SINGAPORE (AP) - Counting on competitive fares and a shorter flying time to attract

business, Singapore Airlines opened service last month to New York via Europe.

The new link offers an alternative to traditional travel patterns between Southeast

Asia and North America across the Pacific Ocean.

Until now, trans-Pacific flights were quickest, but only because of relatively long

layovers on flights via Europe.

By using the same Boeing 747-400 from New York to Singapore, with only one short

transit stop, the airline plans to cut travel time to 21 hours, compared with 24

hours by way of Tokyo.

The Singapore to New York flight will take more than an hour longer because of head

winds, airline executives said.

Total travel time is scheduled to be two to seven hours shorter thancompeting carriers.

The published round-trip fares are 9,600 Singapore dollars (U.S. $5,963) for first

class, 7,000 Singapore dollars (U.S.$4,348) for business class, and 6,360 Singapore

dollars (U.S. $3,950) for economy, about the same as across the Pacific.