Highlighting this carrier’s commitment to the flagship Airbus jetliner
Airbus today delivered the first “New Singapore Airlines A380” with an upgraded and improved cabin that elevates the passenger experience to new heights – the result of four years of development and a significant investment by the airline.
The milestone delivery involves the first of five new double-deck Airbus A380s that Singapore Airlines is adding to its fleet, and the $850 million spent by the carrier in developing the new cabin clearly underscores the airline’s ongoing and full commitment to Airbus’ flagship jetliner.
“We are proud to deliver the first of five new A380s for Singapore Airlines,” said Airbus Chief Executive Officer Tom Enders, who noted that Singapore Airlines was the first to fly the A380, and has operated the aircraft with the highest levels of technical excellence from its service entry. “The aircraft has proven to be a huge commercial success in service with the carrier, flying passengers efficiently and in comfort on the airline’s long haul and regional network.”
In addition to its five new aircraft, Singapore Airlines also will retrofit the new cabin on 14 of its A380s already in service. The retrofit programme will begin at the end of 2018, to be undertaken by the airline in conjunction with Services by Airbus – the Airbus operation created to deliver world-leading integrated aviation services. All 14 Singapore Airlines A380s will be retrofitted by 2020.
Improvements throughout
The New Singapore Airlines A380 features six private Suites on the forward upper deck with a swivelling recliner, an office area and a bed; 78 newly designed Business Class seats on the upper deck; and on the main deck, 44 Premium Economy Class and 343 Economy Class seats. Throughout, the iconic aircraft offers the latest in-flight entertainment systems and full connectivity from every seat.
The redesigned Suites allow passengers to lounge comfortably in the chair or rest in bed without the need to convert the bed from a sitting position. Business Class seats offer more under-seat stowage space, measure a spacious 25 inches in width and recline into a 78-inch full-flat bed.
The leather-finished seats in Premium Economy Class are 19.5 inches wide, offer a calf-rest and foot-bar, individual in-seat power, and more stowage space under the seat. Economy Class seats offer wider-than-average 18.5-inch seats, an improved design that provides additional back support, a six-way adjustable headrest with foldable wings and an ergonomically-designed footrest with adjustable positions.
First aircraft delivered with carrier’s latest cabin products and innovations
Singapore Airlines has taken delivery of the first of five new A380 aircraft scheduled to join the carrier’s fleet over the coming year, at a special ceremony hosted by Airbus in Toulouse, France. The aircraft delivered today is the first in the airline’s fleet to feature its recently launched onboard cabin products and innovations.
In addition to the five new aircraft, Singapore Airlines will also retrofit 14 A380s already in service with its new cabin products. The retrofit work is expected to begin late in 2018 and will be undertaken by the airline in conjunction with Services by Airbus. All 14 aircraft are scheduled to be retrofitted by 2020.
The new Singapore Airlines A380 offers more personal space in all classes, accommodating a total of 471 passengers. The cabin features six private Suites and 78 Business Class seats on the upper deck and 44 Premium Economy Class and 343 Economy Class seats on the main deck. The aircraft also features the latest in-flight entertainment systems and full connectivity from every seat.
“The delivery of our newest A380 with all-new cabin products is indeed an exciting occasion, and we are pleased to be celebrating this important milestone with our great partner Airbus,” said Singapore Airlines CEO Mr Goh Choon Phong. “When we put the world’s first A380 into commercial service in 2007, it set new industry benchmarks for premium full-service air travel. A decade later, the Singapore Airlines A380, featuring our flagship products and legendary service, remains a customer favourite, and we continue to receive highly positive feedback about the travel experience on the aircraft.”
“We are proud to deliver the first of five new A380s to Singapore Airlines featuring the carrier’s beautiful new cabin design,” said Tom Enders, Airbus Chief Executive Officer. “Singapore Airlines was the first to fly the A380 and has operated the aircraft with the highest levels of technical excellence since day one. The aircraft has proven to be a huge commercial success in service with the carrier, flying passengers efficiently and in comfort on the airline’s long haul and regional network.”
“We thank Singapore Airlines for its ongoing strong commitment to the A380 programme and look forward to working together with the carrier as it renews and refreshes its fleet.”
Capable of flying up to 8,200 nautical miles non-stop, the A380 is the world’s largest and most spacious airliner and offers the most efficient solution to meet growth in passenger traffic on the world’s most heavily travelled routes. The A380 is the only aircraft with two full decks, featuring wider seats, broader aisles, and more floor space. Today the A380 is flying with 13 world class airlines on 120 routes around the globe. Since entry-into-service in 2007 the A380 world fleet has carried over 190 million passengers.
