SINGAPORE Airlines is launching non-stop flights from Manchester to Singapore from March 31.

The new flights will replace the current one-stop journeys on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The airline said the changes were being made in response to growing demand from business and leisure travellers.

Return flights will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Eugene Lee, Singapore Airlines' United Kingdom (North) manager, said: "We are delighted that we are now able to offer our passengers non-stop services to Singapore, making their journey time shorter."

Passengers can book a seat which converts into a flat bed with a length of 78 inches and width of 27 inches, when both the armrests are fully deployed downwards. The SpaceBed will be available on all flights by late-May.