SINGAPORE AIRLINES: A380’s back in the air from 18 November

This is heartening news, especially when added to the previous report of NSW opening its borders to unlimited international travellers from 1 November.

Background

Singapore Airlines grounded its A380’s back in March 2020, when the COVID-19 virus affected travel worldwide. 20 months later, at least some of the planes will return to service. Others, the firstborn, are being torn up as I write, once re-useable elements have been stripped from the planes

The Routes

Singapore will be putting these giant birds back to work on the Singapore to London route initially – as of 18 November:

SQ322 Singapore to London 11:45 pm arriving 5:55 am (+1 day)
SQ317 London to Singapore departing 10:55 am arriving 7:50 am (+1 day)

You might see it listed on other flights, but London/Singapore is the only route the airline has confirmed.

Remember that Singapore has recently cut its fleet of A380’s from the original 19 to an eventual 12.

Configuration of the Singapore Airlines A380 consists of 471 seats spread over 4 classes:

• 6 first class suites
• 78 business class
• 44 premium economy
• 343 economy

Singapore Open

The restored A380 service coincides with Singapore’s opening for vaccinated travellers as part of its Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) which allows fully vaccinated flyers from select countries to travel to and through Singapore without needing to quarantine. You will need to be tested and travel on dedicated VTL flights

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

I had the pleasure of travelling back from London back in 2016 in the (now old) First Class suites. I loved the suites and that I and my husband could sleep in a ‘double bed’ – if having a big solid divider up to the mattress height between you counts as a double bed! The service and food and beverage were impeccable if a little less friendly than that we received on Qantas.

I’m glad to know if any A380 service is back in the air since it is my favourite aircraft, but am particularly fond of this service – which I hope soon extends to Sydney.