As hinted last year in my article Singapore Airlines Considering
all Business Class Cabin to the US, Singapore Airlines
have just confirmed this story by announcing they will convert 5 of its Airbus
A340-500 ultra-long-range aircraft into an all-business class configuration,
which will service daily flights between Singapore and New York, and Singapore
and Los Angeles.
Singapore Airlines will achieve this
configuration by converting its current two class 181 seat configuration with
100 of their award winning Business Class seats, the same design currently found
in Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
These all Business Class aircraft will be
configured in a 4 abreast, 1-2-1 layout, with each seat upholstered in leather
and measuring 30 inches (76cm) wide.
Singapore Airlines Executive Vice President Marketing and Regions, Mr
Huang Cheng Eng,
said the change recognises the popularity amongst business travellers of 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
reconfigured aircraft will be gradually phased into service from mid May 2008
on the Singapore New York route, with the upgrade of the route expected to be
complete by June 2008, and the Los Angeles route expected to be complete by
late September 2008