Category Archives: Singapore Airlines

New Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 cabin takes to the skies

Singapore Airlines has taken delivery of the first of five new Airbus A380 aircraft scheduled to join the carrier’s fleet over the coming year, at a special ceremony hosted by Airbus in Toulouse.

The aircraft delivered is the first in the airline’s fleet to feature its recently launched on-board cabin products and innovations (above and below).

In addition to the five new aircraft, Singapore Airlines will also retrofit 14 A380s already in service (above) with its new cabin products. The retrofit work is expected to begin late in 2018 and will be undertaken by the airline in conjunction with Services by Airbus. All 14 aircraft are scheduled to be retrofitted by 2020.

The new Singapore Airlines A380 offers more personal space in all classes, accommodating a total of 471 passengers. The cabin features six private Suites and 78 Business Class seats on the upper deck and 44 Premium Economy Class and 343 Economy Class seats on the main deck. The aircraft also features the latest in-flight entertainment systems and full connectivity from every seat.

Capable of flying up to 8,200 nautical miles nonstop, the A380 is the world’s largest and most spacious airliner and offers the most efficient solution to meet growth in passenger traffic on the world’s most heavily travelled routes. The A380 is the only aircraft with two full decks, featuring wider seats, broader aisles, and more floor space. Today the A380 is flying with 13 world class airlines on 120 routes around the globe. Since entry-into-service in 2007 the A380 world fleet has carried over 190 million passengers.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Airbus): Singapore Airlines Airbus A380-841 9V-SKB (msn 005) LHR (SPA). Image: 935861.

Singapore Airlines launches “Kris”, the chatbot for customer queries

Singapore Airlines (SIA) launched a beta chatbot, as it expands digital servicing channels for customers. The bot, named ‘Kris’, will initially be available on the SIA global Facebook page, and will later be made available on singaporeair.com.

Customers who visit the SIA Facebook page and reach out to the Airline via Facebook Messenger will be able to chat privately with Kris and receive assistance for pre-flight-related queries. As a beta bot, Kris will be in constant learning mode and its capabilities will develop over time. The bot is currently trained to address queries in English related to baggage, check-in, online booking, as well as travelling with infants and children.

Based on historical data, the beta bot has been trained to address the most frequent queries customers search for on singaporeair.com or reach out to reservations offices for. Using variations of actual questions received from customers, Kris’ responses have been fine-tuned through rounds of iterations using artificial intelligence, with the aim of training the bot to provide conversational replies that can meet the needs of customers promptly and efficiently. SIA has been progressively enhancing its digital capabilities and the development of Kris was led by an in-house team.

“Customer preferences are changing and with Kris we are taking feedback into account by expanding our servicing platforms beyond traditional contact center and email channels.”

Photo: Singapore Airlines.

Singapore Airlines and SilkAir to codeshare on Scoot flights

Singapore Airlines (SIA) and SilkAir customers can now enjoy more choice and convenience when travelling to more than 130 destinations across the SIA Group network as a result of new codeshare agreement with the Group’s low-cost subsidiary Scoot (below).

Above Copyright Photo: Scoot-flyscoot.com (Singapore Airlines) Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner 9V-OFI (msn 37125) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 937701.

Under the agreement, SIA will progressively add its ‘SQ’ designator code while SilkAir will add its ‘MI’ code to Scoot-operated flights between Singapore and more than 30 destinations¹ served only by Scoot within the SIA Group. The codeshare arrangements will begin with Scoot flights serving Athens, Clark, Gold Coast, Hat Yai, Ipoh, Krabi, Kuching and Palembang. The new agreement will enable SIA and SilkAir customers to travel on single-ticket itineraries to these codeshare destinations, which means that their boarding passes and baggage tags will be issued up to their final destination at the first point of check-in.

In addition to through check-in service, SIA and SilkAir customers will be offered Scoot’s FlyBagEat privileges – which include checked baggage allowance², complimentary meal and beverage as well as blanket for flights above four hours. SIA and SilkAir customers will also be offered the flexibility to select seats on Scoot flights online through the SIA and SilkAir websites when booking their tickets, for a fee, in accordance with Scoot’s terms and conditions.

The codeshare flights are subject to regulatory approvals. Tickets will be progressively made available through the various booking channels.

¹ Amritsar, Athens, Clark, Dalian, Gold Coast, Haikou, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hat Yai, Honolulu, Ipoh, Jaipur, Jeddah, Jinan, Kaohsiung, Krabi, Kuantan, Kuching, Lucknow, Macau, Nanjing, Ningbo, Palembang, Qingdao, Quanzhou, Sapporo, Shenyang, Tianjin, Tiruchirappalli, Wuxi, Xi’an and Zhengzhou.

² Baggage allowance depends on the most significant carrier for the through-checked portion of the journey: 30kg for Singapore Airlines and SilkAir, 20kg for Scoot.

Top Copyright Photo: Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-212 ER 9V-SVL (msn 32336) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 912971.

Singapore Airlines:

Scoot:

SilkAir:

Bottom Copyright Photo: SilkAir Boeing 737-8SA WL 9V-MGK (msn 44227) SIN (Michael B. Ing). Image: 939263.

Singapore Airlines selects Airbus for A380 retrofit program

Airbus has been selected by Singapore Airlines (SIA) to provide cabin retrofit services for 14 A380 aircraft currently in service with the carrier. The retrofit programme, which will be undertaken at SIA Engineering Company in Singapore, will see the airline’s recently launched cabin products installed on the aircraft. The new cabin products will debut on five new A380s to be delivered this year and next year.

Under the agreement, Services by Airbus will be responsible for Service Bulletin (SB) and aircraft cabin parts-kit delivery. Its teams will also contribute their A380 design knowledge and engineering expertise to integrate SIA’s customised cabin fittings into the A380’s spacious double-deck interior. The retrofit work is expected to start in late 2018, with all 14 aircraft scheduled for completion by 2020.

Business Class_01_preview.jpeg

Singapore Airlines’ new A380 cabin offers more personal space in all classes. The aircraft will accommodate a total of 471 passengers, with six private Suites and 78 Business Class seats (above) on the upper deck and 44 Premium Economy Class and 343 Economy Class seats (below) on the main deck.

Economy Class_01_preview.jpeg

Airbus’ Global Market Forecast projects that over the next 20 years the commercial aircraft upgrades services market will be worth US$180 billion, driven in part by high competition between airlines who value the ‘passenger experience’ as a differentiator (comfort, connectivity etc.), as well as systems upgrades. Notably, 38 per cent of this demand will come from the Asia-Pacific region.

Airbus has been selected by Singapore Airlines (SIA) to provide cabin retrofit services for 14 A380 aircraft currently in service with the carrier. The retrofit program, which will be undertaken at SIA Engineering Company in Singapore, will see the airline’s recently launched cabin products installed on the aircraft. The new cabin products will debut on five new A380s to be delivered this year and next year.

All photos above by Airbus.

Bottom Copyright Photo: Singapore Airlines Airbus A380-841 9V-SKK (msn 051) LAX (Roy Lock). Image: 910613.

Singapore Airlines’ unveils the new cabin product, will be rolled out to the entire Airbus A380s fleet

Singapore Airlines announced on November 2, 2017 that its eagerly awaited new cabin products will be fitted to its entire Airbus A380 fleet, including retrofit work on 14 aircraft that are already in service.

The announcement was made in Singapore at the global launch of the airline’s new cabin products, which will start entering service next month on the first of five new A380s on order with Airbus. Retrofit work will start in late 2018 on the 14 existing A380s¹ that will be fitted with the new products, with all targeted for completion in 2020.

Singapore Airlines was the launch operator of the A380 when it took delivery of the world’s first superjumbo in 2007. The new aircraft configuration will carry up to 471 customers in four classes of travel, with six Singapore Airlines Suites, 78 Business Class seats, 44 Premium Economy Class seats and 343 Economy Class seats.

“Singapore Airlines set new industry benchmarks for premium full-service travel when we introduced our first A380s in October 2007. A decade later we continue to receive highly positive feedback about the travel experience on the aircraft,” said Senior Vice President Product & Services, Mr Marvin Tan.

“The introduction of our all-new cabin products is intended to ensure we retain our product leadership position. The significant investment in the new product and service offerings demonstrates that we are always listening to our customers, and ensuring that we continue to deliver the world’s best travel experience.”

Above Copyright Photo: Singapore Airlines Airbus A380-841 9V-SKN (msn 071) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 926240.

Singapore Airlines’ A380s currently serve Auckland, Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, Mumbai, New Delhi, New York, Paris, Shanghai, Sydney, and Zurich.

¹SIA currently has 18 A380s in its fleet, having recently returned one to the lessor. Four more will be returned to lessors progressively in 2018.

Sam Chui reports on the unveiling:

Singapore Airlines’ new cabin products to debut on Singapore-Sydney route

Singapore Airlines’ eagerly awaited new cabin products, which will be revealed at global launch events in Singapore over November 2-4, 2017, will debut on the Singapore-Sydney route in December.

The introduction of the new cabin products – in Suites, Business Class, Premium Economy Class and Economy Class – follows four years of development involving extensive customer feedback. They will initially be fitted on five new A380s that the Airline has on firm order with Airbus.

The first of the Airbus A380s with the new products will operate daily from 18 December as flight SQ221, departing Singapore at 2040hrs and arriving into Sydney at 0740hrs the following day. It will return as flight SQ232, departing Sydney at 1215hrs and arriving into Singapore at 1735hrs. Additional destinations for the new products will be revealed in the coming months.

The A380 entered service with Singapore Airlines in October 2007. In addition to Sydney, the Airline’s superjumbos serve Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, Mumbai, New Delhi, New York, Osaka, Paris, Shanghai and Zurich.

Singapore finalizes its order for additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners

Boeing and Singapore Airlines (SIA) on October 23, 2017 formally announced a deal for 20 777-9s and 19 787-10s, during a ceremony at the White House.

The order, previously attributed to an unidentified customer, is worth $13.8 billion at current list prices. The value of this sales transaction will sustain thousands of U.S. suppliers and more than 70,000 direct and indirect U.S. jobs during the delivery period of this contract. The airline also has options for 12 additional aircraft, six of each aircraft type.

Singapore Airlines has more than 50 Boeing 777s in service and is the launch customer of the 787-10, which is set to deliver in the first half of 2018. With a prior order for 30 787-10s, the airline now has 49 on order, making it the largest customer for this type. A long-range airplane that’s efficient at any stage length, the 787-10 will serve the airline’s medium-range operations while partnering with the 777-9 for the carrier’s long-haul routes. Its subsidiaries SilkAir, Scoot and SIA Cargo also operate Boeing airplanes with the 737 MAX 8 and 737-800, 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners and 747-400 Freighter types in service, respectively.

The 787-10, the largest family member, adds seats and cargo capacity while offering 25 percent better fuel efficiency per seat and lower emissions than the airplanes it will replace. The combination of capability, reliability and efficiency has attracted carriers from around the world, including Asia where the 787-10 will be able to connect all points within Asia at lower seat costs than any other twin-aisle airplane, with the flexibility to also link to Europe, Africa and Oceania.

The 777X, builds on the passenger-preferred and market-leading 777, and will be the largest and most-efficient twin-engine jet in the world, with the latest innovative technologies, including the most advanced, fuel-efficient commercial engine ever. Opening new growth opportunities for airlines, the 777-9 will have the lowest operating cost per seat of any commercial airplane. The 777-9 seats 400-425 passengers with a range of 7,600 nautical miles (14,075 km) and is the only twin-engine available of its size.

As an 18-foot (5.5-m) stretch of the 787-9, the 787-10 will deliver the 787 family’s preferred passenger experience and long range with 25 percent better fuel per seat and emissions than the airplanes it will replace.

Singapore will be an unique dual operator of the rival Airbus A350-900 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Photo: Boeing. The first Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner that has been painted. The pictured 9V-SCB (msn 60254) is pictured at the North Charleston, SC facility.

Boeing rolls out Singapore Airlines’ first 787-10 Dreamliner

Boeing has rolled out the first 787-10 Dreamliner built for Singapore Airlines at its Final Assembly facility in North Charleston, South Carolina.

The airplane will now undergo the painting of the airline’s livery and begin its system checks, fueling, and engine runs. Singapore Airlines is due to take delivery of its first 787-10 in the first half of 2018 and will be operated on the airline’s medium-haul routes.

Singapore Airlines is the launch customer of the 787-10 and currently has 30 airplanes on firm order. The airline also signed a letter of intent in February to purchase 19 additional 787-10s.

Singapore Airlines will receive the first 787-10 in March 2018.

Photos: Boeing.

Singapore Airlines to order 20 Boeing 777-9s and 19 787-10 Dreamliners

Singapore Airlines logo

Boeing has issued this statement:

Boeing is pleased that Singapore Airlines has announced its commitment to purchase 20 777-9s and 19 787-10 Dreamliners. The national carrier and 787-10 launch customer also announced its recommitment for its previous order for 30 787-10 airplanes.

Boeing 787-10 (Boeing)(LR)

The 787-10 is the third member of the super-efficient, passenger-pleasing 787 Dreamliner family. With its greater passenger and cargo capacity, high degree of commonality and passenger-pleasing features.

Singapore Airlines launches its nonstop Singapore – San Francisco route

Singapore Airlines has launched its new Singapore-San Francisco service, linking Singapore with the US West Coast on a nonstop basis. The new flights will be operated daily using Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

The inaugural flight, SQ32, departed Singapore Changi Airport at 0925 hrs local time on October 23, 2016 and arrived at San Francisco Airport at approximately 0850 hrs local time the same day. The aircraft deployed for the inaugural flight is Singapore Airlines’ sixth A350-900, which also happens to be the 10,000th aircraft delivered by Airbus (pictured). This milestone aircraft was received at a special ceremony in Toulouse, France earlier this month and has a “10,000th Airbus Aircraft” logo on the fuselage.

The new flights are the longest in the Singapore Airlines network. Flying time will range between 14:35 hrs and 17:45 hrs depending on direction and time of year.

With advanced technology and superior operating efficiency, the A350-900 offers customers an improved travelling experience with features such as higher ceilings, larger windows, an extra wide body and lighting designed to reduce jetlag.

Singapore Airlines took delivery of its first A350-900 in March and now has six of the aircraft type in its fleet, with another 61 on firm order, including seven of the ultra-long-range A350-900ULR variant. Singapore Airlines is the launch customer for the A350-900ULR, for which deliveries will begin in 2018. The aircraft will be used to re-launch nonstop flights between Singapore and both New York and Los Angeles.

SIA serves San Francisco twice-daily, with the other flight operating via Hong Kong. Singapore Airlines also serves the US cities of Los Angeles via both Seoul Incheon and Tokyo Narita, Houston via Moscow, and New York JFK via Frankfurt. (Houston services will be operated via Manchester rather than Moscow with effect from October 30, 2016).