Singapore Airlines A380 Superjumbo Aircraft Now Serving New York

The Singapore Airlines A380 is now serving New York's JFK Airport, with the inaugural flight departing JFK, January 16th at 8:10 p.m. The world's largest commercial aircraft introduces the industry's only Double Suites -- a private cabin equipped with a double bed for two passengers -- as well as a host of enhanced seating, entertainment and dining options in every class, to travelers from the New York area.

Fly to Europe, Asia in a Private Suite

With only two Double Suites available on each aircraft, the Singapore Airlines Suites offer the luxury of an unprecedented level of personal space inflight. Each private cabin offers a 23-inch video screen with more than 1000 on-demand entertainment options, the industry's only choice of Dom Perignon or Krug Champagne, down duvet turndown service at bedtime, personal care amenities by Kiehl's, and exclusive sleeper suits designed by Givenchy. Coupled with the service of Singapore Airlines' award-winning cabin crew, SIA Suites' dramatically generous cabin size provides customers with a luxurious travel experience in a class unlike any other. Single Suite cabins are also available for solo travelers, offering the same privacy, amenities and features.

"Suite-to-Suite" Private Jet Connections

SIA has also announced an expansion of its partnership with JetSuite, the nation's fastest-growing private jet company, for travelers connecting to SIA A380 services at JFK. This expanded relationship enables Singapore Airlines to offer special rates on domestic and international private jet connections for travelers at airports located within 1,000 miles of JFK.

The SIA A380 superjumbo aircraft, operating as flight SQ26, is scheduled to make its maiden touchdown in New York's JFK at 11:10 a.m. local time. The Big Apple is the tenth destination in Singapore Airlines' network and its second point in North America, following LAX, to receive the world's largest commercial aircraft.

Singapore Airlines was the first carrier to operate the A380 in October 2007. The Singapore Airlines A380 will operate daily flights between Singapore and New York JFK (via Frankfurt) following the inaugural service. The schedule is as follows:

SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380
        NEW YORK - FRANKFURT - SINGAPORE
        (FROM 16 JANUARY, 2012)
        All times stated are local
        Singapore - Frankfurt - New York JFK
        Flight number Departs      Arrives    Departs    Arrives New
                      Singapore    Frankfurt  Frankfurt  York JFK
        SQ26          11:55 p.m.   6:10 a.m.  8:20 a.m.  11:10 a.m.
        New York JFK - Frankfurt - Singapore
        Flight number Departs      Arrives    Departs    Arrives
                      New York JFK Frankfurt  Frankfurt  Singapore
        SQ25          8:10 p.m.    10:00 a.m. 11:50 a.m. 6:50 a.m.

Singapore Airlines tests new South Korean destination

Singapore Airlines introduced a limited season service connecting Singapore (SIN) with Busan (PUS), South Korea’s second biggest city located on the country’s south-eastern coast. The route will be operated twice a week between 25 December 2011 and 22 January 2012 only, using 777-200 aircraft in a 266-seat configuration. The route has been operated earlier by both Singapore Airlines and Asiana, and the re-launch is a trial for its long-term viability. The tourism boards of Singapore and South Korea have long been advocating establishment of a permanent link between the cities. Every year, almost 100,000 visitors from Singapore visit South Korea, while thrice as many travel yearly in the opposite direction. Steve Young, Director of Korea Tourism Organization, commented: “With more travelling comes demand for greater choice and availability.”

Singapore Airlines, earned a reputation in the global aviation industry

Singapore Airlines has earned a reputation as a leader in the global aviation industry and received numerous awards due to its commitment to customer service and innovation.

Premium customer service is integral to Singapore Airlines’ success. Symbolized by the “Singapore Girl,” the marketing icon is one of the most instantly recognized figures in the global airline industry. This gives the company a great advantage over its competitors.

Singapore Airlines’ network stretches across 103 destinations in 39 countries, including non-stop routes between Incheon and San Francisco. It has also joined the Star Alliance network as part of its globalization strategy and commitment to improving customer services and benefits.

Since Singapore Airlines introduced in 1995 “KrisWorld,” a state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment and communications system across all three classes, it has increased the number of individual options to more than 1,000, including 100 of the latest movies and 180 television program sections. It has also become the first carrier to equip business applications within the on-demand system to ensure that passengers can do office work on board even without a laptop by accessing files from a flash memory drive with a remote control equipped with a Qwerty keyboard.

Singapore Airlines’ world gourmet cuisine boasts a selection of exclusive and tantalizing signature dishes. An international culinary panel, which consists of award-winning chefs from around the world, works closely with the company’s own chefs and wine consultants to offer a fine restaurant-style setting and culinary service in the sky.

The Southeast Asian country’s flag carrier recently developed a new first class to provide customers with the world’s finest air travel experience. It has just eight seats in Boeing’s longer-range 777-300ER to enhance customer privacy with a fixed back shell that extends to the sides of the seat.

The new business class’ seats are nearly 50 percent wider than those in planes operated by other companies. The wide seat, coupled with its ability to allow passengers to recline and adjust leg rest, grants customers the freedom to relax in the sitting and lounging positions that they most prefer throughout the flight.

Singapore Airlines’ notable growth comes as Korean consumers increasingly turn to premium services. In October 2007, it launched the first commercial flight of the Airbus A380, the world’s largest super-jumbo known as the “hotel in the sky,” connecting Singapore to Sydney.

Singapore Airlines and JetBlue Partner to Offer New Connections to Destinations Worldwide

Singapore Airlines offers the convenience of all-business class service each day from Newark to its hub at Changi International Airport in Singapore – the world's longest nonstop commercial flight - with connections throughout Southeast Asia. In addition, the airline also flies daily from New York/JFK to Singapore via Frankfurt. Beginning January 16, 2012, Singapore Airlines will deploy the A380 superjumbo on its daily service to JetBlue's home at New York/JFK.

At Singapore Changi Airport, customers have access to an extensive network of flight connections to destinations including Bali, Bangkok, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila, among many others. Singapore Airlines operates a modern passenger fleet of more than 100 aircraft and its network, including Singapore Airlines Cargo and SilkAir destinations, covers a total of 103 cities in 39 countries.

JetBlue is the largest domestic airline at New York/JFK, offering more than 150 daily flights that feature all-leather seating, the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline*, free in-flight entertainment at every seatback, and unlimited free snacks and drinks. It offers non-stop service to dozens of top destinations including Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C and from Newark to Boston, Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale.

Through this partnership, customers will now be able to book a single combined ticket for JetBlue and Singapore Airlines-operated flights with one stop check-in and baggage transfer between the two airlines. Customers may purchase JetBlue-Singapore Airlines travel via travel agents, online, or through Singapore Airlines' reservations call center.

"Singapore Airlines is one the world's leading airlines, and a pioneer in many ways," said Scott Resnick, JetBlue's director of airline partnerships. "We're happy to have our customers connect seamlessly on to their comfortable flights to Europe and Asia Pacific, where everything from the entertainment to the in-flight meals is carefully selected, providing a great complement to JetBlue's award-winning service!"

"JetBlue has for years been a passenger favourite for travel within the region," said C.W. Foo, Regional Vice President – Americas for Singapore Airlines. "This new partnership provides a seamless link for passengers in dozens of interior U.S. points to connect to our unique brand of Asian hospitality when travelling abroad."

Singapore Airlines voted world's best air carrier

Experienced travellers have named Singapore Airlines the world's leading carrier.

Global Traveler magazine surveyed more than 36,000 frequent luxury and business passengers for its GT Tested Reader Survey and found that the Singapore-based operator is held in the highest esteem overall, while Emirates was recognised for its first class flights.

The UK was represented by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, which picked up awards for business class services and seat design respectively.

Other airlines praised by Global Traveler readers include Lufthansa (best transatlantic carrier), TAP Portugal (best in Europe) and Alitalia (best cuisine).

The survey also covered destinations and accommodation, with South Africa voted the top international tourism hotspot and the Address Hotel Downtown Dubai picking up the title of best hotel in the world.

South Korea's Seoul Incheon was named the world's top airport for premium passengers.

Francis X Gallagher, publisher and chief executive of Global Traveler, said: 'Congratulations to all the winners. The companies topping our list this year are the very best of the best.'