SQ to use A330's to BNE/PER/ADL

[oz_mark]

Singapore Airlines will introduce its new Airbus A330-300 regional aircraft on routes to Australian and Japanese cities, progressively from end March 2009.

The first of 19 new A330-300s will be delivered to Singapore Airlines by Airbus in mid-January. Initially, the aircraft will be used to complete pilot conversion, and thereafter, operate some short sectors between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore and Jakarta, during late February and March.

Its full entry into commercial service will occur on 30 March 2009, and to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the commencement of Singapore Airlines flights between the two cities, the first route will be between Singapore and Brisbane.

Singapore Airlines -- News Releases

 

[futaris]

Finally. The 777-200s on the BNE-SIN legs were getting a little old.

Shame the link to the new seat map isn't working yet.

 

[2muchplastic]

The continued use of the old 777-200s was one of the reasons that I tried to steer away from SQ (and CX) where I could. Given that two of the flight options from SIN-BNE are overnight flights, the old regional style J seat just doesn't cut it when compared to the QF Skyslopes, especially in 2-3-2 arrangement (and I have been stuck in that centre seat before!).

SQ haven't announced what the new Regional J class will look like, though the impression I get from the announcement is that it will not be a flat bed arrangement, but I am willing to be pleasantly surprised.

Shame the link to the new seat map isn't working yet.

Try this one here.

 

[Keith009]

I hear from a reliable source that the regional 773 aircraft which serves MEL (SQ238/237 MEL-SIN-MEL) amongst other longish 'regional' destinations will also be refurbished with new product in J and F.

 

[pauly7]

The continued use of the old 777-200s was one of the reasons that I tried to steer away from SQ (and CX) where I could. Given that two of the flight options from SIN-BNE are overnight flights, the old regional style J seat just doesn't cut it when compared to the QF Skyslopes, especially in 2-3-2 arrangement (and I have been stuck in that centre seat before!).

SQ haven't announced what the new Regional J class will look like, though the impression I get from the announcement is that it will not be a flat bed arrangement, but I am willing to be pleasantly surprised.



Try this one here.

I'm with you - I think the Asian carriers 'regional' fleets are an absolute crock and thus I avoid them also (although I'm fine with their proper long haul fleet, SIA at least).

QF009 - any timing on the rumoured re-jig? Long time coming...

 

[oz_mark]

Some info on the A330 cabin:

iPod, iPhone connectivity & ergonomic seats for economy class

 

[dajop]

I'm with you - I think the Asian carriers 'regional' fleets are an absolute crock...

THey're fine if used as intended, just for regional flights (which ex-SIN IMHO covers HKG, BKK, KUL, CGK, DPS, MNL, CAN, HAN, SGN etc, and probably even the eastern Indian cities). They are as good as/better than our domestic/trans tasman J products on QF/NZ (except for the adhoc use of long haul aircraft). Indeed are vastly superior to north American offerings on many similar length flights (MD80 for four hours anyone?). Getting to SIN on A380 and transferring to regional 772 for onward flight to BKK is pretty coughpy, but no different to arriving from LAX on the A380 and continuing to ADL on a 738 (or into LAX on A380 and onto DFW on a 757).

But they get used for longer flights such as MEL, BNE, KIX, ADL etc, and this is and absolute crock.

Same thing reflected out of HKG with CX, KUL with MH & BKK with TG, etc.

 

[2muchplastic]

Some info on the A330 cabin:

iPod, iPhone connectivity & ergonomic seats for economy class

That J seat looks pretty good. A very worthy rival for the Skyslopes at least. I've got a flight that I can go via SIN on 5/4, so I'm tempted to give it a go.

 

[Evan]

New C/J looks pretty good to me i guess we cant really tell till i have tried but unless there is saver awards then wont be that much chance of that happening, but if saver awards are available then i will be giving it a go rather soon i think.
E

 

[anat0l]

What's wrong with the 777s? They may be old, but given that there is a sizeable populace here that fly QF, there are quite a few of us who fly - and quite contently as it would seem - much older aircraft!

I know some family who would sooner fly SQ and MH for their "unrivalled service, reliable aircraft and schedules" compared to QF.

A330s aren't the talk of town, but since they are newly delivered aircraft it's gotta be good.

 

[NM]

What's wrong with the 777s?

There is nothing wrong with the 777 as an aircraft. Its just that in this example the operator's specific interior configuration is less desirable than other aircraft options in their fleet. The "regional" configurations, especially in the premium cabins, tend to be inferior in terms of seat quality and space, IFE etc.

Its a bit like people avoiding the QF 767 for international flights when there are QF A330 options that will get them to their selected destination.

 

[Evan]

What's wrong with the 777s? They may be old, but given that there is a sizeable populace here that fly QF, there are quite a few of us who fly - and quite contently as it would seem - much older aircraft!

I know some family who would sooner fly SQ and MH for their "unrivalled service, reliable aircraft and schedules" compared to QF.

A330s aren't the talk of town, but since they are newly delivered aircraft it's gotta be good.

Nothing wrong with the 777's but rather the really not very special 'regional' J seats in them ! i rate QF W as a better choice than some of the regional J products around.
Then again i had a friend who complained about some CX 777's age and i was thinking... hmmm half the age of a 747 you flew on a couple of days earlier that he loved. Age is not really relevant but i am not a fan of the North American fleets, some of them at really old regardless of the interior changes.
E

 

[dot]

For a better look at the new SQ Domestic J interior on their A330, have a look at PHOTOS: Singapore unveils new business class offering - Runway Girl - looks like vast improvement on their current regional product.

 

[soorox]

The A333 look great! but using an a333 means that the flight is being down graded. , but great to always see new products. I never thought that MEL was a regional flight. :mrgreen: hope MEL gets some a380's already!

 

[oz_mark]

The A333 look great! but using an a333 means that the flight is being down graded. , but great to always see new products. I never thought that MEL was a regional flight. :mrgreen: hope MEL gets some a380's already!

Given the 333 was the selected aircraft to replace the older 777's I hardly see it as a flight downgrade (unless of course you are arguing that the fleet is being downgraded!)

 

[clifford]

I guess SQ couldn't afford new 777's and went for a cheaper, flimsier aircraft.

I know which I would rather fly.

 

[NYCguy]

I guess SQ couldn't afford new 777's and went for a cheaper, flimsier aircraft.

I know which I would rather fly.

Oish...