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A380 consigns the era of Boeing 747 to history

SINGAPORE — The sense of anticipation was decidedly palpable. At a glittering event at Changi Airport's new Terminal 3 facility, Singapore Airlines yesterday unveiled the cabin interior on its new Airbus A380.

The event coincided with the first touchdown in Singapore of the A380 symbolically bringing to an end the era of Boeing 747 jumbo. The event attended by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong signalled a quantum leap in aviation history both technologically and environmentally. Despite being persistently dogged by delays and an insider trading scandal the successful delivery of the first A380 is an extraordinary achievement for Airbus. The moment of landing was a moment of perfect emotional theatre.

The Singapore Airlines A380 is configured with 471 seats in three classes with 12 Singapore Airlines Suites — heralded by the airline as 'a cabin class beyond first' — on the main deck, 60 Business Class on the upper deck, and 399 Economy Class seats, across both decks. The exceptional quality of the Suites raises the benchmark by which other airlines will be judged. It simultaneously throws down the gauntlet to rival airlines such as Emirates to surpass such quality standards and attract similar premiums.

In answer to a question from Khaleej Times Yap Kim Wah, senior vice-president products and services said the airline anticipated being able to attract up to a 20 per cent premium over existing first class fares. This also increases pressure on other airlines to compete in this finite market. The stakes could not be higher.

The new Singapore Airlines Suites have been designed by French luxury yacht designer Jean-Jacques Coste of Coste Design and manufactured by Jamco Corporation of Japan and Sicma Aero Seat of France.

The seat in each Suite is almost a metre wide and is adjustable with a seat control panel to accommodate a variety of sitting and lounging positions.

When the customer is ready to sleep the cabin crew will make up a full-sized bed. The bed is designed separately into each Suite, and does not convert from the seat itself. The full flat bed offers customers the choice to rest in their preferred sleeping positions and also allows them to sit and lounge in bed to read or catch movies on their personal 58 centimetre (23-inch) LCD screen.

Business Class

Customers can look forward to experiencing the world's widest business class seat on the Singapore Airlines A380. Designed by James Park Associates (JPA) of the UK and manufactured for Singapore Airlines by Koito of Japan, the seat has won acclaim since being fitted to the Airline's Boeing 777-300ER fleet last year.

Because of the increased cabin width on the A380, the seats are even larger. Measuring 86 centimetres (34 inches) in width, the Business Class seat can be transformed into a comfortable full-flat bed. Innovative design of the bed enhances sleeping comfort, and also allows customers to lounge in bed to watch TV or eat, as they might at home.

Seats in the Business Class cabin are arranged in a forward facing, (1-2-1) configuration that offers all customers direct access to the aisle. The fixed back shell on every seat can be extended to the sides for greater personal privacy. Other features include a 39-centimetre (15.4-inch) LCD screen fully equipped with USB ports and in-seat power, exclusively designed bedding and dining-ware by Givenchy, enlarged dining table that is height-adjustable, as well as trolley bag stowage under the seat.

Economy Class

The new Singapore Airlines Economy Class seat offers greater comfort through improved seat design and the use of new, lighter and thinner materials. The new seats, designed and built by Weber (USA), provide more personal space, legroom and knee-room.

Customers can catch the latest movies on KrisWorld on a larger 27-centimetre (10.6-inch) screen in each seat. A USB port is also available at each seat to allow customers to access the enhanced functionalities on KrisWorld.

Other intelligent features include the non-intrusive reading light installed underneath the seatback screen, personal storage space for spectacles and small personal items, a coat hook, foot rest and in-seat power supply.

KrisWorld

The new KrisWorld is fitted onto the Airline's A380 and B777-300ER fleet, and will provide a wide selection of entertainment options, including 100 movies, more than 180 popular TV programmes, a library of 700 music CDs, music channels and many learning applications. Singapore Airlines is the first airline in the world to offer 3D games on the inflight entertainment system.

Exclusive to Singapore Airlines a comprehensive suite of office applications is also available on KrisWorld, allowing customers to work during the flight: they can save their work at the end of the trip simply by plugging in a USB drive.