Singapore Airlines redefines long-haul air travel with the launch of its
new all-Business Class service to New York (Newark). SQ 22 departed
Singapore today at 1100hrs and is expected to arrive in New York at 1750hrs.
The return flight, SQ 21, will depart New York at 2300hrs the same day, and
arrive in Singapore at 0550hrs on 17 May (all times local).
The newly
reconfigured Airbus A340-500 is fitted with 100 of the Airline’s new
award-winning Business Class seats. With this new configuration, Singapore Airlines
is the first to operate an all-Business Class service on the transpacific.
Each
leather-upholstered Business Class seat measures 30 inches (76 cm) in width;
almost 50 percent wider than most
products in this class. Providing customers with more personal space and
privacy, the seats are arranged in a
4-abreast, 1-2-1, layout, with every seat having direct access to the
aisle. When it is time to sleep, the new Business Class seat converts
into a fully-flat bed.
Singapore Airlines’ Executive Vice-President Marketing and the Regions,
Huang Cheng Eng, says the all-Business Class service has been launched in response to
demand from corporate travelers.
“Our direct flights to the US have always been well-received. With this
newly reconfigured aircraft, we will be increasing our Business Class capacity,
and offering our customers travelling to the US, the opportunity to experience
our award-winning new Business Class seat.”
The conversion of all
five of the Airline’s A340-500s to an all-Business Class seating is being
carried out in phases. For now, the all-Business Class A340-500 operates three
times weekly, with daily services to New York by end June. By late September
2008, Singapore Airlines will also fly the all-Business Class service to Los
Angeles daily.