Why only the oldest 772ERs to Johannesburg

[simonlwk]

Hi Fellow SQtalkers

I'm a newbie here. I'm a expat Singaporean living/working in Johannesburg South Africa for the past 7 years.

The few times I have gone back to Singapore twice was on SQ and once on EK . Now being a loud and proud Singaporean, I would love to fly SQ all the time, but sometimes the fares doesn't allow for....

Why is it that SQ keeps flying its oldest 772/ERs (ie the 9V-SV*s)!?

I wish they would retire those and fly the new A330-343Xs with the new cabins to JNB?

Anyone with some thoughts and feedback on this?

S

[SilverChris]

I think the A330s can barely make it to JNB.

[simonlwk]

Ok, fair comment....if not the A333 then what in SQ's fleet then?

[SilverChris]

Ok, fair comment....if not the A333 then what in SQ's fleet then?

To cover for a few older 772s that left before the 787s arrive.

[Jumbojet Lover]

Besides the 772, the 77W would be able to cover the range needed to South Africa. BUT SQ utilizes the 77W on high-yielding routes with premium traffic and I believe those do not include flights to JNB and CPT.

In short, it is unlikely that SQ would send other birds besides their 777-200ERs to S.A. any time soon...

[simonlwk]

Aww shucks.....a few more years of the oldest long haul product?

Even the regional 772s have been refurbished, but why not the long haul ones...

Any ideas on how long more SQ will be using their regional/long haul 772s?

[wsssaero]

The A333s are covering for their regional 772s, not the long haul ones. Presumably the 772s will remain until the 787 or A350 arrives, since those are the aircraft which were supposed to replace the 772s. The A333s are a short-term solution due to the 787 delays...if not SQ would be flying 787s by now.

[simonlwk]

Based on current news....787s and 350s are only probably going into service with SQ late 2011 if 2012?

[Jumbojet Lover]

When SQ ordered the 787s in 2006, they were expecting delivery 2011, 3 years after the original EIS of 2008. It's 2011 and the 787 has yet to enter commercial service, so SQ will definitely not receive any 787s in 2011. 2012? Unlikely...

A350s should be arriving in 2012 or 2013, not too sure.

[wlgspotter]

When SQ ordered the 787s in 2006, they were expecting delivery 2011, 3 years after the original EIS of 2008. It's 2011 and the 787 has yet to enter commercial service, so SQ will definitely not receive any 787s in 2011. 2012? Unlikely...

Well, I believe that SQ ordered the 787-9 (not sure if they ordered the 787-8 or any other 787 variant)... Air NZ is the launch customer for the 787-9, and will be the first airline to receive and operate the 787-9. That is not expected to happen until late 2013, so it is unlikely SQ would receive and operate any 787 before the end of 2013 I think...

[simonlwk]

so all in all.... I'm stuck flying the oldest long haul product from SQ between JNB and SIN?

[KC*]

so all in all.... I'm stuck flying the oldest long haul product from SQ between JNB and SIN?

Actually, isnt the 744 the oldest long haul product?

[SQADL333]

If you don't mind a bit of a detour You could fly SAA To Perth on their A340 and Continue on SIA using a A330 onto Singapore to avoid the oldest long haul product.Otherwise the only other way is Emirates via Dubai.

[simonlwk]

I have tried Emirates.... needless to say, their 77W product is superior compared to the 772/ERs of SQ....but the service....well, that's a different story altogether!

[SilverChris]

Actually, isnt the 744 the oldest long haul product?

744 J = SpaceBed = 772E J