1:200Freak

Singapore Airlines -- News Releases

All-Business Class Long Haul To Fly Between Singapore And USA


04 March 2008


Singapore Airlines will convert its five Airbus A340-500 ultra-long-range aircraft into an all-Business Class configuration, for daily flights between Singapore and New York, and Singapore and Los Angeles. The current 2-class, 181 seat, arrangement will be replaced with 100 of the Airline’s new award-winning Business Class seats, in a 4-abreast, 1-2-1, layout. Each seat is upholstered in leather, and is 30 inches (76 cm) wide.
This new configuration will position Singapore Airlines as the first to operate an all-Business Class service on the Transpacific route.
Every seat will have direct access to the aisle, and will convert to a fully-flat bed. The new Business Class seats are the same design as those fitted on the Airline’s A380 and B777-300ER fleet.
Singapore Airlines Executive Vice President Marketing and Regions, Mr Huang Cheng Eng, said the change recognises the popularity from business travellers for the award-winning Business Class products introduced on other aircraft type.
“The new Business Class is being very well-received by our customers on long-range flights. The new product is the perfect fit for the ultra-long-haul services between Singapore and the USA.
“The peak demand for the non-stop flights is from our Business Class customers, and this change will expand Business Class capacity from 64 to 100 seats on each flight,” Mr Huang said.
The implementation will be phased in gradually from mid May, 2008, on the Singapore-New York route, with daily services in the new all-Business Class arrangement to New York by end June, and Los Angeles by late September, 2008. The program will require each of the five A340-500 aircraft to be retrofitted in turn.
Singapore Airlines flies 46 times weekly between Singapore and the USA, with multiple daily flights serving Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. The daily non-stop flights to Los Angeles and New York are complemented by other one-stop flights to each destination daily. And in March, Singapore Airlines will add Houston to its route network with a four-times-weekly flight from Singapore, via Moscow.

D-AIHC

Interesting to know that SQ is reducing capacity on these flights by 45%. I can only see two reasons for doing so - either the current load factor isn't too high or the current two-class configuration isn't bringing in the profits.

__________________

Lufthansa - Star Alliance member since 1997

1:200Freak

I guess this is going to be one jet where nothing but flat beds stretch all the way from the front to the back! Those same wide seats as on the Boeing 777-300ERs and A380s, will mean lots of ZZZzzzzz on the plane!

B-16707

wow. i wanna see inside that plane!

__________________
The Completed Customs The Airport

1:200Freak

I'm so glad by RS/SM SQ A345 is not going to become obsolete... Were there rumours these jets were to be phased out or was that with TG...can't recall?

C-Rex

As the same topic being discussed in various aviation websites already, we all know that the majority of SQ pax's are flying on business class. And I'm sure it's Krisflyer members will accept this with more then wide open arms.

But I'm wondering, do they need these flights every day? I'm guessing this is due to the "limited" business class seats, that means they are forced to make 5 conversions so that it is capable to acquire these C-class passengers.. Eh ?

I always drool of excitement everytime I hear or see these SQ business class (widest) seats in the world.

Start Quote Homer:
Arrrrrrrhr Wideeee Business Seaaaats !
End Quote Homer:

__________________
| Rex |

aritrixa

I was in the flight bound to EWR from SIN winter last year. The flight was relatively empty in Premium Economy. Not more than 40%, I guess - enable some of the passanger hang out at the back galley for snack. The better situation was observed in the Bussiness Class. However, the flight back bound to SIN was fully loaded at both classes.
What I am wondering now is, as this aircraft currently also served SIN-CGK-SIN as SQ 954/955/962/963 also for crew log-book filling, will SQ maintain this config or replace the 345 with 777 for CGK?

D-AIHC

There's also a special bin in the rear to accomodate a dead body, just in case someone dies during the world's longest commercial non-stop flight.

Interesting question! I'd like to know that as well...I guess only time will tell.

__________________

Lufthansa - Star Alliance member since 1997

1:200Freak

That's pretty creepy to think one of the pax will literally be arriving as a DOA..

B-16707

i cant tell if daihc was serious! lol

__________________
The Completed Customs The Airport

1:200Freak

Well there wouldn't be any need to divert the flight to make some kind of emergency, so probably best to carry on till the original destination

bioyuki

Man, these business jets are getting popular. Besides, EOS, Lufthansa and now Singapore, who else flies business class only jets?

D-AIHC

Well, it has hapened before and the chances are, it will happen again - unfortunately!!!

I was dead serious about it - no pun intended!!! Check out these articles:

BA sat corpse in first class - Times Online

"Other carriers use different procedures. Singapore Airlines has introduced “corpse cupboards” on its Airbus 340-500 aircraft. Cabin crews use the locker if there is no empty row of seats to place a corpse."

Taipei Times - archives

"The A340-500 is even fitted with a single occupancy "morgue" so that in the event of a passenger dying in their seat, they can be discretely removed for the remainder of the flight."

Yes, that's what it's for!

__________________

Lufthansa - Star Alliance member since 1997

D-AIHC

Silverjet: Silverjet - low fare business class flights - London, New York, Dubai

__________________

Lufthansa - Star Alliance member since 1997

lollomz

L'Avion - 100% Classe affaire et autrement moins cher.

Lollo

__________________
TRIJETS LOVER!