Human Remains

When a loved one passes away overseas, repatriating their remains home can be a complex process. For the Singapore Airlines A340-500s that flew the marathon routes between Singapore, Newark and Los Angeles, transporting coffins presented unique logistical challenges.

Singapore Airlines had special procedures for handling human remains, as is standard practice across the airline industry. The deceased passenger cannot be seated upright, so the coffin must be stowed in the cargo hold. The cargo hold of passenger aircraft is neither heated nor pressurized, subjecting the coffins to extreme cold and minimal air.

Metal or wood coffins certified for air transport are required. These specialized coffins have sealer gaskets and external air vents to accommodate pressure changes. Basic coffins without these features could burst open mid-flight after takeoff pressurization, a disturbing risk.

The paperwork required to transport a coffin internationally is substantial. Officials stamps and documentation are needed from local mortuaries, coroners, health authorities, embassies, and customs agencies. This bureaucracy ensures the body is legally cleared for international repatriation.

With the A340-500 flying nearly 20 hours nonstop, the reality was that deceased passengers made the whole journey in the frigid, dark cargo hold. For grieving families providing their loved one's ultimate sendoff, it seems less than dignified. But in many cultures around Asia, repatriation for burial or cremation rites back home is vitally important.

The flight crew themselves were not immune to the emotional weight of their special cargo. Pilots, who technically counted coffins as "human remains" in their cargo manifests, were mindful of the sensitivity required. Flight attendants grappled with knowing someone's loss was beneath their feet the whole long journey.

With no ability to access the cargo hold mid-flight, the crew could only hope mechanical issues didn't arise. They had to trust that the coffin was safely and correctly loaded in Singapore before departing over the Pacific.