Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines

IATA ICAO Call sign SQ SIA SINGAPORE
Founded	1947 (as Malayan Airways)
Hubs	Singapore Changi Airport
Frequent-flyer program	KrisFlyer PPS Club
Alliance	Star Alliance
Subsidiaries	SilkAir
Fleet size	109 (+60 orders) excl.cargo
Destinations	65
Parent company	Temasek Holdings (54.39%)
Headquarters	Singapore
Key people	Chew Choon Seng (CEO)
Website	http://www.singaporeair.com

The Singapore Airlines building

Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA) (Template:Lang-ms; Chinese: 新加坡航空公司; pinyin: Xīnjiāpō Hángkōng Gōngsī, abbreviated 新航; Template:Lang-ta) (SGX: C6L ) is the flag carrier 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 the world's two longest non-stop commercial flights from Singapore to Newark, New Jersey and Los Angeles, California on the Airbus A340-500.

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. It ranks amongst the top 15 carriers worldwide in terms of revenue passenger kilometres, is the 11th largest airline in Asia and ranked 6th in the world for international passengers carried.

Singapore Airlines was ranked 33rd in Fortune's World’s Most Admired Companies rankings in 2009 and has built up a strong brand name as a trendsetter in the aviation industry, particularly in terms of innovation, safety and service excellence, coupled with consistent profitability. It has won numerous awards and is an industry bellwether for aircraft purchases. Singapore Airlines is headquartered at Airline House, by Changi Airport in the Changi area of Singapore.

History

Origins

An Airspeed Consul (VR-SCD) — the first aircraft type operated by Malayan Airways, which was the forerunner of Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines began with the incorporation of Malayan Airlines (MAL) on 12 October 1937, 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. Regular weekly scheduled flights quickly followed from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang from 1 May 1947 with the same aircraft type. 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. 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

A Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-400, dubbed Megatop, at Auckland Airport, New Zealand. The Megatop was the flagship of the airline from 1989 until the introduction of the Airbus A380 in October 2007

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. 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:

May I emphasise that SIA as an organisation will continue to succeed only so long as the men and women behind it will not relax but continue to work diligently, plan boldly, and strive for excellence in performance.

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 about 18 hours each way. Singapore Airlines has converted its five Airbus A340-500 aircraft from a 64 Business Class/117 Premium Economy Class configuration to a 100-seat all- Business Class configuration for its routes to Newark and Los Angeles.

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. 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. 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.

A380

Singapore Airlines Airbus 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. 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. 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, 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:

Airbus took some time to acknowledge the delay in the timetable for the A380's entry into service...I would have expected more sincerity.

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.

On 25 October 2007, the first commercial A380 service, flight number SQ 380, 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. 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.

The A380 now operates daily flights to Sydney, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, Melbourne and double daily flights to London. In February, the A380 will start serving Zurich.

Fleet cuts

On 16 February 2009 the airline announced that it would cut 17 aircraft from its operating fleet between April 2009 and March 2010 as part of a cost-saving initiative to help counter falling passenger and cargo demand, having originally planned to phase out only four aircraft. The airline stated that it could not rule out delaying deliveries on aircraft already ordered.

Corporate management

The airline is a subsidiary of Singapore government investment and holding company Temasek Holdings which holds 54% of voting stock. The Singapore government, which holds a golden share via the Ministry of Finance, 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. However, he was personally involved in defusing tensions between the company and its pilots, warned the airline to cut costs, and made public his advice to the airline to divest from its subsidiary companies. Still, independent research typically rates the airline as practicing sound corporate governance policies in accordance with national regulations. 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.

Structure

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. 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. Although Singapore Airlines has evaluated the divestment opportunity, no tentative plan has been announced to date.

Major companies in Singapore Airlines Group include:

Company	Type	Principal activities	Incorporated in	Group's Equity Shareholding (31 March 2007)
International Engine Component Overhaul Private Limited	Joint venture	Aircraft overhaul	Singapore	41%
SIA Engineering Company Limited	Subsidiary	Engineering	Singapore	81.9%
SilkAir (Singapore) Private Limited	Subsidiary	Airline	Singapore	100%
Singapore Aero Engine Services Private Limited	Joint venture	Engine overhaul	Singapore	41%
Singapore Airlines Cargo Private Limited	Subsidiary	Cargo airline	Singapore	100%
Singapore Airport Terminal Services Limited	Subsidiary	Holding company	Singapore	81.9%
Singapore Flying College Private Limited	Subsidiary	Flight school	Singapore	100%
TajSATS Air Catering	Joint Venture	Catering	India	50%
Tiger Airways Private Limited	Associate	Low-Cost Airline	Singapore	49%
Virgin Atlantic Limited	Associate	Holding company	United Kingdom	49%

Operational investments

Boeing 747-412 taking off from London Heathrow Airport

The airline has invested 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, 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.

Boeing 747-400 lined up for take off at London Heathrow Airport, England

SIA bought a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic Airways on 30 March 2000 worth 600 million pounds in cash 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. On 14 May 2008, the company formally announced an invitation for offers for its Virgin Atlantic stake, and publicly acknowledged that its stake in the airline has "underperformed". In September 2004, the airline entered the low-cost carrier market by establishing 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%).

Labour

The Singapore Airlines Group employed a total of 29,457 staff members at the end of the fiscal year on 31 March 2007. The parent airline itself employed 13,942 (47.3%), of which there are 2,174 pilots and 6,914 cabin crew. The group's employees are represented by five labour unions, namely the Singapore Airlines Staff Union (SIASU), the SIA Engineering Company Engineers and Executives Union (SEEU), the Singapore Airport Terminal Services Workers' Union (SATSWU), the Air Transport Executives Staff Union (AESU) and the Air Line Pilots' Association Singapore (ALPA-S).

Relations between the labour unions and the group management has been testy at times, particularly after wage cuts, retrenchments, and early retirement affected staff morale during and after difficult economic conditions such as the SARS outbreak in 2003. The ALPA-S alone has been involved in no less than 24 disputes with group management since its registration in May 1981 (itself formed after its predecessor, the Singapore Airlines Pilots Association had 15 EXCO members charged and convicted for initiating illegal industrial action in 1980 in the wake of disputes with management and the SIAPA was deregistered on 26 February 1981) up to 30 November 2003, when the Ministry of Manpower (Singapore) amended the Trade Unions Act to overule an item in ALPA-S's constitution requiring formal ratification from the general membership for negotiation agreements involving the executive committee. In 2007, the airline was in the spotlight again when ALPA-S disagreed with the management's proposed salary rate for pilots flying the Airbus A380, and the case had to be settled by the Industrial Arbitration Court. The salary ranges of SIA's pilots were made public during the first day of the hearings, and the press noted that the airline's 935 captains who fly the Boeing 777 received higher salaries (over S$270,000) at the mid-point of their salary brackets compared to the company's 36 vice-presidents (S$233,270).

Disputes have also affected the unions, some so severe that they have attracted the intervention of the government. The internal feuding in ALPA-S which led to the ousting of the entire 22-member executive committee on 17 November 2003 was attributed to "internal politics" and theories that it may involve former pilots, including those involved in the deregistration of SIAPA. In January 2008, NTUC secretary-general Lim Swee Say spoke up against legal action by parties involved in an internal dispute in SIASU.

On 2 April 2007 the airline group and its unions jointly launched the "Singapore Airlines Group Union-Management Partnership" and the Labour Movement 2011 (LM2011) in a bid to improve their relations, each pledging to be "pro-worker" and "pro-business" respectively. In April 2008, the airline's chairman Stephen Lee described the relations between management and the unions as "stable and cordial" in the last two years, with better communication between them. He alluded that several government figures, including Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, has intervened to help alleviate differences, and that there has been more regular meetings and exchanges between the two sides.

Financial performance

Singapore Airlines Group Financial Highlights

Year ended	Revenue (S$m)	Expenditure (S$m)	Operating profit (S$m)	Profit before taxation (S$m)	Profit attributable to equity holders (S$m)	EPS after tax – diluted (cents)
31 March 1999	7,795.9	6,941.5	854.4	1,116.8	1,033.2	80.6
31 March 2000	9,018.8	7,850.0	1,168.8	1,463.9	1,163.8	91.4
31 March 2001	9,951.3	8,604.6	1,346.7	1,904.7	1,549.3	126.5
31 March 2002	9,382.8	8,458.2	924.6	925.6	631.7	51.9
31 March 2003	10,515.0	9,797.9	717.1	976.8	1,064.8	87.4
31 March 2004	9,761.9	9,081.5	680.4	820.9	849.3	69.7
31 March 2005	12,012.9	10,657.4	1,355.5	1,829.4	1,389.3	113.9
31 March 2006	13,341.1	12,127.8	1,213.3	1,662.1	1,240.7	101.3
31 March 2007	14,494.4	13,180.0	1,314.4	2,284.6	2,128.8	170.8
31 March 2008	15,972.5	13,848.0	2,124.5	2,547.2	2,049.4	166.1
31 March 2009	15,996.3	15,092.7	903.6	1,198.6	1,061.5	89.1

Operating performance

Singapore Airlines Operating Highlights (Parent Airline Company only)

Year ended	Passengers (thousand)	RPK (million)	ASK (million)	Load factor (%)	Yield (S¢/km)	Unit cost (cents/ASK)	Breakeven load factor (%)
31 March 1993	8,640	37,860.6	53,100.4	71.3	10.5	-	-
31 March 1994	9,468	42,328.3	59,283.3	71.4	10.1	-	-
31 March 1995	10,082	45,412.2	64,053.9	70.9	9.9	-	-
31 March 1996	11,057	50,045.4	68,555.3	73.0	9.4	-	-
31 March 1997	12,022	54,692.5	73,511.4	74.4	9.0	-	-
31 March 1998	11,957	54,441.2	77,221.6	70.5	9.5	-	-
31 March 1999	12,777	60,299.9	83,191.7	72.5	8.6	-	-
31 March 2000	13,782	65,718.4	87,728.3	74.9	9.1	-	-
31 March 2001	15,002	71,118.4	92,648.0	76.8	9.4	7.5	70.2
31 March 2002	14,765	69,994.5	94,558.5	74.0	9.0	6.4	71.1
31 March 2003	15,326	74,183.2	99,565.9	74.5	9.1	6.7	73.6
31 March 2004	13,278	64,685.2	88,252.7	73.3	9.2	6.7	72.8
31 March 2005	15,944	77,593.7	104,662.3	74.1	10.1	7.0	69.3
31 March 2006	16,995	82,741.7	109,483.7	75.6	10.6	7.5	70.8
31 March 2007	18,346	89,148.8	112,543.8	79.2	10.9	7.9	72.5
31 March 2008	19,120	91,485.2	113,919.1	80.3	12.1	8.4	69.4
31 March 2009	18,293	90,128.1	117,788.7	76.5	12.5	9.2	73.6

Branding

Stewardesses, known as the Singapore Girls, are heavily marketed as the airline's icon.

Main article: Singapore Girl

Branding and publicity efforts have revolved primarily around flight crew, 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, the uniform of the Singapore Girl has remained largely unchanged. Stewards previously wore light-blue business jackets and grey trousers. Since June 2008, this has been redesigned by Christophe Galibert, artistic Director of Balmain Uniformes. The new steward's uniform now features a single-breasted navy blue suit (jacket and trousers), a sky blue shirt and different coloured striped ties. The tie colours differentiates the four ranks of crew.

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.

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. 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.

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.

Services

Singapore Airlines have received numerous awards for the standard of service it provides. It claims to be "The World's Most Awarded Airline". In the 29th annual Zagat survey by US pollsters 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.

In-flight services

Cabins

Singapore Airlines announced major upgrade to its cabin and in-flight service on 17 October 2006, its first major overhaul in more than 8 years and costing the airline about S$570 million. 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.

Suite class

File:Singapore Airlines Suites.jpg

The Singapore Airlines Suites

The suite class or Singapore Airlines Suites, is Singapore Airlines' highest class of seats. Suite class is available only on the Airbus A380. The A380 flies to Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, Paris, Sydney and Tokyo.

The product is designed by French luxury yacht interior designer Jean-Jacques Coste and consists of separate compartments with walls and doors 1.5 m high. The leather seat, upholstered by Poltrona Frau of Italy, is Template:In to cm wide (with armrests up and Template:In to cm wide when armrests are down) and a Template:In to cm LCD TV screen is mounted on the front wall. The Template:In to cm 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 center can form a double bed after the privacy blinds between them are retracted into the ceiling.

First class

First Class on the B747

File:SQ First Class 777 seats.jpg

B777-300ER 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" and uses a different fare code (R) (see above).

Introduced on 17 October 2006, the "New" First Class is offered only on Singapore Airlines' new B777-300ER aircraft. Designed by James Park Associates, it features a Template:In to cm wide seat upholstered with leather and mahogany and a Template:In to cm LCD screen. The seats fold out into a flat bed and are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. The "New" First Class will be slowly introduced onto the B777-300 fleet as they under go cabin refit. The cabin will be slowly introduced across the B777-300 fleet from Singapore to Sydney on July 22 2009 and will be arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration.

First Class on Boeing 747-400 aircraft features the SkySuite, a seat that is Template:In to cm wide and can recline into a 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) bed. It features a Template:In to cm 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 Template:In to cm wide in a 2-2-2 configuration. The B777 - 300 aircraft are starting to under go cabin refits and this first class seat will be removed and replaced with the "New" First Class seat.

Business class

File:Singapore Airlines New C class.jpg

Business class on the A380

Singapore Airlines' Business Class used to be called Raffles Class until 2006. On A380, A340-500, and B777-300ER a fully-flat bed is available in a 1-2-1 configuration with forward-facing seats (sleep mode in diagonal), 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 34 in (86 cm) wide. The leather seats feature a 15.4 in (39.1 cm) diagonal screen size personal television, in-seat power supply and 2 USB ports.

A New Regional Business Class, is being rolled out on the 19 A330-300 that Singapore Airlines is using to service Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Nagoya and other medium haul and regional routes. The A330-300 will be configured in 2-2-2 layout and will include iPod connection. The Business Class seat will be lie-flat at an 8-degree incline. The Business Class will feature the new Krisworld on a 15.4 inch screen. Singapore Airlines are starting a cabin refit program for the B777 models which will feature the seat also, the B777 - 300 fleet is the first to under go refit and will be rolled out across the majority of the fleet, with the first destination being Sydney the refitted aircraft will fly to from July 22 2009. The seats on the B777 - 300 will also be configured in 2-2-2 layout.

SpaceBed seats are available on the B777-200ER in a 2-2-2 configuration and on the B747-400 aircraft in a 2-3-2 configuration. The SpaceBed seats are 27 in (69 cm) wide and 72 in (183 cm) long and convert to an angled flat bed. They have a retractable10.4 in (26.4 cm) personal television.

Traditional Ultimo business class seats, which do not convert into beds, are offered on all B777 aircraft (excluding B777-200ER and B777-300ER) in a 2-3-2 configuration.

Economy class

Economy class on the first Singapore Airlines Airbus A380.

All economy class seats in the Boeing 747 and Boeing 777s (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.

The new Economy class seats on the Boeing 777-300ER, Airbus A380, and Airbus A330-300 are Template:In to cm wide, have in-seat power and have a 10.6in personal television screen which can be used as a non-intrusive reading light. They are also being rolled out in 19 new Airbus A330-300 planes that Singapore Airlines is using to service Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Nagoya, Osaka and other medium haul and regional routes. The A330-300 will be configured in 2-4-2 layout and will include iPod connection. Other features include an independent cup holder (separate from the fold-out table) and a USB port. Singapore Airlines will start to introduce a similar design on board the B777 aircraft when they go through their cabin refits. The B777-300 is the first model to under go refit and will introduce the product on the Singapore - Sydney route first from July 22 2009.

Cuisine

A meal in Economy class, on a flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo.

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.

In-flight entertainment system and communication

File:NewKrisWorldlogo.jpg

KrisWorld logo

File:Krisworld Screen.png

The new KrisWorld

Singapore Airline's in-flight entertainment system, KrisWorld, was introduced in 1997. B747-400 and B777-200ER use the Wiseman 3000 system which offers 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. The service ended in December 2006 when Connexion was ceased by Boeing.

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

SIA announced that Panasonic Avionics Corporation has been selected to create the new KrisWorld, using their new eX2 system. The new KrisWorld is available on A380, A330-300, A340-500 (equipped with Business Class only) and B777-300ER.

• 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 (for first and business class passengers). Self-service kiosks are also available at Singapore Changi Airport. First class passengers also get a dedicated lane at Changi Airport where staff will personally welcome and escort them.

Alternatively, they may check-in 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:

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

Frequent-flyer program

The Singapore Airlines frequent flyer program, has two 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, Delta Airlines, and numerous hotel chains and car-hire companies. KrisFlyer is divided into KrisFlyer, KrisFlyer Elite Silver and KrisFlyer Elite Gold, which correspond to Star Alliance Silver and Gold, respectively. Elite Silver and Elite Gold status is given to passengers who have accrued 25,000 and 50,000 miles (80,000 km), 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 (40,000 km) 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.

The PPS Club

Priority Passenger Service (PPS) is for passengers who have accumulated S$25,000 worth of PPS Value within a year. 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.

A member with PPS Club status will qualify for Solitaire PPS Club by accumulating PPS Value of S$250,000 within five years. The Solitaire Life PPS Club status was formerly given to members who accrued a total of 1,875,000 miles (3,018,000 km) 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.

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

Main article: Singapore Airlines destinations

Singapore Airlines flies to 65 destinations in 35 countries on five continents.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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, although there has been no official word that Singapore Airlines has objected to the entry of AirAsia. Singapore Airlines has, instead, welcomed the liberation of the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route which it dominated together with Malaysia Airlines for over three decades, accounting for about 85% of the over 200 flight frequencies then operated. A highly lucrative route for LCCs due to its short distance and heavy traffic as the fourth-busiest in Asia, it was eventually opened to partial liberalisation from 1 February 2008 with 2 additional flights a day awarded to LCCs operating from either country, 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. 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. Malaysia Airlines, the main opponent to liberalisation of the route and deemed to be the party which stands to lose the most, will continue to codeshare with both Singapore Airlines and SilkAir on the route.

Codeshare agreements

Boeing 747-400 at Singapore Changi Airport in Star Alliance livery while still maintaining its corporate logo on the tail, the only Star Alliance member to do so.

In addition to Star Alliance member airlines, Singapore Airlines codeshares with the following airlines:

• Air Canada
• Air India
• Air New Zealand
• All Nippon Airways
• Asiana Airlines
• EgyptAir
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Malaysia Airlines
• SilkAir
• South African Airways
• Swiss International Airlines
• Turkish Airlines
• US Airways
• Virgin Atlantic Airways
• Saudi Arabian Airlines

Fleet

Main article: Singapore Airlines fleet

Boeing 777-300ER (9V-SWA), the first of the -300ER variant to be delivered on 23 November 2006, completing its first flight to Zürich Airport. SIA is the world's second largest operator of the Boeing 777 family with 77 in its fleet and 13 on option.

Boeing 777-300ER (9V-SWD) at Moscow Domodedovo International Airport.

Subtle livery changes were made in 2007, specifically to accommodate the arrival of the A380. These included a larger company name and a larger Singaporean flag on the fuselage and a larger tailfin logo as seen on the 747 on the left.

Singapore Airlines operates a wide-body aircraft fleet from five aircraft families: the Airbus A330, Airbus A340, Airbus A380 and Boeing 747, Boeing 777. In keeping with its policy of maintaining a young fleet, which stands at an average of 6 years 5 months as at 31 March 2008, it renews its fleet frequently.

The airline names its fleet according to plane makes. The Boeing 747-400s were called "Megatop", the Boeing 777s were called "Jubilee" and the Airbus A340-500s were named "Leadership". Names for airliners previously flown by the airline include: "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. Several of these names were pulled officially from the mid-2000s under the current CEO Chew Choon Seng. No official name has since been accorded to the newer A380s which joined the fleet in 2007.

Singapore Airlines has never painted an aircraft without its tail livery. Even special liveries such as the Tropical Megatop and the Star Alliance livery still retain the signature stylised bird on their vertical stabilizers.

The Singapore Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:

Singapore Airlines Fleet

Aircraft	Total	Orders	Options	Passengers (First/Business/Economy)	Routes
Airbus A330-300	8	11	0	285 (0/30/255)	Asia, Oceania
Airbus A340-500	5	0	0	100 (0/100/0)	North America
Airbus A350-900	0	20	20	TBA	TBA
Airbus A380-800	10	9	6	471 (12/60/399)	Asia, Europe, Oceania
Boeing 747-400	9	0	0	375 (12/50/313)	Asia, Europe, North America
Boeing 777-200	31	0	0	323 (0/30/293) 288 (12/42/234)	Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania with derated engines
Boeing 777-200ER	15	0	0	285 (0/30/255)	Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania
Boeing 777-300	12	0	0	284 (8/50/226) 332 (18/49/265)	Asia, Oceania
Boeing 777-300ER	19	0	13	278 (8/42/228)	Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania
Boeing 787-9	0	20	20	TBA	TBA
Total	109	60	59

Incidents and accidents

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

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

• 31 October 2000 — 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 after the plane took off on a closed runway and hit construction equipment. This occurred during the heavy rain caused by Typhoon Xangsane. SQ006 was the first fatal crash of a Singapore Airlines aircraft and the first fatal crash of the Boeing 747-400.

External links

• Official website