Singapore Airlines Guide
Being well known across the globe, Singapore Airlines is the flag carrier for Singapore. Over the years, Singapore Airlines has earned a number of prestigious awards. One example is a ranking in the Top 40 of Fortune Magazine's Most Admired Companies for the year 2009.
This and other honours have been bestowed in part due to Singapore's commitment to the safety of its passengers, the excellent service record that is maintained by the company, and a sense of vision that allows the airline to be seen as an innovator within the industry.
Singapore Airlines History & Information
With a hub based at the Singapore Changi Airport, the airline is particularly strong in such locations as East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The airline is a subsidiary of the Singapore government and its holding company, Temasek Holdings.
Along with providing flights to a number of the larger markets, Singapore Airlines also operates a subsidiary airline known as SilkAir. This subsidiary services flights to and from a number of smaller venues, and also interlinks with the parent airline at a number of hubs.
This network structure allows Singapore to remain competitive with larger airlines that provide flights to countries around the world. Thanks to this type of organisation, the airline is among the Top Ten passenger airlines in the world.
Singapore Airlines Routes
Singapore Airlines flies to 65 destinations in 35 countries, and is particularly strong in the so-called Kangaroo Route markets, operating flights across the Pacific to Newark, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, California being two notable examples.
However, where Singapore Airlines truly dominates the air lanes is throughout the Asian continent, with routes from the North and Southeast of Asia including destinations like Tokyo, Beijing and Jakarta; and West Asia, with destinations like Cairo, Kuwait and Dubai being served. The airline also serves destinations in Africa such as Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The Singapore Airlines Fleet
There are several suite classes available on different Singapore Airlines flights. The Airlines Suites Class offers the biggest and best in seats, with this level of service available only on a limited number of flights that are serviced by the Airbus A380. Flights to London, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Paris, and Sydney are examples of destinations where this type of suite class is available.
Currently, there are four types of first class cabins available on different flights. The New First Class, first introduced in 2006, is only provided on flights using the B777-300 ER aircraft. The seats are larger and somewhat plusher than other classes.
Sporting leather upholstery with mahogany framework, the seats are also equipped with a sizeable LCD screen. These same seats can also be let down into a comfortable bed if necessary. Plans to expand this level of service to additional flights is currently underway.
Additional Information
Business Class customers have several advantages. While not quite as large as the seats afforded to New First Class customers, travellers utilising Business Class will still enjoy seats that are larger than the industry average. The seats will fold out into a fully flat bed for longer flights. USB ports, an in-seat power supply, and decent sized personal televisions also are included.
For Economy Class passengers, travellers can still enjoy personal television screens, and seats that include such features as adjustable headrests, a recline capability, and foot rests. While the seats do not let down into beds, they are extremely comfortable and work very well for people who are travelling on a budget. Enhanced accommodation in Economy Class is part of the routine flights to such locations as Osaka, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Perth.
When it comes to cuisine, Singapore Airlines is known for offering excellent food for passengers in all three flight classes. Depending on the destination, the airline tends to offer foods that are indigenous to the region.
As one of the most respected airlines in the world, Singapore Airlines is poised to increase the number of destinations it serves. With its combination of quality service and innovative approach to managing the operation of the airline, frequent travellers would do well to watch Singapore's progress, and take advantage of the chance to enjoy flights to any destination that the airline currently serves.