Singapore Airlines is The Title Sponsor of 2014 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix

Singapore Airlines has announced today that it has signed an agreement with the Formula One Group to be the Title Sponsor of the FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX. According to the press release by Singapore Airlines, 2014's Singapore F1 event will be named the 2014 FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX and will take place from 19 to 21 September at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

“We are thrilled to be taking up the title sponsorship of one of the most exciting races on the F1 calendar, and we are especially pleased to be doing so in the lead-up to Singapore’s 50th birthday next year,” said Singapore Airlines CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong.

“Singapore Airlines has always supported the development of both sports and tourism. Through our involvement with the world’s first F1 night race we will be able to enhance both for the benefit of Singaporeans and visitors alike.”

The Singapore Grand Prix is a motor race on the calendar of the FIA Formula One World Championship. The event takes place in Singapore on the Marina Bay Street Circuit and was the inaugural F1 night race and the first street circuit in Asia. Spaniard Fernando Alonso won the first edition of the grand prix, driving for the Renault F1 team. The Singapore Grand Prix will remain on the F1 calendar through at least 2017, after race organizers signed a contract extension with Formula One Management on the eve of the 2012 event.

Singapore Airlines has yesterday released a video in Singapore Airlines YouTube Channel showing a Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 and a Formula 1 race car together in apron. In the video named "The Big Reveal", the Formula 1 car was carrying the colors and logo of Singapore Airlines while the large Airbus A380 was carrying 2014 FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX on its body.

You can see the Singapore Airlines Formula 1 announcement video piece, The Big Reveal, below.


Formula One Group CEO Mr Bernie Ecclestone added: “We are very happy to have Singapore Airlines join the Formula One family by becoming the Title Sponsor of the extremely popular FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX, which was the first Formula 1® night race, and demonstrates Singapore’s forward thinking, an attribute Singapore Airlines has always achieved.”

Said Mr Ong Beng Seng of Singapore GP Pte Ltd: “We are delighted to welcome Singapore Airlines as Title Sponsor for the FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX. Given the iconic brand’s phenomenal global reach, this synergistic partnership will provide the widest exposure and fantastic opportunities in the promotion of both Singapore and Formula 1® around the world.”

Singapore Airlines Deal : Return flight from Singapore to Maldives 44% OFF

Flying to Maldives may be expensive but this cheap flight deal from Singapore to Maldives will give a chance to many to visit this paradise destination and have a once in a life time experience. The flight deal includes 2-way flights on Singapore Airlines (Singapore - Maldives - Singapore) with 30 kg check-in baggage and 7 kg hand-carry baggage allowance.

The return tickets via Singapore Airlines is only $328 per person instead of $589 (Min 2 people need to travel together to enjoy this Maldives flight deal). Redemption period is between 09 April 2014 to 15 April 2014 and travel period is between 9 April 2014 to 31 July 2014. The deal will last until it is sold-out. For more terms and conditions as well as information, refer to deals web site : Maldives: Return Air Ticket via Singapore Airlines.

If you want to check-out more travel deals, take a look at Singapore Travel Deals page. For more flight deals, you can also look at our Singapore Flight Deals thread.

This Singapore Airlines flight deal will take you from Singapore to Maldives for only
$328 instead of  $589.

Maldives is formed by a double chain of 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean, about 400 kilometres
south-west of India.

One of the best diving sites in the world, Maldives is blessed with turquoise blue waters
and rich coral reefs. With bright blue skies and all-year sunshine, the island of Maldives enjoys a tropical weather of 24-33 degrees Celsius.

Singapore Airlines Deal : Return flight from Singapore to Hong Kong 62% OFF

Would you like to enjoy bustling Hong Kong at your leisure? Then you can definitely take advantage of this chance to fly on the cheap to and from Hong Kong with Singapore Airlines today. This 2-way Singapore Airlines economy ticket promotion (Singapore - Hong Kong - Singapore) is only $228(*) per person (usual price is $598) with 30 kg check-in baggage and 7 kg hand carry baggage allowance. Secure your trip to Hong Kong with this cost effective option and you also get a nice amount of room for luggage as well as a tasty meal for your flight, so hesitate no longer and fly without blowing a hole in your holiday budget.

The deal is available until it is sold out and is for travel period between  09 April 2014 and 15 April 2014. Here are the flight schedules (subject to change and availability):
Singapore Airlines flights from Singapore to Hong Kong
SIN HKG SQ856 0930 1330
SIN HKG SQ868 1955 2340
Singapore Airlines flights from Hong Kong to Singapore
HKG SIN SQ861 1520 1910

(*) - Minimum 2 people are required to travel together and the package excludes personal travel insurance, visa (if required), airport taxes and charges and any surcharges. For more information plus Terms and Conditions, visit this Singapore Airlines flight deals page.

For more Singapore Airlines deals check our Singapore Airlines promotions pages. For more flight deals you can visit our Flight deals pages.

Only $228 for Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore to Hong Kong

Did Malaysia Airlines MH370 disappear using SIA68 (another 777)?

Since it became almost obvious that missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) MH370 was delibrately flown from South China Sea to Andaman and then flew almost 6 plus hours to either Central Asia or Southern Indian Ocean, people are trying to figure-out how a wide-body aircraft like Boeing 777 can fly without being detected. Since this is highly unlikely, many experts believe that the MAS Boeing 777 probably flew to South than North. Since none of the 25 countries looking at their radar records could locate an unidentified plane, it would have flown to the south. Or maybe very low?

An interesting theory which is going viral involves another Boeing 777 belonging to Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines Flight 68, SIA68 namely.

 Keith Ledgerwood, has plotted the route taken by the missing MAS plane and then looked for another plane which was there around that time and found out that SIA68 was passing through there and flying to Europe to its final destination of Barcelona, Spain. Indeed, the unusual Singapore Airlines service flies from Singapore to Barcelona and from there to Sao Paolo.

Basically, Keith Ledgerwood calculated that MAS plane was at 1815UTC when military radar lost contact. At the exact time, SQ68 was also there:

It is my belief that MH370 likely flew in the shadow of SIA68 through India and Afghanistan airspace.  As MH370 was flying “dark” without transponder / ADS-B output, SIA68 would have had no knowledge that MH370 was anywhere around and as it entered Indian airspace, it would have shown up as one single blip on the radar with only the transponder information of SIA68 lighting up ATC and military radar screens.

Wouldn’t the SIA68 flight have detected MH370? NO!  The Boeing 777 utilizes a TCAS (Traffic collision avoidance system) system for traffic avoidance; the system would ordinarily provide alerts and visualization to pilots if another airplane was too close.  However that system only operates by receiving the transponder information from other planes and displaying it for the pilot.  If MH370 was flying without the transponder, it would have been invisible to SIA68.
Source : Did Malaysian Airlines 370 disappear using SIA68 (another 777)?

Although another commercial plane would not see MH370 on TCAS system, MH370 could easily see all commercial airlines nearby! MH370 would see the direction, speed and altitude of other airliners (see below)!

TCAS (Traffic collision avoidance system) screen on Boeing 777 cockpit.
Courtesy of AirTeamImages.com

Keith Ledgerwood theorizes that if MH370 indeed followed SQ68, it would have been free to break off from the shadow of SIA68 somewhere in Cental Asia and then land in Xingjian province of China, Kyrgyzstan, or Turkmenistan.

Last known position of MH370 on Malaysia military radar and the position of SIA 68.
Courtesy of Keith Ledgerwood

Agoda Singapore Airlines partners to offer customers great hotel deals and frequent flyer miles

Now you can earn Singaporeairlines KrisFlyer Miles for every Dollar you spend on hotel booking thanks to a special partnership between Agoda.com and Singapore Airlines. If you book your hotels worldwide through agoda.com/singaporeair, you can earn 1.5 KrisFlyer Miles for every 1 USD you spend on hotel booking.

Agoda.com and SIA were already offering promotions for only members of KrisFlyer, Singapore Airlines’ frequent flyer program. This enhanced partnership now allows all Singapore Airlines customers to enjoy access to Agoda.com’s global inventory of hotels. KrisFlyer members will additionally benefit from this partnership by earning KrisFlyer miles with every hotel booking.

And, as a special promotion, during the month of February, KrisFlyer members will earn double miles on every hotel booking made through the designated booking page.

Commenting on the deal, Agoda.com’s Director – Commercial Ernst Hemmer said: “We are very excited to bring Agoda.com’s extensive global hotel portfolio to customers of Singapore Airlines, without doubt one of the world’s most recognized brands and one of the leaders in the global airline industry. Our intent is to make it both easy and worthwhile for Singapore Airlines customers to earn miles at the same time they book hotels.”

Agoda Singapore Airlines partnership allows KrisFlyer members to earn Miles on hotel booking.

Sexy Singapore Airlines Stewardess posts photos online of herself in underwear

A Singapore Airlines (SIA) stewardess has posted photos online (Instagram) in which she could be seen in underwear. The photos were brought to light by StomPer Tan asking "Is this the criteria to join Singapore Airlines as a flight stewardess? To tag yourself as #asiangirlsrocks?"

The photograph shows a young Asian woman in a hotel room (Moevenpick Hotel Deira in Dubai according to the Instagram title) with black underwear.  The woman takes photo of her own reflection from hotel's mirror. In another photo the same woman can be seen in Singapore Girl Sarong Kebaya in a hotel room. The underwear photo is tagged as #asiangirlsrocks.

What the StomPer does not realize is that these photos are private photos and related to this young lady's personal life. It has nothing to do with her work or the image she carries as a SIA stewardess. What the StomPer does is wrong, bringing forward some private photos and relating them to girl's job.

Several comments in the post were related to this. "It doesn have anything to do with SIA! Work and personal life is a seperate thing!" wrote someone in a comment. "What she doing now is not related to her job, stomper pls mind your own business" wrote another. One joked "Nice curves on this girl. No complains here. ...Stomper go get a life!."

Photo - Stomp

You may also find our Singapore nude photo leaks and scandals post interesting.

Singapore Airlines SQ317 makes emergency landing in Baku

SQ317, a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight between Singapore and London, have made an emergency landing in Azerbaijan due to faulty cabin pressure of the Airbus 380 (A380). The cabin of the Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 was depressurised and the aircraft landed safely in the Baku at about 1:03am local time (5 am Singapore time).

No casualties were reported among the 467 passengers and 27 crew members onboard. There was a photo of the cabin of Airbus A380 where oxygen masked are seen deployed.

Here is the announcement in Singapore Airlines Facebook page :

"Flight SQ317, an Airbus A380 operating from London to Singapore, diverted to Baku in Azerbaijan on 6 January 2014 as a result of a cabin depressurisation. Oxygen masks were deployed and the aircraft landed uneventfully at Baku airport at 01:03 (local time). There were no injuries to the 467 passengers and 27 crew on board.

We are seeking clearance from local authorities to transfer affected customers to a hotel until a replacement aircraft arrives from Singapore.

Customers may wish to contact our Reservation and Ticketing Office in Singapore at +65 6223 8888 for assistance."

Photo : Coconuts Singapore

Passanger Matthew G. Johnson shortly after take-off from Heathrow Airport there was a loud air noise from the door five rows in front. According to his Facebook post he questioned the crew who allegedly told him about two hours later than the door had a "mild" leaking seal. Another few hours went by before this led to cabin depressurisation and forced the emergency landing.[1]

Matthew G. Johnson shared this photo of a cabin door of
Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 (SQ317).
Photo from Courtesy of Matthew G. Johnson Facebook

[1] - SQ Flight 317 from London makes emergency landing in Azerbaijan

Changi Transit Programme Benefits For Singapore Airlines And SilkAir Customers

From now until 30 June 2013, eligible customers of  Singapore Airlines and SilkAir transiting in Singapore Changi Airport will receive $40 worth of Changi Dollar Vouchers (CDVs) per ticket – double the amount since the Changi Transit Programme began on 1 October 2012. To qualify for the CDVs, customers must travel on Singapore Airlines or SilkAir on both their inbound and outbound flights, with a 13-digit e-ticket receipt number beginning with 618 or 629.

The CDVs are valid for one-time use at more than 450 retail, food and service outlets in the transit and public areas of Terminals 1, 2 and 3, excluding outlets in the Arrival Baggage Claim Halls. They can also be redeemed for one-time access to the Ambassador Transit Lounge at Terminals 2 and 3 for up to six hours. Services at the lounge include showers, light refreshments, free flow of non-alcoholic beverages, and a wide range of reading materials. Travellers can also look forward to amenities such as airport-wide complimentary WiFi, movie theatres and themed gardens while transiting at Changi Airport, where a convenient Skytrain transport system in both the transit and public areas provides easy access to all three terminals.

Mr Peh Ke-Wei, CAG’s Vice President for Passenger Development, said, “Due to overwhelming demand from travellers for the original Changi Transit Programme, we decided to improve the benefits to entice more passengers to fly through Changi for their upcoming trips. Coupled with Changi Airport’s renowned transit experience and Singapore Airlines’ and SilkAir’s extensive flight network, the enhanced programme will make transiting at Changi even more compelling. CAG will continue to introduce new promotions to cater to the ever-changing needs of travellers.”

Mr Sheldon Hee, Singapore Airlines’ Senior Manager Marketing Communications and Development, said, “With the launch of the enhanced Changi Transit Programme, our transit customers will be able to experience more of what Changi Airport has to offer. In addition, by presenting their CDVs in conjunction with their Singapore Airlines or SilkAir boarding pass at participating stores, they will be able to enjoy even more privileges and discounts under the Boarding Pass Privileges Programme.”

To collect their CDVs, eligible customers should present both their electronic ticket and boarding pass of their Singapore-bound flight at any of the seven Information Counters in the transit areas of Terminals 2 and 3. The CDVs are issued while stocks last and will expire on 31 March 2014.

The Singapore Girl

Singapore Girl is one of the first you know about Singapore before even stepping a foot in Singapore. This consistent visual advertising slogan, which was created in 1972 when Singapore Airlines was formed is applied to depictions of stewardesses of Singapore Airlines (SIA). Dressed in the distinctive "Sarong Kebaya" SIA uniform in batik material designed by Parisian couturier Pierre Balmain, The Singapore Girl is said to engender "Asian values and hospitality" and has been described as "caring, warm, gentle, elegant and serene". Well most stewardesses really become living versions of  Singapore Girl through weeks of training. Many times so caring, warm and gentle: I heard from someone that he had to hold himself from asking one of these girls "please sit down I serve that tea for you" in her first flight with SIA :)

The Singapore Girl is a global marketing icon, one of the airline industry’s most instantly-recognised figures. This recognition factor gives the Airline a great advantage over its competitors. In 1993, a waxwork of the  Singapore Girl was unveiled at Madame Tussaud's, the world-famous waxwork museum in London. It was the first commercial figure to be displayed at the museum.   Madame Tussaud's said the figure was chosen
"to reflect the ever-growing popularity of international travel" and in recognition of the 21st birthday of both Singapore Airlines and the Singapore Girl.

On joining Singapore Airlines, Singapore Girls undergo 15 weeks of training, followed by a series of refresher and product-specific courses throughout their careers. Singapore Airlines cabin crew are well versed in  all aspects of passenger management and service, as well as the special needs of the young, the aged and those with disabilities. They are also proficient in safety evacuation procedures.

The Singapore Girl

Not all Singapore girls are Singaporeans. More than  80% of all Singapore Girls are either Singaporean or Malaysian.  The rest are from countries including China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.


The Sarong Kebaya
Exquisitely designed by Parisian couturier Pierre Balmain, the signature uniform in batik material reflects the Airline’s Asian heritage and is the most distinctive feature of The Singapore Girl. Today, the design first introduced in 1968, is universally recognized as the Singapore Girl’s very own.

Did you know that The Singapore Girl’s sarong kebaya comes in four colours, each representing a different rank?

The Sarong Kebaya colors

Singapore Airlines And Virgin America codeshare agreement

From 19 December 2012, Singapore Airlines customers will be able to enjoy seamless travel to more cities in the United States through a codeshare agreement with Virgin America.

“We are pleased to announce this partnership with Virgin America which extends our network even further within the United States. The United States is an important market for Singapore Airlines and through this partnership we can offer our customers more travel options to more destinations,” said Singapore Airlines Acting Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mr Chin Yau Seng.

“This agreement enables us to offer guests a seamless, award-winning travel experience across continents and significantly expand connection options in North America for Singapore’s savvy travellers,” said Virgin America Senior Vice President for Planning and Sales, Mr John MacLeod. “The partnership with one of the world’s leading airlines is a testament to the quality of our product, and we’re happy to welcome aboard Singapore guests in time for the holiday travel season.”

A codeshare agreement, sometimes simply codeshare, is an aviation business arrangement where two or more airlines share the same flight. A seat can be purchased on one airline but is actually operated by a cooperating airline under a different flight number or code.

Tickets for the codeshare flights are now open for sale, for travel from 19 December 2012. Singapore Airlines operates 45 flights per week from Singapore to United States. The airlines fly to five cities in USA: Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, New York and San Francisco.

Agoda.com and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer partner to offer KrisFlyer miles

Agoda.com, Asia's leading and fastest growing online hotel reservation service, announced its partnership with Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer to bring even greater rewards to its frequent flyer members when they book hotels with Agoda.com.

Singapore Airlines is the flag carrier airline of Singapore which flies to 62 destinations in 35 countries on six continents from its primary hub in Singapore Changi Airport. The airline 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.

KrisFlyer is Singapore Airline's airline loyalty program which can earn KrisFlyer miles for its members when they fly on Singapore Airlines, SilkAir or any of our airline partners, which include airlines in the Star Alliance network. From 1st December 2012, Singapore Airlines PPS Club and KrisFlyer members will earn 1.5 KrisFlyer miles for every US$1 spent on their hotel booking through www.agoda.com/krisflyer.

The offer is open to PPS Club and KrisFlyer members worldwide, and applies to all of Agoda.com’s hotels around the globe. In addition to earning KrisFlyer miles, members can also earn Agoda rewards points on each hotel booking, which can be used as discounts toward future bookings.

Agoda.com and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer partnership allows KrisFlyer and PP Club members
to earn 1.5 KrisFlyer Miles for every 1 USD spent on hotel bookings with Agoda.

“Without doubt KrisFlyer is one of the most desirable frequent flyer programs in the world to partner with,” says Ernst Hemmer, Agoda.com’s Director – Commercial. “With this new partnership, Agoda.com introduces PPS Club and KrisFlyer members to an easy way of booking any hotel of their choice worldwide while still earning KrisFlyer miles.”

Visit KrisFlyer Hotel Offers for more details.

Singapore Airlines ranks 10th in flight arrival ranking

In November 2012, almost 8 in 10 or 82.72% of Singapore Airlines flights approached to the gate on time. This has put the airline at 10th spot in Asian Airlines November 2012 Arrival Performance Report by FlightStats. The average on-time performance rating among the 38 Asian airlines FlightStats analyzed in November was 75.48%, down 2.57 percentage points from October's 78.05%.

The FlightStats report summarizes the data by carrier and includes a breakdown of on-time, late, very late and excessively late arrivals. Also included is the average delay for flights arriving more than 15 minutes late, the percentage of flights cancelled and diverted.

Here are the top ten on-time arrival performers among Asian carriers:

1. 3X Japan Air Commuter - 91.91%
2. XM1 J-Air - 91.60%
3. HD Hokkaido International Airlines - 90.91%
4. JL Japan Airlines - 90.87%
5. EH ANA Wings - 90.64%
6. JC JAL Express - 90.46%
7. 6E IndiGo Airlines - 90.42%
8. NH ANA - All Nippon Airways - 89.21%
9. NU Japan Transocean Air - 84.55%
10. SQ Singapore Airlines - 82.72% 

Singapore Airlines And Aegean Airlines will start code-sharing by December 2012

Singapore Airlines (SIA) passengers will be able to Greek cities of Athens and Thessaloniki through a code-share agreement with Star Alliance partner Aegean Airlines, starting from December 1st 2012. Under the code-sharing agreement, SIA will add its ‘SQ’ code to Aegean-operated flights serving the Greek capital Athens from Frankfurt, London, Milan and Munich, as well as to flights serving Greece’s second-largest city Thessaloniki from Frankfurt and Munich.

On a reciprocal basis, Aegean will add its ‘A3’ code to SIA-operated flights serving Singapore from Frankfurt, Milan and Munich, and flights beyond Singapore to Melbourne and Sydney. Aegean’s codeshare on SIA-operated flights will commence once regulatory approvals have been obtained.

“This new codeshare arrangement with our Star Alliance partner Aegean Airlines will provide our customers convenient connections to Greece and broaden our network for both business and leisure travellers,” said Singapore Airlines Acting Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mr Chin Yau Seng. 

Aegean Airlines’ Planning & Alliances Director, Mr Tassos Raftopoulos, added: “Aegean Airlines are delighted to team up with Singapore Airlines whose high quality product and service ethics closely match our own customer proposition, with an expansion that aligns very well to the further growth of our Star Alliance partnerships. Thanks to this new partnership we can now offer Greek passengers a great travel solution to Singapore and via Singapore to all countries in Southeast Asia and Australia. Connecting flights via Singapore, a major hub in Southeast Asia, will facilitate incoming tourism from these important markets.” Source : Singapore Airlines And Aegean Airlines Sign Codeshare Agreement

Tickets for the codeshare flights are now open for sale, for travel from 1 December 2012. Details of the codeshare services are shown below. Customers are advised to check singaporeair.com for updates to flight schedules.

Singapore Airlines codeshare on flights operated by Aegean Airlines:
Between Frankfurt (FRA) and Athens (ATH)
Operating Flight	Codeshare Flight	Sector	Days of Operation
A3 830	SQ 2860	ATH-FRA	Daily
Between London (LHR) and Athens (ATH)
Operating Flight	Codeshare Flight	Sector	Days of Operation
A3 602	SQ 2862	ATH-LHR	Mon/Tues/Thur/Sat/Sun
A3 603	SQ 2863	LHR-ATH	Mon/Tues/Thur/Sat/Sun
Between Milan (MXP) and Athens (ATH)
Operating Flight	Codeshare Flight	Sector	Days of Operation
A3 660	SQ 2856	ATH-MXP	Mon/Tues/Wed/Thur/Sat
A3 661	SQ 2857	MXP-ATH	Mon/Tues/Wed/Thur/Sat
A3 665	SQ 2865	MXP-ATH	Thur/Fri/Sun
Between Munich (MUC) and Athens (ATH)
Operating Flight	Codeshare Flight	Sector	Days of Operation
A3 802	SQ 2858	ATH-MUC	Daily
A3 803	SQ 2859	MUC-ATH	Daily
Between Frankfurt (FRA) and Thessaloniki (SKG)
Operating Flight	Codeshare Flight	Sector	Days of Operation
A3 530	SQ 2852	SKG-FRA	Daily
A3 531	SQ 2853	FRA-SKG	Daily
Between Munich (MUC) and Thessaloniki (SKG)
Operating Flight	Codeshare Flight	Sector	Days of Operation
A3 500	SQ 2850	SKG-MUC	Daily
A3 501	SQ 2851	MUC-SKG	Daily
Aegean Airlines codeshare on flights operated by Singapore Airlines:
Between Singapore (SIN) and Frankfurt (FRA)
Operating Flight	Codeshare Flight	Sector	Days of Operation
SQ 26	A3 1201	SIN-FRA	Daily
SQ 25	A3 1202	FRA-SIN	Daily
SQ 325	A3 1204	FRA-SIN	Daily
Between Singapore (SIN) and Milan (MXP)
Operating Flight	Codeshare Flight	Sector	Days of Operation
SQ 378	A3 1203	SIN-MXP	Tues/Sun
SQ 368	A3 1205	SIN-MXP	Mon/Thur/Sat
SQ 367	A3 1206	MXP-SIN	Mon/Thur/Sat
SQ 377	A3 1208	MXP-SIN	Wed/Sun
Between Singapore (SIN) and Munich (MUC)
Operating Flight	Codeshare Flight	Sector	Days of Operation
SQ 328	A3 1207	SIN-MUC	Daily
SQ 327	A3 1210	MUC-SIN	Daily
Between Singapore (SIN) and Melbourne (MEL)
Operating Flight	Codeshare Flight	Sector	Days of Operation
SQ 217	A3 1215	SIN-MEL	Daily
SQ 227	A3 1217	SIN-MEL	Daily
SQ 228	A3 1216	MEL-SIN	Daily
Between Singapore (SIN) and Sydney (SYD)
Operating Flight	Codeshare Flight	Sector	Days of Operation
SQ 241	A3 1209	SIN-SYD	Daily
SQ 211	A3 1211	SIN-SYD	Daily
SQ 221	A3 1213	SIN-SYD	Daily
SQ 222	A3 1212	SYD-SIN	Daily
SQ 212	A3 1214	SYD-SIN	Daily

Singapore Airlines And Virgin Australia expand codeshare

Singapore Airlines (SIA),  the flag carrier airline of Singapore, and Australia's second-largest airline Virgin Australia (VOZ) has announced the expansion of their codeshare agreement to cover further destinations in Australia, Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom.

With immediate effect to all domestic destinations, Virgin Australia is now offering access to 32 Australian cities to Singapore Airlines customers. SIA will also expand codesharing to include trans-Tasman flights between Australia and the New Zealand cities of Dunedin, Queenstown and Wellington, subject to regulatory approval, in the coming months.

In the first quarter of 2013, Virgin Australia will in turn extend its current codeshare with SIA to cover connections from the East Coast of Australia to Europe, the United Kingdom and additional cities in Asia, via SIA’s hub in Singapore. Virgin Australia currently codeshares on SIA flights to Europe and the United Kingdom from Adelaide, Perth and Darwin. In total, Virgin Australia customers will now have access to 64 destinations in Asia and 12 destinations[1] in Europe on the SIA and SilkAir networks from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin.

“This codeshare expansion is a major step forward in our deepening partnership. With more cities covered, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia can together offer even better connections for our customers between Singapore and Australia, as well as through our Singapore hub to many more points around the world,” said SIA Executive Vice President Commercial, Mr Mak Swee Wah.

Virgin Australia Group Executive of Alliances, Network and Yield, Ms Merren McArthur, said: “There is strong demand from our customers to be able to travel onwards from Asia to Europe. We currently offer this option to customers from Adelaide, Perth and Darwin, and today’s announcement will see this expanded to include the East Coast of Australia. We also welcome the expansion of Singapore Airlines’ codeshare on our domestic services as it will help to promote tourism in Australia.” Source : SIA And Virgin Australia Announce Codeshare Expansion

A codeshare agreement is an aviation business arrangement where two or more airlines share the same flight. A seat can be purchased on one airline but is actually operated by a cooperating airline under a different flight number or code. The term "code" refers to the identifier used in flight schedule, generally the two-character IATA airline designator code and flight number.

Singapore Airlines And Virgin Australia entered into
a wide-ranging partnership last year

Based in Singapore Changi Airport with strong presence in the Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and "Kangaroo Route" markets, Singapore Airlines is the flag carrier airline of Singapore. Based in Bowen Hills, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Virgin Australia Airlines, formerly Virgin Blue Airlines, is Australia's second-largest airline as well as the largest by fleet size to use the Virgin brand. Both airlines have entered into a wide-ranging partnership last year. Last month, Singapore Airlines bought Virgin Australia Stake and Virgin Australia announced that it will use the proceeds to buy 60% of budget carrier Tiger Australia for A$35 million from Singapore's Tiger Airways Holdings Ltd.

 In addition to codesharing, the alliance covers reciprocal frequent-flyer programme benefits and lounge access, coordinated schedules to provide seamless connections, and joint sales, marketing and distribution activities. SIA and subsidiary SilkAir together serve 97 destinations in 36 countries across six continents. Virgin Australia serves 49 destinations in 14 countries.

Singapore Airlines will increase services between Singapore and Copenhagen

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will increase services between Singapore and Danish capital Copenhagen from current three weekly flights to five flights per week from 31 March 2013 (subject to airport slot availability). The announcement came after Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) has cleared the joint venture between SIA and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, on November 1st.  The joint venture will mean joint operations for SIA and SAS including the co-ordination of flight schedules and joint sales activities.

“We are very pleased to announce an increase in frequency to Copenhagen now that regulatory approvals have been obtained for our wide-ranging partnership with SAS. We look forward to further building on our ties with SAS to provide more travel choices for our customers,” said Singapore Airlines Executive Vice President Commercial, Mr Mak Swee Wah.

Singapore Airlines and Scandinavian Airlines have been code-sharing since December 2010. SIA adds its code to SAS-operated flights beyond Copenhagen to Helsinki, Oslo and Stockholm, while SAS has been codesharing on SIA-operated flights between Copenhagen and Singapore, and on selected flights between Singapore and Bangkok. According to press release by Singapore Airlines, an expansion of codeshare ties is currently under discussion and new services between Singapore and Scandinavia will also be explored, subject to market conditions.

SIA will fly 5 times a week to Copenhagen from Singapore.

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is a major regional center of culture, business, media, and science and has become the centre of the increasingly integrated Øresund Region,

Singapore Airlines Services between Singapore and Copenhagen

Flight number	Days of Operation	Departure Time	Arrival Time
SQ 352 - From Singapore to Copenhagen	Tue/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat	00:05 hrs	06:45 hrs
SQ 351- From Copenhagen to Singapore	Tue/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat	12:30 hrs	06:30 hrs + 1 day

World's best in travel in 2012

New York based travel magazine Travel + Leisure compiles a Worlds Best lists every year by surveying T+L readers to tell which hotels, destinations, and companies represent the very best in travel.  These World's Best Awards have been announced every August since 1995.

In 2012, according to Travel + Leisure press release, Osprey at Beaver Creek, Colorado is named Best Resort in the Continental U.S., Honolulu makes its debut on the list of Top 10 Cities in the U.S. and Canada, Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens is the first Costa Rican resort to rank among the top 10 hotels overall, and Vieques, Puerto Rico is voted the Best Island in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas in the Travel + Leisure 2012 World’s Best Awards readers’ survey, announced today. The results of the 17th annual Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards survey revealing readers’ favorite hotels, cities, islands, cruise lines, airlines, carUrental agencies, spas*, safari outfitters, and tour operators are listed on www.TravelandLeisure.com now, will be featured in the August digital editions on iPad®, NOOK Color™, and Kindle Fire™, and is the cover story of the August issue of the magazine, on newsstands July 20.

Singita Grumeti Reserves in northern Tanzania is the top ranked World’s Best Hotel overall for the second consecutive year and is one of four properties in Africa to place in the top 10 among hotels worldwide. Australia’s four year old Southern Ocean Lodge, on Kangaroo Island, makes its debut on the Top 100 Hotels list at No. 3. Hotel Santa Caterina, Amalfi, Italy is the top Resort in Europe and is featured on the T+L August issue cover. Triple Creek Ranch in Darby, Montana is the No. 1 Inn and Small Lodge in the Continental U.S. for the third year, and is ranked No. 2 among hotels worldwide. New York City holds its title for the twelfth year in a row as the Best City in the U.S. and Canada, and ranks No. 7 among top cities overall, while Bangkok retains its number one ranking in the world for the third year in a row. Istanbul rises to its highest ranking ever in the survey at No. 3 on the list of Top Cities Overall. Among cities in the U.S. and Canada, Chicago rises to the No. 2 spot and New Orleans moves up to No. 5 this year from No. 6 in 2011.

Two companies have held onto their No. 1 rankings every year since the poll began in 1996: Crystal Cruises (Best Large Ship Cruise Line) and Singapore Airlines (Best International Airline). The 2012 results, including the Top 100! Hotels, Top 50 Resorts in the Continental U.S., Top 10 Cities Overall, and Top 10 Islands.

Travel + Leisure Editor in Chief Nancy Novogrod said, "Even after 17 years, the opportunity to see what travel experiences resonate with our readers still intrigues and delights me. While some passions change over time, the allure of the exotic and the new remains as strong as ever, as does the attraction to trips that provide distinctive and long lasting memories. Along with great service, our readers crave adventure and the outdoors, reflected in their selection of this year s top three resorts in the Continental U.S., all located in Colorado mountain towns. And, this year, we re introducing our World s Best Awards Hall of Fame, celebrating the winners who have been recognized for the last ten years or more of the survey—congratulations to all 97 of you!"[1]

[1] - The Travel + Leisure 2012 World’s Best Awards Readers’ Survey Results of Top Hotels, Cities, Islands, Cruise Lines, Airlines, and More Announced Today

Singapore Airlines cancels non-stop Singapore - New York and Singapore - Los Angeles flights

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is halting its non-stop Singapore - New York and Singapore - Los Angeles services which were carried out ultra long-haul Airbus A 345 aircraft since 2004. By late 2013, all travelers flying to Los Angeles from Singapore by SIA will transit in Tokyo and travelers flying to New York from Singapore will transit in Frankfurt.

“Although disappointing that we will be halting these services, we remain very committed to the US market. Over the past two years we have increased capacity to both Los Angeles and New York by deploying A380 superjumbos on flights via Tokyo and Frankfurt. We will also continue to explore additional options to enhance our US services,” said SIA CEO Mr Goh Choon Phong.[1]

The non-stop Singapore - Los Angeles and Singapore - New York flights are currently world's longest commercial flights by duration and distance. The 18 hour Singapore - New York flight covers 9,500 miles and flies over Europe to US. The Los Angeles - Singapore flight covers 1,500 miles less but thanks to the headwinds over the Pacific Ocean, it takes 18 hours and 30 minutes.

The non-stop services fell victim to SIA's awful decision to convert the flights to all business class just before the 2008 financial crisis. Although the airline does not comment on the financial viability of the routes, Singapore Airlines is flying gas-guzzling Airbus A340-500s on the routes and according to Mr Shukor Yusof from Standard & Poors, Singapore Airlines is losing money from these services and will continue to lose money until they are terminated. According to Daily Mail, the only way to make money from the routes with these planes was by configuring the plane with 98 business class seats that sell for about $8,000 round trip.[2]

Singapore Airlines is cancelling worlds longest commercial flight by distance.
Photo - Daily Mail[2]

Singapore Airlines is cancelling worlds longest commercial flight by distance.
Photo - Daily Mail[2]

After these routes are cancelled, longest commercial flight by distance title will go to a Qantas route between Sydney and Dallas which covers about 8,500 miles (13,700 km) and worlds longest commercial flight by duration title will go to a Delta flight between Johannesburg and Atlanta, which takes 17 hours.[2]

Singapore Airlines is selling its fleet of Airbus A340-500 back to the manufacturer, Airbus, as a part of deal where it has ordered five more Airbus A380s and another 20 A350s.

[1] - Singapore Airlines to Order 25 More Airbus; Cease Non-Stop LA and Newark Flights
[2] - World's longest commercial non-stop flights - both from Singapore to the U.S. - to be cancelled

Singapore Airlines formally brings Internet and mobile data services to its long haul flights

This September, Singapore Airlines formally launched its US$50 Million In-Flight Connectivity Programme which will bring Internet and mobile data services to customers. The service has already be soft launched on a limited number of aircraft and by this month it will be available on 14 aircraft in Singapore Airline fleet, including all five Airbus A340-500s operating between Singapore and both Newark and Los Angeles. With this service travellers can surf the Internet, send and receive emails on smartphones and other electronic devices, and send and receive SMS text messages (not available in A-380s yet) with GSM-compatible mobile phones.[1]

But you will not be able to watch your favorite Korean drama on kimchidramas yet (well kimchidramas is shut down anyway) at least if you are not willing to pay hundreds of dollars per episode. Singapore Airlines In-Flight promotional price plans (which will last until 30 November 2012) are US$25 for 30 megabytes of data and US$10 for 10 megabytes of data (The previous plans cost US$29.95 for 26 megabytes and US$11.95 for 10 megabytes).

If you are a SingTel customer there is also a joint promotion with SingTel which allows you to enjoy discounted roaming rates of up to 40% for in-flight text messaging and GPRS data services.

Photo: expensiveplaces.com

In-Flight Connectivity Programme is executed through a partnership with OnAir and the technology will be rolled out across all of SIA’s long-haul Airbus A380-800, A340-500 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft over the next two years.

OnAir, a joint venture with SITA and Airbus, is a company which enables airline and cruise ship passengers to use their mobile phones and laptops for calls, text messaging, emails and Internet browsing. Currently some airlines  such as Qantas,  British Airways, Air Asia, Hong Kong Airlines,  Aeroflot, Air New Zealand, AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines, Etihad Airways – A320, A330-300, Thai Airways, All Nippon Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, Shenzhen Airlines, Wataniya Airways, Air Blue, Kingfisher Airlines and TAM Airlines are offering this service.



[1] - Singapore Airlines Launches US$50 Million In-Flight Connectivity Programme
[2] - OnAir (telecommunications)

Goodbye Megatop

I have first seen an image of Boeing 747 in a cartoon in early 80s in when I was in pre-school ages. Since I also knew a circus elephant named jumbo from another cartoon, it was strange for me to see a plane named jumbo. I have dreamed about taking one as a passenger since than but those were the times the plane tickets were not within reach of middle class. It took some 20+ years I had a chance to fly with one. That was my only time and that was thanks to Singapore Airlines. SIA normally flew Boeing 777 on the Istanbul - Dubai - Singapore route but that day for my luck, they have put a jumbo jet, Boeing 747 to serve this route.

Boeing 747-400 series airliners were introduced to SIA fleet in 1983 and named named Megatops.  They have been flagships of the airline from 1989 until the introduction of the Airbus A380 in October 2007. In 2003 SIA had 39 of them. Today it has only three. Unfortunately Singapore Airlines is saying goodbye to these beautiful planes soon with the last B-747 commercial flight from Singapore to Melbourne and back on March 24th 2012. The airliner was using the plane since 1973:

"SIA's big-aircraft needs are now mainly served by the Airbus 380 superjumbo, which is a more cost-effective and fuel-efficient plane to fly. 

The airline now has 15 A-380s with four more to be delivered in the next few months. The SIA spokesman said the local carrier has no immediate plans to order more A-380s or Boeing's new 747-8, an aircraft which will be launched into commercial service some time this year.  

The phasing out of the B-747 aircraft has also made it difficult for frequent fliers on the SIA Saver Scheme to redeem miles because the older aircraft services only limited flights. But from March 8, SIA will allow frequent fliers on the Saver programme to book business and first-class flights on the A-380 and other new aircraft."

Source : SIA says goodbye to Boeing 747 jumbo

Boeing 747 -400 series airliners were introduced to SIA fleet in 1983 and were called Megatops. 

The real reason to phase out Boeing 747 can be the fact that the airliner, which faces increased competition as well as potential disastrous results of a possible European debt crisis, is not willing to buy more jumbos whether they are Airbus A-380 or Boeing 747.