Singapore Airlines ramps up the comforts for Auckland
- December 13, 2019
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Singapore Airlines has announced that it will deploy its retro-fitted Airbus A380 aircraft to Auckland from October 2020 delivering a 3.1% increase in alliance capacity on the route. The deployment of the retro-fitted A380 will provide Kiwis and those visiting New Zealand a new level of comfort and technology, with the aircraft configured to carry up to 471 customers across four classes, with six Suites, 78 Business Class seats, 44 Premium Economy seats and 343 Economy Class seats all featuring Singapore Airlines latest myKrisWorld inflight entertainment system.
The new cabin products and inflight entertainment system, launched in 2017, are part of an USD $850 million-dollar investment aimed at delivering customers in every class with more space, privacy and comfort.
The deployment of the newly retro-fitted A380 in 2020 follows a year in which Singapore Airlines deployed new Airbus A350-900 aircraft to Christchurch and Wellington, and announced that the Wellington service will increase from four times weekly to five times weekly from 1 January 2020. The new cabin products will make their debut in Auckland on 26 October on flight SQ285 and operate on the route through to March 2021.
As well as featuring the new intuitive myKrisWorld inflight entertainment system that allows those who log in with their KrisFlyer number to transfer their playlists, favourites and even where they’re up to in a movie or TV show between flights with the same system, the retro-fitted A380 also delivers a new level of comfort and luxury in every class.
The new Suites are configured in a 1-1 format and tucked spaciously within the front cabin of the upper deck, providing customers with a sense of exclusivity and intimate privacy.
Behind its artistically designed sliding door lies a personal oasis complete with lavish furnishing and finishes. Each Suite is furnished with a separate full-flat bed with adjustable recline and plush leather chair, enabling customers to lounge comfortably in the chair or rest in bed without the need to convert the bed from a sitting position. For couples travelling together, the beds in the first two Suites of each aisle can be converted to form a double bed. When not in use, the bed can be stowed completely, creating even more personal space within each Suite.
Each Suite also has a 32-inch full HD monitor that can swivel for the different viewing angles in seat and bed modes, a full-sized personal wardrobe, customised handbag stowage compartment, amenity box lined with soft leather, specially designed carpet and a feature wall with mood lighting – all exquisitely crafted to give a touch of luxury and intimacy.
Configured in a forward facing 1-2-1 format providing every customer with direct aisle access, the interior of the Business Class cabin showcases a modern yet organic colour scheme featuring a selection of soothing and classy leather and fabrics, in addition to lightweight carbon composite materials.
Measuring 25 inches in width, the Business Class seat, which has two side wings for better back support, reclines directly into a comfortable full-flat bed (78 inches). Customers may also stretch out fully in a ‘sun-deck’ position to watch movies on the 18-inch high definition touch-screen monitor. A larger back shell on every seat creates a cocoon-like feel for more privacy while the centre divider can be fully lowered to form double beds, making the two centre seats an ideal choice for customers such as families travelling together.
A unique feature of the new Business Class seat is that it has a carbon fibre composite shell structure, as compared to conventional aircraft seats which use metal as the primary support structure. This thinner base structure allows for better optimisation of the seat and creates more under-seat stowage space to accommodate a full-sized cabin bag and laptop bag or handbag.
Premium Economy Class comes with a contemporary and stylish design configured in a 2-4-2 layout. Each seat is 19.5 inches wide, with eight-inch recline and seat pitch of 38 inches. Customers will be treated to an enhanced in-flight entertainment experience with the provision of active noise-cancelling headphones and a sleek 13.3-inch full HD monitor. Other features include a full leather finishing, calf-rest and foot-bar for every seat, individual in-seat power supply, two USB ports, personal in-seat reading light, cocktail table, and more stowage space for personal items.
The Economy Class cabin is configured in a 3-4-3 format with the seats designed and built by RECARO, offering more space and greater comfort through an improved design. Leveraging on advanced technology and ergonomics, seats offer more legroom and back support, with a six-way adjustable headrest with foldable wings. The Economy Class seat also features a more contemporary fabric seat cover design.
An 11.1-inch touch-screen monitor eliminates the need for handsets and offers more convenience to customers who wish to catch the latest movies on myKrisWorld, Singapore Airlines’ award-winning in-flight entertainment system.
Other features include a patented non-intrusive reading light installed underneath the seatback screen, personal storage space for small personal items, a coat hook, in-seat power supply and ergonomically designed footrest with adjustable positions.
