.:. Singapore Airlines .:.

[ddes]

I think the priority for SQ is to standardize its aircraft interiors. I think it's gotten to a point where the product disparity is become too far and wide, especially if they continue to charge a premium fare, even for its premium products.

Also wonder if SQ will take up the rest of the options of the B777-300ERs?

[mcarling]

Originally Posted by ddes

Also wonder if SQ will take up the rest of the options of the B777-300ERs?

Every delay to the 787 or A350 increases the chances that SQ will exercise some or all of their 777-300ER options. I think the most likely settlement between Boeing and SQ for the 787s delays will be a reduction in the exercise price for 777-300ER options. I think the most likely settlement between Airbus and SQ for the A350 delays will be an extension of the A330 leases at concessionary rates.

[ddes]

Personally, I thought the taking up of the B777-300ER options puts SQ in a slightly sticky situation. SQ seems to intend the A380 and B777-300ER as Boeing 747 replacements so taking in extra options may spoil that plan. (I'm assuming, on observation, that Singapore Airlines does not seem to want to grow its fleet above 110, staying at 95 to 110 since the mid-90s.) In addition, with a reasonable backlog of orders for B777-300ERs, it is possible that SQ may receive its B777s later than the arrival of the B787-9, defeating its purpose as a proper compensation.

Regarding the A350, I don't think airlines will judge Airbus yet since everything seems to be going well according to schedule. And frankly, there seems to be this general consensus that the A350 project schedule is a abit too conservative, giving Airbus enough time to have a 2014 EIS.

In addition, assuming the A350 gets delayed, extending the leases on A330 does little to SQ's fleet plans except making the medium-haul fleet larger. By then, the B787-9s would have arrived. The long routes will end up with a delayed replacement.

[mcarling]

SQ had replaced a large number of 747-400s before they put the 777-300ER into service. Many routes that were formerly flown by JumboJets are now flown by 777-200ERs and 777-300s.

Also, SQ's fleet grew from under 90 aircraft to about 100 during 2006-8. I don't think it had ever been over 100 before. My expectation is that SQ's fleet size will continue to grow by about 5% per year on average.

[blizzardtweaker]

Australian, Japanese Cities To Be First For New A330 Operations
30 December 2008

Singapore Airlines will introduce its new Airbus A330-300 regional aircraft on routes to Australian and Japanese cities, progressively from end March 2009.

The first of 19 new A330-300s will be delivered to Singapore Airlines by Airbus in mid-January. Initially, the aircraft will be used to complete pilot conversion, and thereafter, operate some short sectors between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore and Jakarta, during late February and March.

Its full entry into commercial service will occur on 30 March 2009, and to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the commencement of Singapore Airlines flights between the two cities, the first route will be between Singapore and Brisbane.

From April, services between Singapore and Perth will be progressively converted from the existing B777 operations to A330; conversion will be completed in May. The daily flight between Adelaide and Singapore will be converted by June.

Also in June, following delivery of the eighth aircraft, the A330 will debut on Japan routes, with the daily service to Nagoya to be converted from B777 operations. By March 2010, the daily B777 service to Osaka will be replaced with the A330.

The A330-300 twin-engine wide-body aircraft will be configured with 285 seats in two classes – Business and Economy. A new Business Class seat, especially designed for regional and medium-haul flights, as well as other cabin product features, will be unveiled when the aircraft is delivered in January.

The Business Class cabin will consist of 30 seats, in a 2-2-2 configuration (distinct from the existing B777 on these routes, which is in a 2-3-2 layout). Economy will feature 255 seats, in a 2-4-2 configuration. All seats will feature the new KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines award-winning inflight entertainment system.

The deployment of the A330-300 is shown below:
http://www.singaporeair.com/mediacen...762!1398209029

[spikeshamz]

Singapore Airlines have announced thy will introduce new Airbus A330 aircraft on routes between Singapore to/from Australia and Japan, the full press release can be seen below:

Singapore Airlines will introduce its new Airbus A330-300 regional aircraft on routes to Australian and Japanese cities, progressively from the end of March 2009.

The first of 19 new A330-300s will be delivered to Singapore Airlines by Airbus in mid-January. The aircraft will initially be used to complete pilot conversion, and thereafter, operate some short sectors between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and Jakarta, during late February and March.

Its full entry into commercial service will occur on 30 March 2009. To coincide with the 25th anniversary of the commencement of Singapore Airlines flights between the two cities, the craft’s first route will be between Singapore and Brisbane.

From April, services between Singapore and Perth will be progressively converted from the existing B777 operations to A330, with conversion completed in May. The daily flight between Adelaide and Singapore will be converted by June.

Also in June, following delivery of the eighth aircraft, the A330 will debut on Japan routes, with the daily service to Nagoya to be converted from B777 operations. By March 2010, the daily B777 service to Osaka will be replaced with the A330.

The A330-300 twin-engine wide-body aircraft will be configured with 285 seats in two classes – Business and Economy. A new Business Class seat, designed especially for regional and medium-haul flights, as well as other cabin product features, will be unveiled when the aircraft is delivered in January.

The Business Class cabin will consist of 30 seats, in a 2-2-2 configuration (distinct from the existing B777 on these routes, which is in a 2-3-2 layout). Economy will feature 255 seats, in a 2-4-2 configuration. All seats will feature the new KrisWorld – Singapore Airlines’ award-winning in-flight entertainment system.



* Actual inaugural service will take place from Singapore to Brisbane (SQ255) on 30 March 2009 – the date of the 25th anniversary of the commencement of Singapore Airlines services betweenthe two cities. The first flight from Brisbane is SQ236 on 30 March 2009.

[ddes]

Wonder if they're pre-empting Air France. Air France has mentioned that it intends to fly A380s on CDG-SIN to connect with Qantas' flights to Australia.

SIA to use A380 for Paris services
By Nicholas Ionides (Flight Global)

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is to start operating the Airbus A380 to Paris in June.
The Star Alliance carrier says the French capital's Charles de Gaulle Airport will be served with its A380s each day from 1 June, replacing existing 10-times-weekly Boeing 777-300ER flights.

SIA currently operates six A380s and it will be able to use the larger aircraft for Paris services after taking delivery of its seventh and eighth of the type in the first half of this year.

It currently uses the A380 for daily services to Sydney, daily services to Tokyo and twice-daily services to London Heathrow.

[spikeshamz]

SIA BUSINESS-ONLY US FLIGHTS TAKE A HIT
26 January, 2009



SINGAPORE - SINGAPORE Airlines' is cutting back its non-stop, business-class only flights to the United States.

Fallng demand amid the global economic turmoil has prompted the carrier axe four of the 14 services it offers to Los Angeles and New York weekly.

From Feb 17 to March 25, there will be no flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. "What happens after will be subject to review," the airline told The Straits Times.

According to some travellers, the 100-seat Airbus 340-500s used on the routes were flying with over 70 per cent of their seats empty on some days.

Details of the Singapore-US flight cuts come more than a week after it was revealed that SIA is cutting 214 other flights, mainly regional services, until the end of March.

According to the latest data compiled by the International Air Transport Association, demand for first and business class seats fell 12 percent last November, compared with the same month in 2007. Overall demand fell five per cent during the same time.

SIA EXPANDS IPOD CONNECTIVITY
27 January, 2009

Passengers flying on Singapore Airlines’ new aircraft are being offered iPod and iPhone connectivity. The carrier is making the service available to all travellers on Airbus A330-300s in Asia.

Previously the connections were limited to all-business class flights between Singapore and New York and Los Angeles. The connection is part of a new multi-port panel placed next to each passenger’s individual in-flight entertainment screen.

Besides the iPod and iPhone connectivity, it contains a USB port, enabling people to listen to their own music, view their photos or read PDFs.
It also includes an audio-video input, which enables them to plug in their portable media players, to watch their videos via the in-flight entertainment system.

The A330, the first of which was delivered today, will be deployed on routes to Australian and Japanese cities from the end of March.
by Phil Davies

[Simon91]

The same thing is already installed in new 777-300ERs.. And i suppose A380s.

[ddes]

From airlineroute.blogspot.com:

SIA/US Airways plans codeshare expansion
SIA and US Airways last week issued a notification for planned codeshare expansion.

Singapore Airlines to display "SQ" code on US Airways' following service:
Manchester - Philadelphia
Milan - Philadelphia
Houston - Phoenix

US Airways' "US" code to appear on SIA's:
New York JFK - Frankfurt - Singapore
Newark - Singapore
San Francisco - Seoul - Singapore*
Los Angeles - Tokyo - Singapore

*It does not have local codeshare rights for Seoul market


Updated SIA Feb/Mar 09 Cuts
The following is Singapore Airlines' complete list of flight cuts for Feb/Mar 2009, as of 23JAN09, based on Amadeus timetable display and SIA's inventory availability

Singapore - Bangkok
SQ972/975 operates on following frequencies and date periods only:
567 - 24JAN09
x4 25JAN09 - 01FEB09

Singapore - Bangkok - Tokyo
Following dates are CANCELLED:

29JAN09
03FEB09, 05FEB09, 12FEB09, 17FEB09, 19FEB09, 23FEB09, 24FEB09, 26FEB09
02MAR09, 05MAR09, 08MAR09, 10MAR09, 12MAR09, 16MAR09, 19MAR09, 22MAR09, 26MAR09

Singapore - Beijing
SQ802/805, 777-200 replace -300ER on following dates:
Daily till 31JAN09

SQ810/801 on following periods will be CANCELLED (Singapore Departure):
19FEB09 - 28FEB09 Day 4
01MAR09 - 28MAR09 Day 234

Singapore - Brisbane
SQ255/256, service reduction from 5 weekly to:
12FEB09 - 19FEB09 3 weekly (Day 167)
20FEB09 - 27FEB09 4 weekly (Day 1567)
28FEB09 - 28MAR09 CANCELLED

Singapore - Colombo
Reduction from Daily to 5 weekly on following period

24FEB09 - 26MAR09: Day x24

Singapore - Delhi
SQ406/405 reduction from Daily to 6 weekly on following periods:

06FEB09 - 02MAR09: Day x2
03MAR09 - 28MAR09: Day x3

SQ408/407 remains Daily

Overall frequency reduced to 13 weekly

Singapore - Dhaka
Reduction from Daily to 5 weekly on following period

18FEB09 - 27MAR09: Day x35

Singapore - Guangzhou
Service not operating on:
05FEB09, 12FEB09, 26FEB09

Singapore - Hong Kong

* SQ868/873, cancelled from 04FEB09 to 28MAR09
* SQ862/861 operates with 777-300 replacing 777-300ER till 01FEB09
* SQ866/865 777-200 replace 747-400 from 04FEB09

Singapore - London
SQ308/319, cancelled on:
26JAN09, 27JAN09, 29JAN09, 11FEB09, 17FEB09, 18FEB09, 24FEB09, 25FEB09
Day x14 27FEB09 - 28MAR09

Singapore - Los Angeles
Reduced operations during the following period:

26JAN09 - 01FEB09 Day x23
16FEB09 - 28MAR09 Day x23

Singapore - Manila
SQ910/917 777-200 replace -300 on following date:
31JAN09

Singapore - Mumbai
SQ422/421 reduction from Daily to 5 weekly (Day x24) from 09FEB09. Service to be further reduced to 4 (Day x234) by 25FEB09.

SQ424/423 remains Daily

Overall frequency reduced to 11-12 weekly

Singapore - Nanjing
-11FEB09 Day 357
12FEB09- Day 37

Singapore - Newark
Previously noted cancellations on 27JAN09

Reduced operations during the following period:
16FEB09 - 28MAR09 Day x23

Singapore - Rome
Temporarily reduction from 3 to 2 weekly from 07FEB09, operating on Day 57 only

Singapore - Seoul
Planned cancellation on SQ608/609, still in effect from 01FEB09, but will not resume until June (Was till 28MAR09)

Singapore - Shamshabad/Hyderabad
4 weekly service (Day x124) to be reduced to 3 weekly (Day 357) from 21FEB09 to 28MAR09

Source: SQTalk, change to be implemented by 28JAN09

Singapore - Shanghai
SQ826/827, 777-300 replace -200 on following dates:
x23 22JAN09 - 26JAN09

SQ828/831, 777-300 replace - 200 on following dates:
x23 22JAN09 - 26JAN09

SQ828/831, Daily reduced to 3 weekly (Day 567):
16FEB09 to 28MAR09

Singapore - Sydney
SQ233/234, gradual reduction from Daily to:

27JAN09 - 03FEB09: Day x1
04FEB09 - 11FEB09: Day x13
12FEB09 - 19FEB09: Day x123
20FEB09 - 27FEB09: Day 567
28FEB09 - 01MAR09: Day 67

Service CANCELLED from 02MAR09 to 28MAR09

Singapore - Taipei
SQ880/881, 777-200 service operates on the following dates only:
246 15JAN09 - 07FEB09

SQ880 SIN0125 - 0555TPE 772 246
SQ881 TPE0755 - 1230SIN 772 246

SQ876/877, 777-300 replace - 200 on following dates:
6 24JAN09 - 31JAN09

SQ878/879 CANCELLED on following dates:
11FEB09, 17FEB09, 25FEB09

Singapore - Zurich
Reduction on SQ342/341 on following dates:
09FEB09, 17FEB09, 24FEB09
04MAR09, 10MAR09, 11MAR09, 17MAR09, 18MAR09, 23MAR09, 25MAR09, 31MAR09

From 11APR09, service not operating on Day 23 until 24JUN09

[ddes]

Boeing Delivers 77th 777 to Singapore Airlines
Posted January 30th, 2009 by Boeing

EVERETT, Wash., Jan. 30, 2009-- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Singapore Airlines reached an historic milestone today with the delivery of the airline's 77th777, which also is its 19th 777-300ER.

Singapore Airlines began its relationship with the Boeing 777 in December 1995, when the airline initially ordered 28 of what has become the most popular intermediate twin-aisle airplane in the world, with a market share of more than 60 percent. The airplane delivered today increases Singapore Airlines' fleet of Boeing airplanes to 91, with an additional 20 787-9 Dreamliners on order.

Singapore Airlines moves to zone E in Terminal 3 of Heathrow Airport
Wed. January 28, 2009; Posted: 12:25 PM

Singapore Airlines has announced that its check-in area at Terminal 3 of London's Heathrow Airport has moved from zone E to zone A.

The airline will now occupy ten desks at zone A with the following structure: Singapore Airlines Suites check-in at desk 2; Business Class check-in at desks 3, 4 and 5; Economy Class check-in at desks 5, 6, 7 and 8; and Internet check-in at desks 9 and 10.

The ticketing office will be moved to desk 40 while customer service will be located alongside desk 1.

[^tamago^]

SIA to suspend service to Vancouver
14 February 2009 1022 hrs (SST) 0222 hrs (GMT)

SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced that it will suspend indefinitely, its three-times-weekly service between Singapore and Vancouver via Seoul.

The last flight will be on April 25.

SIA said the decision to suspend the service is most regrettable as it has been serving Canada for over 20 years.

However, the economic conditions and performance on the route has been badly affected by the global economic downturn and the reduction is part of SIA's commitment to ensure that capacity is best matched with demand.

Customers currently holding tickets for SIA flights after April 25 between Singapore and Vancouver, and Seoul and Vancouver will be eligible for a refund without penalty or fee for unused travel.

Meanwhile, SIA said it will continue to serve Canada via its existing schedule of 42 weekly flights between Singapore and its North American gateways.

SIA also offers codeshare services on Air Canada to Toronto and Montreal from European gateways.

- CNA/yt

[salamangkero]

[mcarling]

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_339065.html

[RafflesCity]

SIA may defer superjumbos

20 Mar 09

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) on Friday said it would receive four Airbus A380 superjumbos as planned this year but could not rule out deferring future deliveries as passenger and cargo volumes drop.
'Singapore Airlines is scheduled to take delivery of four A380s this year, and we have no immediate plans to defer any aircraft deliveries,' the company said in a statement to AFP.

'However, we don't discount the possibility of deferring future deliveries as we consider the options for our fleet going forward,' it added.

SIA said that load figures, an industry measure of capacity usage, remain encouraging on the aircraft, the biggest airliner ever built.

SIA is the first airline to fly the double-decker A380 and it had placed orders for 19 of the planes, six of which are on option. Six A380s have already been delivered and the four this year will raise its fleet to 10.

The giant plane can carry up to 853 passengers but SIA chose a set-up with a maximum of 471 seats to give passengers more space. The design includes 12 luxurious 'suites,' each with a full-length bed behind sliding doors.

SIA, regarded as a bellwether for the industry, reported on Tuesday a huge drop in passenger numbers and cargo shipments for February.

The carrier flew 1.18 million passengers in February, down 20.2 per cent from the same month in 2008. It also filled 69.7 per cent of available passenger seats during the month, down 7.1 percentage points.

Cargo volumes slipped 16.9 per cent and the airline filled 56.7 per cent of available freight space, down 5.5 percentage points from last year. -- AFP

[Excelsvr]

Which planes currently in fleet is Singapore Airlines going to refurbish into their new interior? I believe only the Boeing 777-300's are getting the new interiors is it?

^ RafflesCity

In a way the news is good .. jumbojets are here to stay for a little more longer!

[RafflesCity]

Originally Posted by Excelsvr

^ RafflesCity

In a way the news is good .. jumbojets are here to stay for a little more longer!

Yup great for fans of the 747

SQ had one of the world's largest fleets of 747s during the jumbo's heyday. Does anyone know how many 747s are left? Interestingly, SQ had the privilege of operating the 1000th 747:

[ddes]

One of the world's largest... Still was lesser than ANA, Japan Airlines and British Airways.

As far as I heard, the 744s are gonna go by 2011, maybe even earlier if the economy doesn't pick up this year.

With things going quite bad for the airline, even SQTalkers aren't sure if other planes will get new interiors considering that the first refurbished 773 was supposed to roll out around now, and none are currently being fitted.

[RafflesCity]

Actually if I'm not wrong SQ wanted to unveil the new interior (including the biggest Business Class seats) to coincide with introduction of A380 services, but due to its delay, introduced it on long haul 777 services. Or are we talking about some other new interior?

[mcarling]

About a dozen passenger 747s are still in service with SQ. All are now due to leave SQ service by the end of the fiscal year, 31 March 2010.

Eleven of the twelve 777-300s are due for refit, the remaining one will leave the fleet.

SQ have not yet announced any plans to refit the 777-200s, but it is expected.