Singapore Airlines

Infobox Airline
airline = Singapore Airlines

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logo_size = 300
fleet_size = 102 (+73 orders, 59 options)
destinations = 66
IATA = SQ
ICAO = SIA
callsign = SINGAPORE
company_slogan = A Great Way To Fly
founded = 1947 (as Malayan Airways)
headquarters = Singapore
key_people = Chew Choon Seng (CEO)
hubs = Singapore Changi Airport
frequent_flyer = KrisFlyer PPS Club
lounge = Silver Kris Lounge
alliance = Star Alliance
subsidiaries = Silk Airpartner airlines= Virgin Atlantic

*Singapore Airport Terminal Services
*SIA Engineering Company
*SilkAir
*Singapore Airlines Cargo
*Singapore Flying College

website = http://www.singaporeair.com

Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA) (zh-cp|c=新加坡航空公司|p=Xīnjiāpō Hángkōng Gōngsī, abbreviated _zh. 新航; Lang-ms|Syarikat Penerbangan Singapura; Lang-ta|சிங்கப்பூர் ஏர்லைன்ஸ்) (sgx|C6L) is the national airline of Singapore. Singapore Airlines operates a hub at Singapore Changi Airport and has a strong presence in the Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and "Kangaroo Route" markets. The company also operates trans-Pacific flights, including two of the world's longest non-stop commercial flights from Singapore to Newark, New Jersey and Los Angeles, California on the Airbus A340-500. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Boeing jetliner tries for record for longest nonstop flight |url= http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/247531_recordflight09.html |work= Seattle Post Intelligencer |publisher= |date= November 9, 2005|accessdate= 2007-01-01 ] [ [http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SIP_413_2005-02-02.html The first non-stop flight between Singapore and Los Angeles, USA] , Singapore Infopedia (National Library Board of Singapore), retrieved on 1 January 2007.] Singapore Airlines was the launch customer of the "superjumbo" Airbus A380. SIA has diversified into airline-related businesses such as aircraft handling and engineering. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, SilkAir, manages regional flights to secondary cities with smaller capacity requirements. Subsidiary Singapore Airlines Cargo operates SIA's dedicated freighter fleet, and manages the cargo-hold capacity in SIA's passenger aircraft. SIA has a 49% shareholding in Virgin Atlantic and has also responded to the threats posed by the low-cost sector by investing a 49% stake in Tiger Airways. Singapore Airlines Limited is the world's largest carrier by market capitalisation. It ranks amongst the top 15 carriers worldwide in terms of revenue passenger kilometres, [cite web |publisher= Air Transport World |date= 2007 |title= Data/Airline Economics Channel |url= http://www.atwonline.com/channels/dataAirlineEconomics/index.html ] is the 8th largest airline in Asia and ranked 6th in the world for international passengers carried. [cite web |publisher= International Air Transport Association |date= 2005 |title= WATS Scheduled Passengers Carried |url= http://www.iata.org/pressroom/wats/wats_passengers_carried.htm ]

Singapore Airlines was ranked 17th in Fortune's World’s Most Admired Companies rankings in 2007 [cite web |publisher= Fortune |date=2007 |title= World’s Most Admired Companies 2007 |url= http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/globalmostadmired/2007/snapshots/8155.html ] and has built up a strong brand name [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Airlines’ Reputations Hinge On the Basics, Study Shows |url= http://www.harrisinteractive.com/services/pubs/The_Wall_Street_Journal_Airlines_Reputations_2000.pdf |work= The Wall Street Journal |publisher= |date= |accessdate=2007-01-02] as a trendsetter [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Singapore Airlines raises the bar for luxury flying |url= http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/300154_boeingsingapore18.html |work= Seattle Post Intelligencer |publisher= |date=18 January 2007 |accessdate=2007-01-18] in the aviation industry, particularly in terms of innovation, safety and service excellence, [ [http://www.venturerepublic.com/resources/Singapore_Airlines_-_An_Excellent_Asian_Brand.asp Singapore Airlinesndash An Excellent Asian Brand] , Venture Republic, retrieved 2 January 2007] coupled with consistent profitability. [ [http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.0955-6419.2004.00298.x?cookieSet=1&journalCode=busr Cost-Effective Service Excellence: Lessons from Singapore Airlines] , Business Strategy Review, retrieved 2 January 2007] It has won numerous awardscite web |title= Our achievements |publisher= Singapore Airlines |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/news/achievements.jsp |accessdate= 2008-02-02] and is an industry bellwether for aircraft purchases. [cite web |publisher= Ottawa Citizen |date= |title= Airbus wins $2.7B deal |url= http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/business/story.html?id=2abbd9ec-4e91-41ad-b093-eac5336e1c0c ]

History

Origins

Singapore Airlines began with the incorporation of Malayan Airways Limited (MAL) on 12 October 1947, by the Ocean Steamship Company of Liverpool, the Straits Steamship Company of Singapore and Imperial Airways. The airline's first flight was a chartered flight from the British Straits Settlement of Singapore to Kuala Lumpur on 2 April 1947 using an Airspeed Consul twin-engined airplane. [cite web|title= Telekom Malaysia and Malaysia Airlines Synergise Business Relationship |publisher= Telekom Malaysia Berhad |accessdate= 2007-09-03 |url= http://www.tm.com.my/about_TM/newsroom/2004/041123_2.htm] Regular weekly scheduled flights quickly followed from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang from 1 May 1947 with the same aircraft type. [cite web|title= The Creation of Singapore Airlines |publisher= Singapore Airlines |accessdate= 2007-07-01 |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/siastory/history.jsp] The airline continued to expand during the rest of the 1940s and 1950s, as other British Commonwealth airlines (such as BOAC and Qantas Empire Airways) provided technical assistance, as well as assistance in joining IATA.Fact|date=October 2007 By 1955, Malayan Airways' fleet had grown to include a large number of Douglas DC-3s, and went public in 1957. Other aircraft operated in the first two decades included the Douglas DC-4 Skymaster, the Vickers Viscount, the Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation, the Bristol Britannia, the de Havilland Comet 4 and the Fokker F27.

When Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak formed the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, the airline's name was changed, from "Malayan Airways" to "Malaysian Airlines" (though still abbreviated to MAS). MAS also took over Borneo Airways. In 1966, following Singapore's separation from the federation, the airline's name was changed again, to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA). The next year saw a rapid expansion in the airline's fleet and route, including the purchase of MSA's first Boeing aircraft, the Boeing 707s, as well the completion of a new high-rise headquarters in Singapore. Boeing 737s were added to the fleet soon after.

Incorporation and growth

MSA ceased operations in 1972, when political disagreements between Singapore and Malaysia resulted in the formation of two entities: Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines System. [cite news | title = Life | publisher = Asiaone | accessdate = 2007-02-01 | url =http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/dream/life/life.html] [cite web|title= Past, Present & Moving Forward |publisher= Malaysia Airlines |accessdate= 2007-02-01 |url= http://hq.malaysiaairlines.com/mh/eng/about_us/corporate_info/past_present_and_moving_forward/evolution.asp] [ cite web |title= The Creation of Singapore Airlines |publisher= Singapore Airlines |accessdate= 2007-02-01|url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/siastory/history.jsp] Singapore Airlines kept all 10 of MSA's Boeing 707s and 737s, retained the international routes out of Singapore as well as the existing corporate headquarters in the city, with J.Y. Pillay, former joint chief of MSA as its first chairperson. Female flight attendants continued to wear the "sarong kebaya" uniform, which had been first introduced in 1968. A local start up advertising company, Batey Ads was given the right to market the airline, eventually selecting the sarong and kebaya-clad air stewardesses as an icon for the airline and calling them Singapore Girls.

SIA saw rapid growth during the 1970s, adding cities in the Indian subcontinent and Asia, and adding Boeing 747s to its fleet. Mr Yong Nyuk Lin, then Minister for Communications at the welcoming ceremony of the first 2 SIA-Boeing 747s at Paya Lebar Airport on Monday 3 September 1973 at 1600 hours was quoted thus:

The 1980s saw the new services to United States, Canada, and European cities with Madrid becoming the first Hispanic city to be served by SIA. Boeing 747-400s were introduced into the SIA fleet in 1989 and named "Megatops". They were later complemented by Boeing 777s, Airbus A310s and Airbus A340s. Services were extended to southern Africa in the 1990s, when the airline began flights to Johannesburg in South Africa. The cities of Cape Town and Durban were subsequently introduced to the route network.

Modern history

In 2004, SIA began non-stop trans-Pacific flights from Singapore to Los Angeles and Newark, utilising the Airbus A340-500. These flights marked the first non-stop air services between Singapore and the USA. The Singapore to Newark flight is the record for the longest scheduled commercial flight, with a flying time of over 18 hours each way. Beginning in May 2008 Singapore Airlines will begin converting the five Airbus A340-500 to a business class model only for its routes to Newark and Los Angeles. [http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-allbiz4mar04,1,3403241.story]

At a Cabinet meeting on 22 February 2006, the Government of Australia decided not to grant fifth freedom rights to Singapore Airlines on flights from Australia to the United States.cite news |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/02/21/bloomberg/sxsia.php |title=Australia rebuffs bid by Singapore Airlines |first=Vesna |last=Poljak |work=International Herald Tribune |date=2006-02-21 |accessdate=2008-08-06] Singapore Airlines had argued that transpacific flights from Australia suffered from under-capacity, leading to limited competition and relatively high air fares. The move was seen as a measure taken to protect Qantas from increased competition. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/02/21/bloomberg/sxsia.php Australia rebuffs bid by Singapore Airlinesndash International Herald Tribune] ] SIA had encountered such protectionist measures in the past when SIA was shut out from the Toronto market after complaints from Air Canada, and was forced to stop flying Boeing 747-400s into Jakarta in the wake of protests from Garuda Indonesia when it could not use similar equipment to compete. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/1991/11/23/sing_0.php Growing Pains at Singapore Airlines: Carrier's Expansion Is Running Into Global and Regional Competition - International Herald Tribune] ]

A380

On September 29, 2000, SIA announced an order for 25 Airbus A3XX (as the A380 was known at the time). The US$8.6 billion order comprised a firm order of 10 aircraft, with options on another 15 airframes. [ [http://www.a380.singaporeair.com/news_pr_20000929.html Singapore Airlines Announces US$8.6 Billion Airbus A3XX* Order] ] The order was confirmed by Singapore Airlines on July 12, 2001. In January 2005, the airline unveiled the slogan "First to Fly the A380 - Experience the Difference in 2006", to promote itself as the first airline to take delivery of the A380-800, which was expected to take place in the second quarter of 2006. [ [http://www.a380.singaporeair.com/news_pr_20050105.html SIA Reveals The "First to fly" Logo For Its A380] ] In June 2005, Airbus confirmed that due to unforeseen technical problems, initial deliveries of the Airbus A380 would be delayed by up to six months, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4598779.stm Airbus confirms super-jumbo delay] (BBC News: June 1, 2005)] with the first delivery now slated for November 2006. The announcement was met with fury by SIA's chief executive officer, Chew Choon Seng, who threatened to sue Airbus, saying:

He further stated that SIA will be turning its attention to Boeing instead, since it would be receiving the Boeing 777-300ER before the A380. Nevertheless, SIA has indicated that this would not affect its promotional campaign.

In February 2006, the first A380 in full Singapore Airlines livery was flown to Singapore, where it was displayed at Asian Aerospace 2006. On June 14, 2006, Singapore Airlines placed an initial order for the Boeing 787 as part of its future aircraft expansion. The order consisted of 20 787-9s and rights for 20 more. This order came one day after Airbus announced that the A380 superjumbo would be delayed by another 6 months.

A third delay was announced on 3 October 2006, pushing the initial delivery of the first A380 to October 2007. [ [http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/06_10_03_a380_delays_company_restructuring_plan.html Airbus Confirms Further A380 Delay and Launches Company Restructuring Plan] (Airbus: October 3, 2006)]

On 25 October 2007, the first commercial A380 service, flight number SQ 380, [cite news |title=First A380 Flight on 25-26 October |url=http://www.a380.singaporeair.com/content/news/newsrelease/20070816/index.html |publisher=Singapore Airlines |date=2007-08-16 |accessdate=2007-08-16 ] flew 455 passengers from Singapore to Sydney, touching down in Sydney Airport at 5:24 pm local time, where it received significant attention from the media. [cite news |title=Superjumbo in Sydney on maiden flight |url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=290092 |publisher= ninemsn |date=2007-10-25 |accessdate=2007-10-25] The airline donated all revenue generated from the flight to three charities in a ceremony the next day in Sydney. SIA began regular services with the A380 on 28 October 2007.

Corporate management

Singapore Airlines is the parent airline company of the Singapore Airlines Group of companies. [cite web|publisher= Singapore Airlines |title=Parent Airline Operations Lift Group Profit |accessdate = 2007-09-03 |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/docs/company_info/investor/financial/NewsReleaseFY0607.pdf ] The Singapore government investment and holding company, Temasek Holdings [cite web|publisher= Singapore Airlines |title=Singapore Airlines Annual Report 2006-07|accessdate= 2007-09-06 |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/docs/company_info/investor/annual/SIA_AnnReport0607.pdf? |page=80 ] is the majority shareholder with 54% shareholding. [cite web|publisher= Temasek Holdings |title=Major Investments |date= 31 March 2007 |url= http://www.temasekholdings.com.sg/our_portfolio_portfolio_highlights_major_investments.htm ] The Singapore government has regularly stressed its non-involvement in the management of the company, a point emphasised by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew when he declared that the aviation hub status of Singapore Changi Airport will be defended, even at the cost of SIA. [cite news |title=Singapore moves to defend air-hub status as no-frills rivalry heats up |publisher= USA Today |date= 7 April 2005 |url= http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-04-07-singapore-hub_x.htm |accessdate= 2007-09-01 ] However, he was personally involved in defusing tensions between the company and its pilots, [cite web|publisher= Little Speak |title=A lot more active |date= 12 November 2006 |url= http://www.littlespeck.com/content/politics/CTrendsPolitics-061112.htm ] warned the airline to cut costs, [cite web|publisher= The Taipei Times |title=SIA could lag as challengers rise |date= 15 January 2004 |url= http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/worldbiz/archives/2004/01/15/2003087724 ] and made public his advice to the airline to divest from its subsidiary companies. [cite web|publisher= Airline Industry Information |title=Minister says Singapore Airlines should sell off two subsidiaries |date= 30 December 2005 |url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CWU/is_2005_Dec_30/ai_n15978112 ] Still, independent research typically rates the airline as practicing sound corporate governance policies in accordance with national regulations. [cite web|publisher= Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC. |title=Proxy Paper — Singapore Airlines Limited |date= 29 July 2006 |url= http://www.glasslewis.com/downloads/sampleresearch/proxypaper/singaporeairlines.pdf ] In the lead up to the conclusion of the Open Skies Agreement with the United Kingdom on 2 October 2007, the Singapore aviation authorities referred to the airline's audited annual reports to dispel the notion that SIA receives state funding, subsidies or preferential treatment from the government, despite being a Government-linked company. [cite news|url= http://www.todayonline.com/articles/216291.asp|title= Open books to open skies|publisher= Today|date= 2007-10-12|accessdate= 2007-10-12 |first= Wee Keat|last=Leong]

tructure

Singapore Airlines has diversified into related industries and sectors, including ground handling, aircraft leasing, aviation engineering, air catering, and tour operations. It has also restructured itself by hiving off operational units as fully-owned subsidiaries to maintain its core business as a passenger airline. The Singapore Airlines Group comprised 25 subsidiary companies, 32 associated companies, and two joint venture companies in the financial year ending 31 March 2007. SIA sold all its equity share of 35.5% in a joint venture, Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise, to the Bank of China for US$980m on 15 December 2006 [ [http://www.saleleasing.com/content_press_release.php?oid=press_release&limit=5# BOC Aviation] ] . There have recently been suggestions to divest SIA Engineering Company and Singapore Airport Terminal Services, two of SIA's largest subsidiaries. Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, for one, voiced his opinion in December 2005 that Singapore Airlines should divest these two companies to focus on its core business of air transportation. [cite news|first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= On the prowl for independence|url= http://www.todayonline.com/articles/99578.asp|work= |publisher= Today|date= 7 February 2006|accessdate= 2007-09-03 ] Although Singapore Airlines has evaluated the divestment opportunity, no tentative plan has been announced to date. [cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Singapore Airlines Limited Proxy Paper|url= http://www.glasslewis.com/downloads/sampleresearch/proxypaper/singaporeairlines.pdf |work= |publisher= Glass Lewis and Co.|date= 29 June 2006|accessdate= 2007-09-03 ]

Major companies in Singapore Airlines Group include:

Branding

Branding and publicity efforts have revolved primarily around flight crew, [ cite book | author=Heracleous, Loizos | title=Flying High in a Competitive Industry: Cost-effective Service Excellence at Singapore Airlines | publisher=McGraw-Hill | year=2006|id=ISBN 0071249648] in contrast to most other airlines, who tend to emphasize aircraft and services in general. In particular, the promotion of stewardesses known as Singapore Girls has been widely successful and is a common feature in most of the airline's advertisements and publications. This branding strategy aims to build a mythical aura around the Singapore Girl, and portray her as representative of Asian hospitality and grace and the airline's training program for both cabin and technical flight crew complement this objective.

Dressed in a version of the Malay "Sarong Kebaya" designed by Pierre Balmain in 1968, [cite web|title= The Creation of Singapore Airlines |publisher= Singapore Airlines |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/siastory/history.jsp |date 2007 ] the uniform of the Singapore Girl has remained largely unchanged. Stewards wear light-blue business jackets and grey trousers.

Although a successful marketing image for the airline, the "Singapore Girl" emphasis received criticisms for its portrayal of women as subservient to males. Feminist groups say that its cultural references are outdated and that most Singaporean women today are modern and independent. [cite news |title= Singapore Girl faces makeover as airline looks to update image|author= Jan Dahinten |publisher= The Scotsman |date= 19 January 2007 |url= http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=97702007]

On 9 January 2007, the airline announced it would put to tender its existing advertising contract with Batey Ads, the Singaporean company headed by founder Ian Batey, who was responsible for building up the Singapore Girl brand name and its partner since 1972. [ cite news |title= SIA will tender out coveted ad contract |author= Karamjit Kaur |publisher= The Straits Times |date= 9 January 2007 |url= ] The image of the Singapore Girl would still remain, although SIA will now focus on advertising and promoting its modern fleet and technology instead. On 16 April 2007, the airline appointed New York-based advertising agent TBWA to handle its creative advertising for the airline. The contract is worth S$50 million per year over the following five years. Stephen Forshaw, SIA's Vice-President of Public Affairs, said they will start the new branding campaign "as early as there is a practicable opportunity". This change in advertising agency will not affect SIA's buying media agency, which is presently MEC. [ cite news|title= SIA's their biggest win |author= Tor Ching Li |publisher= Today |date= 17 April 2007 |url= http://www.todayonline.com/articles/183594.asp]

The livery of Singapore Airlines includes the "bird" (also known as the Silver Kris) logo on the tailfin, which has remained unchanged since Singapore Airlines' inception, but the logotype and stripes used since 1972 were changed in 1988 to the ones still in use today. The livery had a recent change, which saw the "Singapore Airlines" logotype enlarged and moved towards the front, in a similar fashion to the livery variant used on the Airbus A380, but the stripes and the "bird" remained the same.

ervices

Singapore Airlines have received numerous awards for the standard of service it provides. It claims to be "The World's Most Awarded Airline". [cite web|url=https://60years.singaporeair.com/global_icon.asp |title=Global Icon — the Singapore Girl|accessdate=2007-10-08 |format= |work=Singapore Airlines ] In the 29th annual Zagat survey by US pollsters [cite web|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6412507.stm |title= Zagat eyes global guidance |accessdate= 2008-01-10 |author= Matthew Wells |date= 2007-03-05 |work= BBC News 24 Business Report |publisher= British Broadcasting Corporation |quote= It is the best selling book in New York every day of the year.The modest maroon cover of the Zagat Survey has now become a familiar sight in 85 of the world's largest cities, incorporating the critical insights of almost 300,000 people. ] in November 2007, SIA was placed first in both premium and economy classes while additionally topping the poll for its website and for comfort, service, and food in all classes.cite web
url=http://www.zagat.com/downloads/pdf/IntAirline07ALL.pdf |title= International Airlines 2007 |accessdate= 2008-01-10 |author= Audrey Farolino |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= Curt Gathje, Karen Hudes |date= 2007-11-20 |format= pdf |work=World Independent News |publisher= Zagat Survey LLC |quote="This airline (a Star Alliance member) is rated No.1 once again."]

In-flight services

Cabins

Singapore Airlines announced a major upgrade to its cabin and in-flight service on 17 October 2006, [cite news|title= Singapore Airlines Unveils The World's Best Flying Experience |publisher= Singapore Airlines |date= 17 October 2006 |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/press_release/NE_5606.jsp] its first major overhaul in over 8 years and costing the airline about S$570 million. [cite news |title= SIA promises more luxury with new aircraft |author= Karamjit Kaur |publisher= The Straits Times |date= 1 January 2007 ] Initially planned for its Airbus A380-800's introduction into service in 2006, and subsequently on the Boeing 777-300ER, the postponement of the first A380-800 delivery meant it had to be introduced with the launch of the first Boeing 777-300ER with the airline on 5 December 2006 between Singapore and Paris. [cite news|title= World's Best Flying Experience Begins Tomorrow |publisher= Singapore Airlines |date= 4 December 2006 | url = http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/press_release/NE_6506.jsp]

First class

There are four variations of the first class cabin, although the "Singapore Airlines Suites" class is designated by Singapore Airlines as a "Class Beyond First" [ [http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/new/suite/index.jsp Singapore Airlines Suites] ] and uses a different fare code (R).

The "Suites" product, designed by French luxury yacht interior designer Jean-Jacques Coste consists of separate compartments with walls and doors 1.5 m high and is offered only on the new Airbus A380. The leather seat, upholstered by Poltrona Frau of Italy, is in to cm|num=35|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no wide (with armrests up and in to cm|num=23|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no wide when armrests are down) and a in to cm|num=23|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no LCD TV screen is mounted on the front wall. The in to cm|num=78|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no bed is separate from the seat and folds out from the back wall, with several other components of the suite lowering to accommodate the mattress. Windows are built into the doors and blinds offer privacy. "Suites" located in the centre can form a double bed after the privacy blinds between them are retracted into the ceiling.

Introduced on 17 October 2006, the "New" First Class on 777-300ER aircraft, designed by James Park Associates features a in to cm|num=35|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no wide seat upholstered with leather and mahogany and a in to cm|num=23|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no LCD screen. The seat folds out into a flat bed.

First Class on Boeing 747-400 aircraft features the "SkySuite", a seat that is in to cm|num=22|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no wide and can extend into a 6ft 6in bed. It features a in to cm|num=17|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no LCD screen and the "SkySuite" itself is upholstered in Connolly leather and trimmed with burr wood.

Selected Boeing 777-200s and all Boeing 777-300 aircraft (used mainly on regional flights) offer sleeper seats that are in to cm|num=21|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no wide.

Business class

On Airbus A340-500, Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, a fully-flat bed is available in a 1-2-1 configuration with forward-facing seats, in contrast to the herring-bone configuration used by several other airlines offering flat beds in business class. Arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, the "New Business Class" is up to convert|34|in|cm|0|abbr=on wide. The leather seats feature a convert|15.4|in|cm|1|lk=on|abbr=on diagonal screen size personal television, in-seat power supply and 2 USB ports. [ [http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/new/businessclass/index.jsp Singapore Airlines Redesigned Business Class] , Singapore Airlines, Retrieved on October 17, 2006]

"SpaceBed" seats are available on the following aircraft: Boeing 777 and Boeing 747. The "SpaceBed" seats are convert|27|in|cm|0|abbr=on wide and convert|72|in|cm|0|abbr=on long and convert to an angled flat bed. They have a retractableconvert|10.4|in|cm|1|abbr=on personal television.

Traditional "Ultimo" business class seats, which do not convert into beds, are offered on all Boeing 777 aircraft (excluding the 777-200ER) in a 2-3-2 configuration.

Executive Economy Class

Executive Economy Class was only available on Airbus A340-500 aircraft, where it replaced the standard economy-class cabins. The seat had 37in seat pitch, 20in width and 150° seat recline, with a 9in personal screen and in-seat power supply at selected seats. A minibar and lounge area was located at the rear of each cabin class on the aircraft where light snacks and drinks were available during the flight [ [https://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/cabin/exececonomyclass_seat.jsp Singapore Airlines Executive Economy Class] , Singapore Airlines, Retrieved on May 6, 2007] .

Executive Economy Class was phased out in mid-2008, when the Airbus A340-500s were converted to all-business class seating. [cite press release | url = http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/03-04-2008/0004767056&EDATE=# | title = Singapore Airlines to Launch First All-Business Class Flights From USA to Asia | publisher = Singapore Airlines]

Economy class

All economy class seats in the Boeing 747 and Boeing 777's (excluding the Boeing 777-300ER) have personal television screens, footrests, adjustable headrests with side-flap "ears" and adjustable seat reclines. Baby bassinets are available at some bulkheads. [cite web|url= https://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/cabin/economyclass/index.jsp |title= Economy Class Cabin — Singapore Airlines |accessdate= 2007-05-06 |format= |work= Singapore Airlines ]

Economy class seats on Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A380 aircraft are 19in wide, offer in-seat power and have a 10.6in personal TV. [cite web|url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/new/economyclass/index.jsp |title= Singapore Airlines Redesigned Economy Class |accessdate= 2006-10-17 |format= |work= Singapore Airlines]

Cuisine

Singapore Airlines offers "World Gourmet Cuisine" in all three classes. Regional dishes are often served on their respective flights, such as the "Kyo-Kaiseki", "Shi Quan Shi Mei", and "Shahi Thali" meals available for first class passengers on flights to Japan, China and India, respectively.

SIA has also introduced a "Popular Local Fare" culinary programme offering local favourites to passengers in all classes flying from selected major destinations.

Business and first class passengers may also choose to use the "Book the Cook" service on some flights, where specific dishes may be selected in advance from a more extensive menu. [cite web |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/dining/bookcook.jsp |title= Book the Cook |accessdate= |format= |work= Singapore Airlines] [cite web |url= http://www.cheapflights.com/airlines/singapore.html |title= Travel Tips: Singapore Airlines |accessdate= |format= |work= Cheap flights ]

In-flight entertainment system and communication

Singapore Airline's in-flight entertainment system, KrisWorld, was introduced in 1997. Long-range aircraft using the "Wiseman 3000" system offer on-demand movies, audio and Nintendo games in all classes. Passengers flying "Singapore Airlines Suites", "First Class" and "Business Class" receive active noise-cancelling headphones.

In March 2005, SIA introduced the Connexion by Boeing in-flight Internet service, and the system was extended to offer live TV in June. [ cite web| url = http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2004/q4/nr_041201j.html | publisher = Boeing | title = Singapore Airlines and Connexion by Boeing Finalize Plans for High-Speed, In-Flight Connectivity | date= 2 December 2004] The service ended in December 2006 when Connexion was ceased by Boeing.

From October 2005, SIA has offered free language lessons in 22 languages [cite news| publisher = International Herald Tribune | date= 14 October 2005 | url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-114153082.html | title = Lessons in Flight around the World | author = Daniel Altman] and, starting December 2005, live text news feeds. [cite web | publisher = Singapore Airlines | date= 12 December 2005 | title = Singapore Airlines Presents Live Text News And Expands Inflight Games Selection| url = http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/press_release/NE_6905.jsp ]

SIA announced that Panasonic Avionics Corporation has been selected to create the new KrisWorld, using the new ex² system. [cite press release|title= Singapore Airlines New IFE System From Panasonic |publisher= Singapore Airlines |date= September 23, 2006 |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/zh_TW/content/company_info/press_release/NE_4806.jsp |format= | language = | accessdate = | quote = ] [ [http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/entertainment/index.jsp Singapore Airlines Redesigned KrisWorld] , Singapore Airlines, 17 October 2006]

* Widescreen LCD TV with 1280 x 768 resolution
* A range of movies, TV, music, games, and interactive programs
* Built-in office software, based on the StarOffice Productivity Suite for use with the USB port
* In-seat AC power port

Ground services

Passengers may check-in between two to 48 hours prior to flight departure. This may be done over the counter or at the lounge within the airport. Self-service kiosks are also available at Singapore Changi Airport.

Alternatively, they may check-in at the Singapore Airlines Service Centre at The Paragon in Orchard Road, through the Internet or by short message service. Online printing of boarding passes is available through Internet check-in. Passengers on short trips may also check-in on their return flight upon departure from the city of origin.

Lounges

The airline's Silver Kris Lounges are open to "Singapore Airlines Suites", "First Class" and "Business Class" passengers in addition to Solitaire PPS Club, PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members. These members may also have access to lounges operated by the airline's partners. These lounges are located in: [cite web |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/before/lounges/index.jsp |title= Silver Kris Lounges – Worldwide Lounges |accessdate=2008-02-03 |format= |work= ]

* Adelaide
* Amsterdam
* Bangkok
* Brisbane
* Hong Kong
* Kuala Lumpur
* London
* Manila
* Melbourne
* Osaka
* Penang
* Perth
* San Francisco
* Singapore
* Sydney
* Taipei

Frequent-flyer program

The Singapore Airlines frequent flyer program, has twocite web|url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/aboutkf/benefits.jsp |title= Your KrisFlyer Benefits at a Glance |accessdate=2007-04-22] cite web|url=http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/aboutpps/index.jsp |title= The PPS Club|accessdate= 2007-04-22] categories:

KrisFlyer

Miles are earned and redeemed on Singapore Airlines' own services as well as with Krisflyer partners. Partners include all Star Alliance members, SilkAir, Virgin Atlantic and numerous hotel chains and car-hire companies.cite web|url=http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/aboutpps/privileges.jsp|title=PPS Club Privileges at a Glance|accessdate=2007-04-22] KrisFlyer is divided into KrisFlyer, KrisFlyer Elite Silver and KrisFlyer Elite Gold, which correspond to Star Alliance Silver and Gold, respectively. Elite Silvercite web|title= About KrisFlyer Elite Silver -- Singapore Airlines |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/aboutkf/elitesilver.jsp |accessdate= 2007-04-22] and Elite Goldcite web|title= About KrisFlyer Elite Gold -- Singapore Airlines |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/aboutkf/elitegold.jsp |accessdate= 2007-04-25] status is given to passengers who have accrued 25,000 and 50,000 miles, respectively, within a 12-month period. The 12-month period is predefined according to when you initially applied for Krisflyer membership, so traveling 25,000 miles over a 12 month period may not qualify for Silver status unless it corresponds with the 12 month period assigned to you by Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines flights in booking classes V, Q, G, N and T (group and promotional fares) and SilkAir flights in booking classes W and L earn no miles.cite web|title= Terms and Conditions|url= https://www.singaporeair.com/saa/Util/showPopup.jspx?method=window&windowUrl=/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/customerservice/terms.jsp |accessdate = 2007-04-22]

The PPS Club

"Priority Passenger Service" (PPS) [cite news |first=Derrick |last= Paulo |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Priority perks for fewer SIA flyers |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/263620/1/.html |work=Channel NewsAsia |publisher= |date= 2007-03-13 |accessdate=2008-02-02 ] is for passengers who have accumulated S$25,000 worth of PPS Value within a year.cite web|title= PPS Club Membership - Singapore Airlines |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/aboutpps/pps.jsp |accessdate= 2007-04-25] PPS Value is accrued while flying "Singapore Airlines Suites", "First Class" or "Business Class" on Singapore Airlines, or Business Class on SilkAir. The PPS is divided into the PPS Club, Solitaire PPS Club and the Solitaire PPS Club Life.cite web|url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/aboutpps/solitaire_life.jsp |title= Solitaire PPS Club/Solitaire PPS Club Life Membership |accessdate= 2007-04-22]

A member with PPS Club status will qualify for Solitaire PPS Club by accumulating PPS Value of S$250,000 within five years.cite web|url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/aboutpps/solitaire_life.jsp |title= Solitaire PPS Club/Solitaire PPS Club Life Membership |accessdate=2007-04-22] The Solitaire Life PPS Club status was formerly given to members who accrued a total of 1,875,000 miles or 1,000 PPS sectors. Benefits are equal to Solitaire PPS Club members but did not have a re-qualification criteria. Singapore Airlines has since ceased accepting new Solitaire Life PPS Club members.cite web|url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/customerservice/faq/changes_pps.jsp? |title= Changes to the PPS Club Programme — Effective 1 September 2007|accessdate= 2007-04-22]

All PPS members have priority check-in, baggage handling, guaranteed Economy Class seats when wait-listed on Business and First Class and have access to the business-class section of the Silver Kris Lounge. Solitaire PPS members and their spouses also access First Class check-in and the First Class sections of Silver Kris Lounge.

Destinations

Singapore Airlines flies to 65 destinations in 35 countries on five continents from its primary hub in Singapore. It has a strong presence in the Southeast Asian region, which together with its subsidiary SilkAir, connects Singapore with more international destinations in the region than any other Southeast Asian airline.

The airline has a key role on the Kangaroo Route. It flew 11.0% of all international traffic into and out of Australia in the month ended March 2008. [http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/11/Files/0308_M.pdf]

SIA has taken advantage of liberal bilateral aviation agreements between Singapore and Thailand, and with the United Arab Emirates, to offer more onward connections from Bangkok and Dubai respectively. On 1 September 2005, for example, it launched six-times weekly flights between Bangkok and Tokyo. China and India are major markets which fuelled much of its growth in recent years.Fact|date=May 2008

The airline's strengths have also invited protectionist measures to keep it out of key foreign markets. In particular, it has been unsuccessful in gaining access on transpacific routes from Australia to the United States. The Australian authorities deferred decisions to allow the airline on the route to the United States from Australia. [cite web|publisher= Channel NewsAsia |title= Australia rules out opening up Qantas' trans-Pacific route to rivals|date= 8 January 2007 |url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific_business/view/251240/1/.html ] SIA has stated that it wants to dramatically expand service to Canada and establish a North America hub in Vancouver, but has complained about being prevented from doing so by Canada's protectionist policies. [ [http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/news/business/story.html?id=bc1c8cc1-6ba4-4a55-95a0-0eebe203ab92 Airlines’ The sky that is limited] , The Vancouver Sun, retrieved 7 April 2007]

AirAsia, a low-cost airline based in Malaysia, accused Singapore Airlines of double standards, when it claimed that the Government of Singapore has attempted to keep it out of the Singapore market, [cite news|last= Rochfort |first= Scott |title= Air Asia chief backs Qantas on LA route |publisher= Sydney Morning Herald|date= 25 January 2005 |url= http://www.smh.com.au/news/Business/Air-Asia-chief-backs-Qantas-on-LA-route/2005/01/24/1106415528093.html |accessdate= 2008-04-01 ] although there has been no official word that Singapore Airlines has objected to the entry of Air Asia. Singapore Airlines has, instead, welcomed [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/25/business/AS-FIN-Singapore-Malaysia-Airline-Route.php] [http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_171011.html] the liberation of the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route which it dominated together with Malaysia Airlines [http://www.china.org.cn/english/travel/241889.htm] for over three decades [http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/181423,budget-airlines-break-into-singapore-kuala-lumpur-route.html] , accounting for about 85% of the over 200 flight frequencies then operated [http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/worldbiz/archives/2007/02/12/2003348728] . A highly lucrative route for LCCs due to its short distance and heavy traffic as the fourth-busiest in Asia [http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080515/malaysian-airasia-seeks-fair-competition.htm] , it was eventually opened to partial liberalisation from 1 February 2008 with 2 additional flights a day awarded to LCCs operating from either country [cite web|title = Air shuttle service agreement between MAS, SIA out of Competition Act |publisher= The Straits Times |date= 25 September 2007 |url= http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest+News/Singapore/STIStory_161272.html |accessdate= 2008-04-01 ] cite press release|title= AirAsia celebrates "People's Day" with the liberalisation of Kuala Lumpur-Singapore Route |publisher= AirAsia |date= 1 February 2008 |url= http://www.airasia.com/site/sg/en/pressRelease.jsp?id=d2c1e46d-7f000010-1eb7d250-746698c9 |accessdate= 2008-04-01 ] , bringing Singapore Airline's capacity share on the route down to about 46.7%, Malaysia Airlines' down to 25.3%, and increase to 17.3% to the three LCCs now permitted on the route, and the remainder shared by three other airlines as of 22 September 2008 [http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/singaporekuala-lumpur-route-to-benefit-from-liberalisation-capa-3730] . Singapore Airline's capacity share will drop further from 1 December 2008 when the route is opened up completely to liberalisation, when it announced plans to share its capacity with sister airline SilkAir [http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_284380.html] . Malaysia Airlines, the main opponent to liberalisation of the route [http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hVTA3w-tzK0DXeAErwdBYNPfvWXQ] and deemed to be the party which stands to loose the most, will continue to codeshare with both Singapore Airlines and SilkAir on the route [http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1916450/] .

Codeshare agreements

Singapore Airlines has codeshare agreements [cite web|publisher = Singapore Airlines|date = 15 August 2007 |title= Codeshare Partners |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/partners/codeshare_partners.jsp ] with its fully-owned subsidiary SilkAir; Virgin Atlantic Airways, in which it owns a 49% stake; Malaysia Airlines; Royal Brunei Airlines, where it codeshares on selected regional routes; and with many Star Alliance member airlines of which it became a member in April, 2000. [cite web|publisher= Singapore Airlines |date= 15 August 2007 |title= Star Alliance Member Airlines |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/partners/star_alliance.jsp ]

Incidents and accidents

This covers Singapore Airlines flights; for incidents relating to SilkAir see that article

* 26 March 1991ndash Singapore Airlines Flight 117 was hijacked by Pakistani militants en route to Singapore, where it was stormed by Singapore Special Operations forces. All of the hijackers were killed in the operation, with no fatalities amongst the passengers and crew.

* 31 October 2000ndash Singapore Airlines Flight 006 operated by a Boeing 747-400, crashed at Chiang Kai-shek International Airport (now Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport) in Taiwan killing 83 people aboard and injuring 71 people during heavy rain caused by Typhoon Xangsane . SQ006 was the first fatal crash of a Singapore Airlines aircraft.

References

External links

* [http://www.singaporeair.com Official website]

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