Singapore Airlines

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Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA) (Chinese: 新加坡航空公司; pinyin: Xīnjiāpō Hángkōng Gōngsī, abbreviated 新航; Malay: Syarikat Penerbangan Singapura; Tamil: சிங்கப்பூர் ஏர்லைன்ஸ்) (SGX: C6L) is the national airline of Singapore. Singapore Airlines operates a hub at Singapore Changi Airport and has a presence in the airline markets of Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and the competitive "kangaroo route" between Europe and Oceania. 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 A340.^[1][2]

SIA has diversified into ground handling, aviation engineering, air catering, and travel tour marketing. Its wholly owned subsidiary, SilkAir, manages regional flights to secondary cities with smaller capacity requirements. A cargo subsidiary, Singapore Airlines Cargo, leases the entire freighter fleet from SIA and manages the cargo holds in all SIA passenger aircraft. The airline 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 second largest carrier by market capitalisation. It overtook Southwest Airlines in 2006/7,^[3] but was itself superseded by Air China in 2007 (although Air China's gain may be short-lived).^[4] It ranks amongst the top 15 carriers worldwide in terms of revenue passenger kilometres,^[5] is the 8th largest airline in Asia and ranked 6th in the world for international passengers carried.^[6]

Singapore Airlines was ranked 17th in Fortune's World’s Most Admired Companies rankings in 2007^[7]) and has built up a strong brand name^[8] as a trendsetter^[9] in the aviation industry, particularly in terms of service excellence, innovation, and safety,^[10] coupled with consistent profitability.^[11] It has won numerous awards and accolades and is an industry bellwether for aircraft purchases.^[12] The airline was Asia's first and the world's third airline to be accredited by IATA with the IOSA (IATA Operations Safety Audit).^[13].

[edit] History

[edit] Early history

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.^[14] Regular weekly scheduled flights quickly followed from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang from 1 May 1947 with the same aircraft type.^[15] 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.^{[citation needed]} 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.

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.^[16][17][18] 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. 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.

[edit] Modern history

Singapore Airlines saw rapid growth during the 1970s, adding cities in the Indian subcontinent and Asia to its 22-city network, and adding Boeing 747s to its fleet. The 1980s saw the addition of the United States, Canada, and European cities to the airline's route map, with Madrid becoming the first Hispanic city to be served by Singapore Airlines.

Boeing 747-400s were introduced into the Singapore Airlines 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.

In 2004, Singapore Airlines began non-stop trans-Pacific flights from Singapore to Los Angeles and Newark, utilising the Airbus A340-500 (dubbed Leadership by the airline). These flights marked the first non-stop air services between Singapore and the USA. The Singapore to Newark flight set a record, which it still holds, as the longest scheduled commercial flight, with a flying time of approximately 18 hours between Singapore and Newark and 20 hours on the return journey.

On September 29 2000, Singapore Airlines 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.^[19] The order was confirmed by Singapore Airlines on July 12 2001. In April 2004, SIA announced that they will launch A380 service on flights between Sydney and Singapore and onwards to London, creating the first A380 service on the kangaroo route.^[20]

In January 2005, the airline unveiled the slogan "First to fly the A380 - experience the difference in 2006", to promote itself as the world's first airline to take delivery of the A380-800 double-decker super jumbo, which was expected to take place in the second quarter of 2006.^[21] 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,^[22] with the first delivery now slated for November 2006, well after the peak northern hemisphere summer travel season. The announcement was met with fury by SIA's CEO, 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.

Upon completion of a review of the A380 program on 3 October 2006, the new CEO of Airbus, Christian Streiff, announced a third delay for delivery of the first A380 to Singapore Airlines.^[24] The largest delay yet, it pushed the first delivery of a single A380 aircraft to Singapore Airlines in October 2007.

At a Cabinet meeting on February 22, 2006, the Australian government decided not to grant fifth freedom rights to Singapore Airlines on flights from Australia to the United States.^{[citation needed]} Singapore Airlines had argued that transpacific flights from Australia suffered from under-capacity, leading to limited competition and relatively high air fares.^{[citation needed]}

On 25 October 2007, the first commercial A380 service, flight number SQ 380,^[25] flew 471 passengers from Singapore to Sydney, touching down in Kingsford Smith International Airport at 5:24 pm local time, where it received significant attention from the media.^[26] The airline donated all revenue generated from airfares on the flight to charity in a ceremony the next day in Sydney. SIA began regular services with the A380 on 28 October 2007 in a 471-seat configuration Singapore–Sydney service and will commence flights to London on its kangaroo route service in February 2008. SIA has also expressed interest in flying the A380 on services to Japan.

[edit] Incidents and Accidents

• On 26 March 1991, Singapore Airlines Flight 117, an Airbus A310-300 flying from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, was hijacked in mid-flight. The aircraft was stormed by the Singapore Armed Forces Commando Formation the following morning and the four Pakistani^[27] hijackers were killed. None of the passengers nor crew were injured.^[28]

• On 31 October 2000, Singapore Airlines Flight 006, a Boeing 747-400 flying from Singapore to Los Angeles via Taipei, hit runway equipment while attempting to take off on a closed runway at Chiang Kai Shek International Airport. The collision killed 83 out of the 179 people on board.^[29]

[edit] Corporate management

Singapore Airlines is the parent airline company of the Singapore Airlines Group of companies.^[30] The Singapore government investment and holding company, Temasek Holdings^[31] is the majority shareholder with 55% shareholding.^[32] 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.^[33] However, he was personally involved in defusing tensions between the company and its pilots,^[34] warned the airline to cut costs,^[35] and made public his advice to the airline to divest from its subsidiary companies.^[36] Still, independent research typically rates the airline as practicing sound corporate governance policies in accordance with national regulations.^[37] 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.^[38]

[edit] Structure

Main article: Singapore Airlines subsidiaries

Singapore Airlines has diversified over the years in 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 premium passenger airline.

The Singapore Airlines Group comprised of 25 subsidiary companies, 32 associated companies, and two joint venture companies in the financial year ending 31 March 2007. It divested itself completely from two associated companies, namely Asia Leasing Limited and Mid-East Airport Services, where it previously held 21% and 41.6% respectively. It also 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^[39]

Some major companies in Singapore Airlines Group include:

Suggestions to divest its two biggest subsidiaries, SIA Engineering Company and Singapore Airport Terminal Services, have stretched back several years,^[40] in particular when Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew voiced his opinion that the airline should divest the two listed companies to focus on its core business in December 2005.^[41] The company has yet to react in kind, however, although it did evaluate this possibility.^[42]

[edit] Operational investments

The airline has attempted to invest in other airlines in a bid to expand beyond its Singapore base, although the results are often financially negative. In 1989, it went into a tripartite alliance with Delta Air Lines and Swissair,^[43] but terminated their partnership in 1999 after divesting their 5% equity stake in each other's company. The airline purchased 25% of Air New Zealand in 2000. However following the near collapse of Air New Zealand the New Zealand government bought into the airline to rescue it from bankruptcy, reducing Singapore Airlines' stake to 4.5%. This was subsequently sold in October 2004 at a substantial loss.

SIA bought a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic Airways on 30 March 2000 worth 600 million pounds in cash^[44] in the hope of leveraging on it on the lucrative transatlantic market, but by 2007, there has been reports of underperformance and the possibility of divesting its stake.^[45] In September 2004, the airline established low-cost carrier Tiger Airways with a 49% stake, in partnership with Indigo Partners LLC, the investment firm founded by Bill Franke, (24%); Irelandia Investments Limited, the private investment arm of Tony Ryan and his family, (16%); and Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd (11%).

On 2 September 2007, the airline concluded its purchase of a 15.7% stake in China Eastern Airlines, with Temasek Holdings holding another 8.3% in the Chinese airline.^[46] The deal will see China Eastern Airline's parent company, China Eastern Holdings, shareholding drop to 51% from 59.7%, and give SIA the right to nominate two members on China Eastern Airline's management board.^[47] The deal, worth 7.2 billion Hong Kong Dollars, will involve SIA buying 1.24 billion shares at 3.80 Hong Kong dollars a share, evoking a major rally in China Eastern Airline's shares which rose 83.91% to hit 6.86 Hong Kong dollars a day after the announcement of the deal.^[48] SIA's impending entry into the Chinese market prompted Cathay Pacific to launch an unsuccessful attempt to block the deal by buying a significant stake in China Eastern Airlines and voting down the deal together with Air China, which already holds an 11% stake in the airline at the shareholder's meeting in December 2007.^[49]

[edit] Financial performance

[edit] Operating performance

[edit] Branding

Main article: Singapore Girl

Branding and publicity efforts have revolved primarily around flight crew,^[52] in contrast to most other airlines, who tend to emphasize aircraft and services in general. In particular, the promotion of female flight attendants as Singapore Girl's 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.

As part of efforts to build up the image of the "Singapore Girl", the airline runs a rigorous training program for cabin and flight crew to ensure the SIA brand experience is delivered. The airline's repute, and the resulting prestige of the job has allowed it to be highly selective during its recruitment process as it receives numerous applications locally and from around the region^{[citation needed]} but only 20% of the hopefuls will be sent through to become a "Singapore Girl".

Dressed in a version of the Malay Sarong Kebaya designed by Pierre Balmain in 1968,^[53] the uniform of the Singapore Girl has remained largely unchanged. The male flight attendant, in contrast, wears relatively sober light blue business jackets and grey trousers. In April 2001, the shoes were replaced by Pierre Balmain-designed safety shoes, in light of safety reviews after the Singapore Airlines Flight 006 crash where female flight attendants complained of missing sandals.

Although a successful marketing image for the airline, the "Singapore Girl" emphasis has also received criticisms for its portrayal of women as subservient to male customers. Most feminist groups also contend that its cultural references are outdated and that most Singaporean women today are modern and independent.^[54] On 9 January 2007, the airline announced its intentions to tender out 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.^[55] The image of the Singapore Girl will 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 advertising for the airline, beating two other shortlisted candidates, namely DDB and Publicis. This contract is worth S$50 million per year over the following five years, making it the agent's largest win since it started operations in Asia in the late 1990s. The company provided no details about the three firms' bids, though its spokesperson Stephen Forshaw 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.^[56]

[edit] Services

Main article: Singapore Airlines awards and accolades

Singapore Airlines have received numerous awards and accolades for the standard of service it provides. It claims to be "The World's Most Awarded Airline".^[57]

[edit] In-flight services

[edit] Cabins

Singapore Airlines announced a major upgrade to its cabin and in-flight service on 17 October 2006,^[58] its first major overhaul in over 8 years and costing the airline about S$570 million.^[59] 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.^[60] There are no plans to introduce the service to the existing SIA fleet.

[edit] First class

There are four variations of the first class cabin, although the Suites class is designated by SIA as a "Class Beyond First"^[61] and uses a different fare class (R).

The flagship Suites product consists of separate compartments with walls and doors 1.5 m high, and is offered only on the new Airbus A380, which began service on 25 October 2007. The leather seat is 35 in (89 cm) wide (with armrests up and 23 in (58 cm) wide when armrests are down) and a 23 in (58 cm) LCD TV screen is mounted on the front wall. The 78 in (198 cm) bed is separate from the seat and folds out from the back wall, with several other components of the suite folding away 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. Suites are not available by award redemption.

Introduced on 17 October 2006, the "New" First Class on 777-300ER aircraft features a 35 inch wide seat upholstered with leather and mahogany and a 23in LCD screen. The seat reclines into a completely flat bed.

First Class on Boeing 747-400 aircraft features the SkySuite, a seat that is 22" wide and can extend into a 6ft 6in bed. It features a 17" 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 21 in (53 cm) wide.

[edit] Business class

On Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A380 aircraft, a fully-flat bed is offered in a 1-2-1 configuration with forward-facing seats, in contrast to the herring-bone configuration used by several other airlines offering fully flat beds in business class. Because it uses the same configuration (1-2-1) as first class but with smaller seats in both aircraft, the aisles are somewhat wider. The leather seats feature a 15.4 in (39.1 cm) diagonal screen size personal television and an in-seat power supply.^[62]

SpaceBed seats are available on Airbus A340-500 services; Boeing 777-200ER services; and Boeing 747 services between Singapore, Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, and the United States. These SpaceBed seats are 27 in (69 cm) wide and 72 in (183 cm) long and convert to an angled flat bed. They have a retractable 10.4 in (26.4 cm) personal television. As the SpaceBeds are angled downwards at eight degrees to the cabin floor (a configuration that is ameliorated somewhat by the nose-up attitude of the aircraft during flight), they are considered inferior to full-flat beds^[63].

Traditional Ultimo business class seats, which do not convert into beds, are offered on all Boeing 777-200 (excluding the 777-200ER) and 777-300 aircraft in a 2-3-2 configuration.

[edit] Executive economy class

Executive economy is only offered on Airbus A340-500 aircraft and replaces the standard economy class cabins. The seat has 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 is located at the rear of each cabin class on the aircraft where light snacks and drinks are offered during the flight.^[64]

[edit] Economy class

All economy class seats have personal TVs, footrests, an adjustable headrest with side-flap "ears" and adjustable seat recline. Baby bassinets are available at some bulkheads.^[65]

Economy class seats on Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A380 aircraft are 19in wide and offer in-seat power and a 10.6in personal TV.^[66]

[edit] 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.

Singapore Airlines has also introduced a Popular Local Fare culinary programme offering Singaporean favourites to passengers in all classes flying from Singapore to 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.^[67][68]

[edit] In-flight entertainment system and communication

SIA'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 in First and Business class receive active noise-cancelling headphones.

In March 2005, SIA introduced Connexion by Boeing in-flight Internet service, and the system was extended to offer live TV in June.^[69] The service ended in December 2006 when Connexion was shut down by Boeing.

From October 2005, SIA has offered free language lessons in 22 languages^[70] and, starting December 2005, live text news feeds.^[71]

Singapore Airlines announced that Panasonic Avionics Corporation has been selected to create the new KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines' IFE system, using the new ex² system.^[72][73]

• 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 a USB port
• In-seat AC power port

[edit] Ground services

Passengers may check-in between two to 48 hours prior to flight departure. This may be done traditionally 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.

[edit] Lounges

The airline's Silver Kris Lounges are open to first and business class passengers, 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:^[74]

[edit] Frequent flyer programme

The Singapore Airlines frequent flyer programme, KrisFlyer, has 2 categories, namely the KrisFlyer Elite^[75] and the PPS Club^[76]. In addition to Singapore Airlines' own services, flights on partner airlines including all Star Alliance members, SilkAir and Virgin Atlantic can also be used to earn and redeem miles.^[77] Not all flights are eligible: for instance, Singapore Airlines and SilkAir 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. ^[78]

The KrisFlyer Elite

The KrisFlyer Elite is divided into KrisFlyer, KrisFlyer Elite Silver and KrisFlyer Elite Gold, which correspond to Star Alliance Silver and Gold respectively. Elite Silver^[79] and Elite Gold^[80] status are given to passengers who have accrued 25,000 and 50,000 miles respectively within a 12-month period.

The PPS Club

Priority Passenger Service (PPS)^[81] is for passengers who have accumulated $25,000 worth of PPS Value within a year.^[82]. PPS Value is accrued while flying Singapore Airlines Suites, Business Class or First Class on Singapore Airlines, or Business Class on SilkAir. The PPS is divided into the PPS Club, the Solitaire PPS Club and the Solitaire PPS Club Life.^[83] A member with PPS Club status will qualify for Solitaire PPS Club if he accumulates PPS Value of S$250,000 within five years. ^[83] The Solitaire Life PPS Club status is 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 it does not have a requalification criteria. ^[83] Singapore Airlines has ceased accepting new Solitaire Life PPS members.^[84]

All PPS members have guaranteed economy-class seats when waitlisted on business/first and access to Silver Kris Business Class lounges. Solitaire PPS members and their spouses also have access to first class check-in counters and Silver Kris First Class lounges.

[edit] Destinations

Main article: Singapore Airlines destinations

Singapore Airlines flies to 65 destinations in 35 countries on five continents from its primary hub in Singapore. It has a particularly 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.

Beyond the immediate region, the airline has a key role in the important Kangaroo Route. It flew 10.9% of all international traffic into and out of Australia in the month ended August 2007, second only to Qantas, for a total of 2,324,530 passengers and accounting for 65% of the market on that segment.^[85]

While the airline does not maintain sizeable hubs elsewhere, it 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 for the airline and has fuelled much of its growth in recent years, with flights to Beijing were increased to 3 times daily from 1 June 2005, and flights to Bangalore increased to daily.

The airline's strengths have also invited protectionist measures to keep it out of key foreign markets.^{[citation needed]} 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^[86] Singapore Airlines has stated that it wants to dramatically expand service to Canada and establish a North America hub in Vancouver, but has complained about being shut out by Canada's protectionist policies.^[87]

[edit] Codeshare agreements

Singapore Airlines has codeshare agreements 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.^[88]

As of January 2008, Singapore Airlines has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:^[89]

[edit] Fleet

Main article: Singapore Airlines fleet

Singapore Airlines operates a full wide-body aircraft fleet from four aircraft families: the Boeing 747, the Boeing 777, Airbus A380 and the Airbus A340. In keeping with its policy of maintaining a young fleet, which stands at an average of 6.6 years in August 2007, it renews its fleet relatively frequently. The airline's aircraft purchases are often closely watched by other airlines. Lim Meow Seng, the airline's general manager for the Gulf Region says:

The airline has a history of naming its fleet according to plane makes. The Boeing 747-400s are dubbed "Megatop", while the Boeing 777s are called "Jubilee". The Airbus A340-500s were named "Leadership", but that has since been dropped. Names for airliners previously flown by the airline included: "Superbus" for the 8 Airbus A300, "3TEN" for the 23 Airbus A310-300, "Celestar" for the 17 Airbus A340-300,"Super B" for the 23 Boeing 747-200B, "Big Top" for the 14 Boeing 747-300.

[edit] Historical fleet

Since 1937, the predecessors of Singapore Airlines's operated the Airspeed Consul, Boeing 707, Boeing 737, Bristol Britannia, Douglas DC-3, Douglas DC-4 Skymaster, de Havilland Comet 4, Fokker F27, Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation and the Vickers Viscount. Upon its incorporation as Singapore Airlines Limited on 28 January 1972, the airline acquired seven Boeing 707s and five Boeing 737s from MSA on 30 September 1972.

Its first purchase since incorporation was for another Boeing 707 from Continental Airlines which was delivered on 1 October 1972. The first Boeing 747-200 for the airline was delivered soon after on 31 July 1973, which also marked SIA's first direct delivery of a new aircraft. Boeing 727s were first delivered on 30 August 1977, Boeing 747-300s from 29 April 1983, and Boeing 757s from 12 November 1984. The airline ordered its first aircraft from Airbus, the A300B4 in 1979,^[93] which joined the fleet in 1980 and broke the monopoly Boeing had enjoyed in SIA's fleet. Other Airbus models flown include the Airbus 310 since 1984 and the Airbus 340-300 from 26 October 1996.

In 1977, and from 1979 to 1980, Singapore Airlines flew a Concorde that it shared with British Airways. Concorde G-BOAD had Singapore Airlines' livery on the right side, and British Airways' logo on the left. It was used on the London to Singapore via Bahrain service. The service was withdrawn for financial reasons and complaints about the noise from the Malaysian government.

[edit] Current fleet

The Singapore Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:^[94]

^{*First Class is offered on aircraft with a three-class configuration. Airbus A380 aircraft offer Singapore Airlines Suites.
†Singapore Airlines is considering converting these aircraft to all business class considering the ultra-long haul flights and the mainly business customers that use the service[95]}

[edit] Boeing 747

The Boeing 747s have been the primary long-range aircraft for the airline since their introduction in the fleet, first with the -212B variant in 31 July 1973. It was at one time the world's largest operator of the -400 variant when the 34th frame was delivered on 13 October 1994[7], and was the first to fly the aircraft on a commercial trans-Pacific flight[8].

[edit] Boeing 777 and Airbus A340

Singapore Airlines became the world's largest operator of the Boeing 777 when it took delivery of its 58th aircraft, a Boeing 777-300ER, on 6 May 2005[9], and now has 69 in its fleet as of 31 October, 2007 ^[96]. The first 777s were ordered as a replacement for Singapore Airlines' Airbus A340-300 with Boeing taking the A340s as part of the deal, which was seen as a setback for Airbus, which had started delivery of the aircraft only a few years earlier. Two of the 17 A340-300s ordered never flew in revenue service for Singapore Airlines and were handed over to Boeing Aircraft Holding Company for resale within months of delivery to Singapore Airlines. The A340-300 had been a replacement for a cancelled McDonnell Douglas MD-11 order, which could not meet long range requirements as far as distance was concerned.^[97] Subsequently, Singapore Airlines has taken delivery of the Airbus A340-500, a long range version of the A340, bringing the A340 back into their fleet.

The airline's new Boeing 777-300ERs entered commercial service on 5 December 2006, on the Singapore-Paris route. This aircraft, of which Singapore Airlines ordered 19, introduced Singapore Airline's new First Class, Business Class, and Economy Class products.

[edit] Airbus A380

As a launch customer of the Airbus A380-800, it was the first airline to operate the aircraft when it entered service on 25 October 2007 after a series of delays.^[98][99] It has 19 A380s on order and six on option with plans to introduce the aircraft on the "Kangaroo Route" from Sydney to London, via Singapore.^[100] The first flight was a return trip from Singapore to Sydney, with a special flight designation of SQ380 to signify the first flight of the A380 [10]. To promote the aircraft and mark the moment in aviation history, SIA auctioned all the tickets in a special agreement with eBay, beginning on 27 August 2007 for two weeks, and donating all proceeds to charity. [11] The airline announced that it has raised nearly $1.3 million dollars for charity.^[101]

[edit] Fleet expansion

The airline is in the midst of its fleet renewal programme, with plans to retire all Boeing 747-412s by 2011. Their capacity are planned to be taken up by a mix of Airbus A380-841s (1 delivered, 18 on order) and Boeing 777-312ERs (10 delivered, 9 on order). Delays in the delivery schedule of the Airbus A380 forced the airline to lease 19 Airbus A330-300s to be delivered from 2009 as an interim measure to tide over its capacity shortage as part of its Boeing 747 fleet continues to retire from service. The airline also took the unprecedented step of leasing a Boeing 747 from Malaysia Airlines since 21 June 2007 on a short-term basis. The leased aircraft currently flies to Auckland, New Zealand.

The oldest Boeing 777s are slated for retirement progressively, to be replaced by the Airbus A350-900 XWB and Boeing 787-9, with the airline ordering 20 aircraft of each model. The airline has further options for another 13 Boeing 777-312ERs, 6 Airbus A380-841s, 20 Airbus A350-900 XWBs and 20 Boeing 787-9s.

The Singapore Airlines fleet current order book consists of the following aircraft:^[102]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Singapore Airlines company website

da:Singapore Airlines de:Singapore Airlines es:Singapore Airlines fr:Singapore Airlines ko:싱가포르 항공 id:Singapore Airlines it:Singapore Airlines he:סינגפור איירליינס ka:სინგაპურის ავიახაზები ms:Singapore Airlines nl:Singapore Airlines ja:シンガポール航空 no:Singapore Airlines nn:Singapore Airlines pl:Singapore Airlines pt:Singapore Airlines ru:Singapore Airlines sr:Сингапур ерлајнс fi:Singapore Airlines sv:Singapore Airlines th:สิงคโปร์แอร์ไลน์ vi:Singapore Airlines tr:Singapore Airlines zh-yue:新加坡航空 zh:新加坡航空