Extra 10kg baggage for Singapore Airlines

As of 15 November 2013, passengers in all classes on Singapore Airlines can enjoy an extra 10kg of checked in luggage. Economy will now receive 30kg, Business will receive 40kg, and Firstr and Suites will receive 50kg. Star Alliance/ KrisFlyer Gold members will continue to receive 20kg extra on top of these new allowances. PPS Club members can receive double the base amount. That is, 100kg in Suites and First, 80kg in Business and 60kg in Economy. The universal maximum 32kg per piece still applies (for OH&S). When travelling to and from the US or Brazil, all customers in all classes are limited to 2 pieces not exceeding 32kg each. Star Alliance Gold may carry 3 pieces, and PPS Club may take 4 pieces. 

This increase in baggage allowance is the latest in the string of amazing improvemts to the world's best airline.

The end of the Boeing 747?

                                 

                                   The final resting place for many 747's (Photo: Airliners.net)


The '747', 'Jumbo Jet' or 'Queen Of The Skies'  may soon be a rare sight. Why? Airlines simply don't want to buy them.

The introduction of the 747 into commercial service with Pan Am in early 1970 saw massive support throughout the whole aviation industry. For nearly 40 years it held strong as the biggest and most amazing airliner in the world. Every major airline in existence had huge orders for the aircraft. Singapore Airlines once had over 50 747's in their fleet, and had the largest fleet of 747's in the world. In April 2012, they retired their last 747. Many airlines are beginning to do the same, and every day the chances of seeing a 747 take-off or land get smaller. 

Tata and Singapore Airlines to launch new airline in June next year

After lengthy discussion and a final 'OK' from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board, Tata-Sons and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have announced that they hope to commence operations of their new Indian based commercial airline in May-June next year. This announcement was provided by Prasad Menon, the Chairman of the new airline. Plans state that SIA will initially hold a 49% stake, with a $49 Million investment. Tata will hold the remaining 51% as well as provide $51 Million for investment.

Unsurprisingly no information about the name, branding, cabins or routes has been released as yet. However, the Chairman stated that they may be utilising aircraft from SIA's current fleet. This will most likely include the airline's older 777-200s, as they are progressively replaced by the 777-300ER, A350 and 787-10X. This airline will be a premium full service carrier, and in the midst of this, Tata have revealed plans to create an Indian budget carrier with Air Asia.

Left to right: Goh Choon Phong (SIA CEO), Ratan Tata (Tata-Sons Chairman Emeritus), Anand Sharma (Indian Minister For Commerce And Industry) - Photo : AFP

Singapore Airlines New Cabin Launch and New Indian Carrier

It was recently revealed by a Singapore Airlines spokeswoman that the new cabins, that were revealed earlier this year, will be launched into service on September 27. SQ 318 on the day will be the first commercial flight of the first of the airline's brand new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. SQ 318 operates from Singapore to London, departing Singapore at 12:45pm. This aircraft features new Economy, Business and First class seating, along with the new KrisWorld entertainment system. It is apparent that the aircraft will not operate regular flights until October. Up until October 27, it shall be operating on various different flights between Singapore and London.
As well as this, Tata and Singapore Airlines have announced plans to create a new full service premium carrier based in India. Tata will own a 51% stake, with SIA holding the remaining 49%. This is another huge step into making SIA into a larger airline. Currently, the SIA group consists of a full service premium long haul carrier (Singapore Airlines), a full service premium short haul carrier (Silk Air), a budget long haul carrier (Scoot) and a budget short haul carrier (Tigerair). This new Indian airline will add to the airline's growing group.

The new Business Class seat (Photo: Singapore Airlines)

Singapore Airlines Launches New Ad Campaign

Singapore Airlines (SIA) yesterday premiered it's 3 new advertisements that will feature in TV, digital media (e.g. YouTube) and in print form. The ads se part of the theme "The Lengths We Go To", which is all about showing how the airline will do whatever it takes to make you feel comfortable and at home when flying. The ads focus on three aspects including bringing you tea from China, art films from Italy and soft leather from Scotland. 

The first ad shows an SIA flight attendant in the foggy tea fields off Fujian China. It continues to then show a man in a Business Class seat drinking the tea. The final scene (which is used in all the ads) is of the stewardess talking to the man and then a transition to an animation of moving clouds behind a gold SIA logo. The second ad displays an SIA stewardess in a foggy Scotland. She is shown in a leather shop, and the intricate cutting and application of leather to the Business seats are shown. The third ad portrays the stewardess in Venice picking out vintage art films. The cabin of the aircraft is then shown with people watching films on the entertainment system.

The airline's YouTube channel has updated their logo to the new gold/ beige that was used in the ads. 

The new ads clearly display how the airline will go places to bring back things for passengers to make them more comfortable. 

Along with this, SIA launched a new website: www.thelengthswegoto.com which displays a whole new aspect of the airline. It allows customers to discover more about the ads as well as seeing how the concepts of the ads are carried through. So, for the ad regarding leather, there are pages that show pictures and describe the seats onboard (in particular the next generation seats). There are also a variety of wallpapers to download as well as a screensaver that changes between those wallpapers.

The new branding will hopefully bring SIA back into the number 1 or 2 spot along with the next-gen cabin launch in a month's time. The airline continues to improve in many areas, keeping it as the world class airline it has always been.

First Commercial 787 Lands In Australia - Air India

Today (Friday 30 August), marked the beginning of a new 787 Dreamliner service to Australia. Air India previously operated the Australian routes, but after a 16 year halt on their Australian flights, the airline has returned with a bang. 

The flight operated was AI 312 that will fly Delhi - Sydney - Melboourne. It touched down this morning in Sydney at 8:29 am (14 minutes behind schedule), and then landed in Melbourne at 11:59, 39 minutes late. 

The aircraft was greeted with helicopter fly bys for photos as well as a traditional water salute courtesy of Air Services Australia. 

Air India is offering these flights for around AUD$1,100 return depending on time and date. They are one of the few airlines, along with United Airlines, who operate the 787 in the 3-3-3 (9 abreast) configuration in Economy. The airline offers an 18 seat Business Class cabin at the front in a 2-2-2 configuration.

The troublesome Dreamliner has caused setbacks in many airlines since its 2011 introduction to service. The world's 787 fleet were grounded by the FAA in January this year after battery and fire faults. Qatar Airways was scheduled to launch the first commercial 787 flight to Australia with a Doha - Perth route, however this was put back because of delivery delays. 

This all comes soon after Boeing revealed the first finished Boeing 787-9, the stretched, longer range edition. Air New Zealand will launch this aircraft next year. The third 787 edition will be the 787-10X, of which Singapore Airlines is the launch customer with the largest order. These should enter service some time in 2015-2016, and will be equipped with SIA's next generation cabins.

The Traditional Water Salute In Sydney (Photo: Rob Homer)

The aircraft on the ground in Sydney (Photo: Rob Homer)

On the runway in Sydney (Photo: James Morgan)

Amazing Video by Wolfe Air

Take a look at this unbelievable video by WolfeAir, using a heavily modified LearJet 25B. WolfeAir specialises in in-air filming and photography. I own none of this video. It is the sole property of WolfeAir.