SQ A330 Inaugural Flights SIN-BNE-SIN and Training Flights

[hofo_mofo]

I only just got around to reading this thread.

So sorry to hear of your denied boarding SQ LPP

Unfortunately the rules for NZ changed last year - now anyone who needs a visa to enter NZ also needs one to transit.



In reality a transit can be done without going through immigration at any hour of day or night (between about 1am and 4am need to use phone call to get transit security to open up).

I guess NZ immigration fines airlines if they let pax onboard without visa who need one?

Having been denied boarding by SQ for visa rules before I know it is not a good feeling - even moreso for SQ LPP being such a special flight in fine company.

As Kiwi said, big time it would appear [i don't ever remember seeing this one before]:

New Zealand Transit Rules: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...visit/transit/

Visa Free countries: http://glossary.immigration.govt.nz/...ecountries.htm

And yeah SQ LPP really sorry to hear you were denied boarding, that really does suck especially given the fact that you came such a long way...but of course this won't be the last 1st flight right. Every cloud does have a silver lining

[LukeGT]

Remember I am very old! I think there is an age limit for Australian new migrant (individual category)!

Isn't there e special treatment for those coming directly from the Jurassic era?

LOL

SQ LPP, I'm very sad for all the stressing events that hit your travel plans. It's so bad to hear you missed the inaugural. I suspect SQ missed a part of its without you onboard.

[SQ LPP]

Unfortunately the rules for NZ changed last year - now anyone who needs a visa to enter NZ also needs one to transit.

Well, when I called Air New Zealand a month ago by giving my itinerary, the agent on the phone said it was okay, since I did not need to go through immigration as just a connection.
Anyway, thinking about it, it would be another hassle to get a visa since I had to apply to Ottawa. I was told that if I had Australian visa, it would be okay for me to connect at AKL. But I did not have time to get Australian visa because I was told at least 30-days processing time for me.

[Lie_flat_seatlover]

Kudos SQ_LPP for staying positive through out your ordeal!

[Kiwi]

I only just got around to reading this thread.

So sorry to hear of your denied boarding SQ LPP

Unfortunately the rules for NZ changed last year - now anyone who needs a visa to enter NZ also needs one to transit.

Just tell them that you are trying to re-enact The Terminal by Tom Hanks.

There is no immigration check if you stay in transit in AKL. It is really up to the SQ manager in SIN to let you board or not. Of course, given by-the-book SQ management mentality, no exceptions can be made even with obviously no risk to the company.

Hope you can get home quickly, smoothly and safely.

In reality a transit can be done without going through immigration at any hour of day or night (between about 1am and 4am need to use phone call to get transit security to open up).

I guess NZ immigration fines airlines if they let pax onboard without visa who need one?

Having been denied boarding by SQ for visa rules before I know it is not a good feeling - even moreso for SQ LPP being such a special flight in fine company.

[SQ LPP]

PS: Once in town, I saw the following, which might help SQ LPP to prepare his next trip!



Hope he will have no problem on his upcoming trips!

A registered *Migration* agent would help him become Australian!

Remember I am very old! I think there is an age limit for Australian new migrant (individual category)!

[SQ LPP]

Hmmm...busy should never happen...no answer...well, that should have gone to vm... One of these days...

It must be my US prepaid T-Mobile cell problem.
I had been receiving sms saying HI... and when I replied, it kept saying hi. Then I would get picture messaging as well as an url myspace/...
Virus?
I got busy answer and no answer when calling other SQTalkers in the US that I know.

[Kyo]

A registered *Migration* agent would help him become Australian!

[DeltaFlyingProf]

Leaving 9V-STC

Here is a picture of our bird on arrival:



And I was not the only one taking pictures





PS: Once in town, I saw the following, which might help SQ LPP to prepare his next trip!



Hope he will have no problem on his upcoming trips!

[DeltaFlyingProf]

Bolding is mine, and I could have sworn the first flight was not met by CCS ...

Singapore Airlines has launched Airbus A330-300 flights between Singapore’s Changi Airport and Brisbane International Airport.

The arrival of the aircraft into Brisbane coincides with the 25th anniversary of the airline’s operation of services into the city, and the first flight was met by Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Chew Choon Seng, and the new Queensland Minister for Tourism, The Hon Peter Lawlor MP.

Well I kind of have the pictures to prove CCS did not meet the flight. Here they are...

Evidence and witness number one (1):



Evidence and witness number two (2):



Evidence and witness number three (3):



Does any of the witnesses want to recuse himself?

[9V-JKL]

Thanks for sharing guys

Is it me or did the festivities seem somewhat muted compared to the other inaugurals?

[MAN Flyer]

Bolding is mine, and I could have sworn the first flight was not met by CCS ...

Singapore Airlines has launched Airbus A330-300 flights between Singapore’s Changi Airport and Brisbane International Airport.

The arrival of the aircraft into Brisbane coincides with the 25th anniversary of the airline’s operation of services into the city, and the first flight was met by Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Chew Choon Seng, and the new Queensland Minister for Tourism, The Hon Peter Lawlor MP.

The Singapore Airlines A330-300 is configured in a two-class layout, with 30 new Business Class seats, and 255 Economy Class seats.

The new Business Class seat has been especially designed for regional and medium-haul routes, offering enhanced levels of comfort, privacy and functionality. The seat converts to an incline lie-flat bed. The cabin is laid out in a 2-2-2 configuration (distinct from the existing B777 on these routes, which is in a 2-3-2 layout).

Economy Class features 255 seats, in a 2-4-2 configuration. These are the new generation Singapore Airlines Economy Class seats, also available on the Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A380 aircraft.

The Singapore Airlines A330-300 also offers iPod and iPhone connectivity in every seat, including Economy Class.

All seats feature the new KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines inflight entertainment system.

Singapore Airlines has currently four A330-300s in fleet, with another fifteen A330-300s due to be delivered between now and 2010. Progressively, the planes will enter service between Singapore and other cities in Australia (Adelaide and Perth), then Japan (Nagoya and Osaka).

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news09...Airlines.shtml

[HUGE AL]

...BTW, I called your number, but either busy or no answer...

Hmmm...busy should never happen...no answer...well, that should have gone to vm... One of these days...

[SQ LPP]

As should be the case. Enjoy the Noodle Bar & ice cream...oh...and your flight.

Well, the food/snacks offering never changed. But knowing will be in Y, decided to have udon, sushi, and desserts. Enough for my pre-dinner.
Well, you will be surprised. I, in fact, enjoyed my ride back to SFO. (BTW, I called your number, but either busy or no answer.) Enough leg rooms for me. And with the seat besides me empty, I have room to spread out. Feel fine when getting off the plane.
Had the dinner on board (of course nothing to talk about, it's just an airline food), and skipped breakfast. But I had picked melon bun from NH lounge. Thus, it was enough for my breakfast.
Now in Castro before heading back to SFO to catch my flight up north.

I can share a few pics but will take some time to load up.

Impatient here. Come on, load them up quickly!

One thing I really can't wait to hear about is the iPod integration. I will be flying to BNE in May (8th) and well I really want to give this system a shot

It works well... I heard...
As mentioned in another thread, if you want you can buy the connector and pack it in your carry-on. This you don't rely on the availability of the connector on board.

[hofo_mofo]

No worry about cleanliness. Last time I did the LHR-SIN inagural flight, the aircraft was pretty clean when we boarded.

Me worried, never Me sinister, dubious, and evil...oh you betcha

[wow, there are a lot of extra emoticons for this board! lol]

....
Interesting viewpoint.
You calling me a human shield?

Human shield, expendable ...hey whatever floats your boat there

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One thing I really can't wait to hear about is the iPod integration. I will be flying to BNE in May (8th) and well I really want to give this system a shot