Singapore Airlines Debuts A380 First Class 'Suites'

Singapore Airlines last week took delivery of the first Airbus 380 superjumbo jet and plans to show customers a new tier in first class when it launches scheduled service between Singapore and Sydney later this week. Featured on the aircraft are 12 "Singapore Airlines Suites," which represent a new booking class on the carrier and offers private cabins for passengers willing to muster a 20 percent to 25 percent premium on Singapore's standard first class tickets.

Singapore Airlines said the new private suites are a step above its standard first class offering. A Singapore Airlines spokesperson said the new suites are "to first class what premium economy is to standard coach."

Behind the sliding door of each suite lies its centerpiece: a 27-inch by 78-inch stand-alone flat bed, separate from the seat, which measures 81 inches in pitch, 23 inches between armrests and allows for a recline of up to 130 degrees.

"Developed with our most valued and distinguished customers in mind, the concept of the Singapore Airlines Suites is nothing less than ground-breaking in the luxury travel market," according to Yap Kim Wah, Singapore Airlines senior vice president of product and services. "Singapore Airlines Suites customers can look forward to a flight with an unprecedented level of personal space, in their very own private cabin in the sky. The exquisite new product offerings, together with the special service from our world-renowned cabin crew, will delight the most discerning of our customers."

The suites also include a "chaise lounge for companion seating," an adjustable table and UBS ports to access computer programs through the carrier's upgraded KrisWorld entertainment system. The new KrisWorld—the focal point of which is a 23-inch television screen—offers 100 movies, more than 180 television programs and 700 CDs, as well as games and other entertainment options. Each system in the suits cabin also comes equipped with Bose headsets.

The new suites comprise less than 3 percent of the carrier's 471-seat inventory on the A380, which includes 60 seats in business class and 399 economy seats.

Singapore last week became the first airline to take delivery of the new double-decker superjumbo—the largest passenger plane ever built—and has placed firm orders for a total of 19 A380s. The carrier also plans to launch service with the same class configuration on the aircraft early next year between Singapore and London Heathrow.

Airbus last week said that 16 of its customers have ordered or committed to a total of 189 A380s, noting that further deliveries to Singapore, Emirates and Qantas are on track—following nearly two years of delays. Airbus last week said it expects more than 70 airports to be configured to accept the A380 by 2011.

Meanwhile, Boeing this month said it is pushing back the initial delivery of its rival 787 Dreamliner to as late as December next year from the initial scheduled delivery in May 2008, due to "continued challenges completing assembly of the first airplanes."

All Nippon Airways still is expected to be the first recipient of the aircraft, and is among nearly 50 carriers that have placed orders for more than 700 of the 787s.

"The company also stated that 30 to 35 aircraft deliveries will be moved from 2008 into 2009, but Boeing still expects to deliver 109 Dreamliners cumulatively from the launch through 2009, which is only three units fewer than the company's original guidance of 112," according to Calyon Securities aerospace analyst Christine Min.

According to Boeing chairman, president and CEO Jim McNerney, "Notwithstanding the challenges that we are experiencing in bringing forward this game-changing product, we remain confident in the design of the 787, and in the fundamental innovation and technologies that underpin it."