Messing around with MEL

[SQ228]

SQ237/8 appears to be getting exactly as is scheduled- retrofitted 73As -these are 9V-SYF to SYL.

It's actually SQ217/8 that has been stuffed around recently. It has lost its 77W on quite a number of days. Sometimes to 9V-SYE, which is the only 773 which wasn't retrofitted and operates mainly on CMB flights for the time being.

Worse than this, SQ217/8 has been getting sporadic substitutions with 772s from the 9V-SQA-SQH set, which are the future Scoot jets and by all accounts on this forum in very poor condition to be wearing the SQ livery.

However, today is the last day of 777s on SQ217/8. Tomorrow's SQ217 departure from SIN is scheduled to be the first day that the A380 commences on these flights!!

9V-SKS is now in service and this means MEL's twice-daily 388 service is ready to go!

[MLflyer]

MEL Seasonal Increase

SQ might be adding 2 new services to MEL over the northern winter period, almost 5 daily services out of MEL during the period!

23NOV-01FEB
SQ247 arrives MEL 05:25
SQ248 departs MEL 07:10
operates on 3,5,7 A333

22NOV-31JAN
SQ257 arrives MEL 23:15
SQ258 departs MEL 00:30
operates on 2,4,6 A333

*subject to change and confirmation

In addition to SQ207/208, SQ217/218, SQ227/228, SQ237/238 we now have SQ247/248, SQ257/258 to choose from if the flights are to happen. Possibly due to the A380 being taken out of the MEL route, but then again would of made sense to fly the A380 on SQ217/218 if they are planning to fly 2 planes as per planned schedule above since SQ257/258 will be pretty much identical.

[SQ228]

SQ might be adding 2 new services to MEL over the northern winter period, almost 5 daily services out of MEL during the period!

23NOV-01FEB
SQ247 arrives MEL 05:25
SQ248 departs MEL 07:10
operates on 3,5,7 A333

22NOV-31JAN
SQ257 arrives MEL 23:15
SQ258 departs MEL 00:30
operates on 2,4,6 A333

*subject to change and confirmation

In addition to SQ207/208, SQ217/218, SQ227/228, SQ237/238 we now have SQ247/248, SQ257/258 to choose from if the flights are to happen. Possibly due to the A380 being taken out of the MEL route, but then again would of made sense to fly the A380 on SQ217/218 if they are planning to fly 2 planes as per planned schedule above since SQ257/258 will be pretty much identical.

Quite unexpected news but I think it makes alot of sense. Currently flights are sold out for days on end and that includes an A380, so come Xmas time sans-A380 there'd be a serious shortfall. The more MEL-based passengers they can get to SIN, the more onward connecting seats we will fill for SQ.

There's one main reason that MEL and the A380 have never really gotten along well together- in order to be deployed effectively, it had to be assigned to SQ227/228 and that means a 10 hour layover while SQ237/238 arrives and departs. They tried SQ227/238 but SQ238 never had the demand required and a 773 on SQ228 was not sufficient, which largely lead to MEL becoming the final regular destination for the 747.

SQ247- this will assist SQ227 to cope with the demand, which I always get the impression is the busiest flight to or from MEL.
SQ248- this is a real interesting one. For those with the ability to arrive at the airport around 4.30 a.m. (ouch!) it will connect to a variety of flights that MEL has never been able to without a long layover that leave SIN between noon and 4.00 pm. Personally, I won't be getting up at 2 am for that option!
SQ257- the daytime SIN-MEL flights are massively popular, always packed full and connect with so many flights arriving into SIN of a morning. Another one will not go astray for sure.
SQ258- operates at almost the exact same time as SQ218. Not sure if it's a lot of use to double capacity at that time, but since i've never flown on SQ218 I couldn't comment.

[NoChanceToDance]

Interesting news, and given the lack of availability on SQ flights into and out of MEL, especially during Summer it looks like a good move for SQ.

Timings are a little strange, and like SQ228 I cannot imagine me getting up to arrive at the airport around 4/5am to catch the 248 service. I could probably make use of 247 though, as it would shorten the layover in SIN if coming from LHR on 319 or 321. It would get me into MEL an hour earlier and I might be able to go home before I go to the office for a change!

258 is a little strange, given they already have 218. I've flown 218 several times over the past few years, and even when it's been operated by a 777 I don't remember it completely full in Y or J. I enjoy flying that flight, gets me to SIN at a good time to connect to 308, which lands in LHR approx 15.30, better than those early morning arrivals in my opinion.

I guess at the end of the day, the more the merrier for MEL.

[SQ228]

258 is a little strange, given they already have 218. I've flown 218 several times over the past few years, and even when it's been operated by a 777 I don't remember it completely full in Y or J.

It's just possible that 258 could have something to do with Indian connections. This is just my guess, but a lot of passengers out of MEL connect to DEL or BOM. Usual practice in December and January, especially for DEL, is to shift the overnight flights to early mornings on account of heavy seasonal fog. I've heard it's too unreliable to land at DEL at 0530 so the flights switch to a later timing which sees them leave SIN at 0700. That could certainly provide extra passenger demand as many Indians living in Melbourne fly home during their summer break to visit family and SQ has really cornered the market.

Just arrived home an hour ago from flying SQ207 into MEL. Not an empty seat to be seen anywhere.

[NoChanceToDance]

It's just possible that 258 could have something to do with Indian connections. This is just my guess, but a lot of passengers out of MEL connect to DEL or BOM. Usual practice in December and January, especially for DEL, is to shift the overnight flights to early mornings on account of heavy seasonal fog. I've heard it's too unreliable to land at DEL at 0530 so the flights switch to a later timing which sees them leave SIN at 0700. That could certainly provide extra passenger demand as many Indians living in Melbourne fly home during their summer break to visit family and SQ has really cornered the market.

Just arrived home an hour ago from flying SQ207 into MEL. Not an empty seat to be seen anywhere.

Coming into MEL is always heavily conjested I find, no matter which flight. I've never flown in on 207, but have used all of the other current inbound MEL flights, and rarely have I seen an unoccupied seat.

I fly into and out of Adelaide a fair amount now, and much more freesom in the main cabin on those flights.

[MLflyer]

SQ Increase confirmed, x5 services 3 days of the week. It looks like SQ257/258 won't be happening for now. New afternoon departure exSIN to MEL.

Singapore Airlines in Northern Winter 2014/15 season is increasing service to Australia. From 22NOV14 to 31JAN15 (SIN departure), Singapore – Sydney and Singapore – Melbourne route sees overall frequency increases from 28 to 31 weekly.

Singapore – Melbourne
SQ207 SIN0740 – 1815MEL 333 D
SQ217 SIN1045 – 2115MEL 77W D
SQ247 SIN1240 – 2315MEL 333 246
SQ227 SIN2115 – 0745+1MEL 77W D
SQ237 SIN2350 – 1020+1MEL 773 D

SQ248 MEL0030 – 0510SIN 333 357
SQ218 MEL0105 – 0545SIN 77W D
SQ238 MEL1130 – 1610SIN 773 D
SQ228 MEL1645 – 2125SIN 77W D
SQ208 MEL1930 – 0020+1SIN 333 D

http://airlineroute.net/2014/07/23/sq-australia-nov14/

[MAN Flyer]

A380 back to MEL, part time at least:

Singapore Airlines in Northern summer 2016 season once again plans to operate Airbus A380 aircraft on Singapore – Melbourne route, scheduled to operate from 24JUN16 to 03SEP16 (SIN departure).

The A380 is scheduled to operate on SQ217/218 service, 3 times a week. The following is A380 operational schedule.

SQ217 SIN1045 – 2010MEL 388 567
SQ218 MEL0005 – 0600SIN 388 167

http://airlineroute.net/2015/12/21/sq-mel-jun16/

[MLflyer]

A380's back to MEL effective 31OCT looks to be pernament. Will operate SQ217/218 daily. Along with more messing around with MEL, the only unaffected flights are SQ227/228.

Singapore – Melbourne Revised operational aircraft changes

SQ207/208 01SEP16 – 22OCT16 Planned A350 operation, revealed on Airlineroute on 10JUL16, remains unchanged. Service operates with 777-200ER from 23OCT16
SQ217/218 eff 30OCT16 A380 replaces 777-300ER, daily service
SQ227/228 Daily 777-300ER, no changes
SQ237/238 01SEP16 – 29OCT16 777-300 replaces -300ER on Day 567 (Day 167 from MEL)

Read More: http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/...ation-changes/

[SQfanatic]

Ok so one 77W is freed up (Maybe 2 since 237/238 will go back to 773 temporarily on certain days).

[SQ228]

A380's back to MEL effective 31OCT looks to be pernament. Will operate SQ217/218 daily. Along with more messing around with MEL, the only unaffected flights are SQ227/228.

I want our A330 back on SQ207/8!

Since they delayed the timing of SQ337 out of DUS in January, I'm thinking I may call and insist that I feel my connection time at SIN is going to be too tight and use that to get me moved onto the A380 upper deck instead...

Can't face another 772 experience again.

[SQ218]

SQ217 is already serviced by A380 last 3 days, including today (9V-SKE).
Flight schedules still shows 77W. I'm on SQ217 next Feb and still showing 77W. As long as my outbound SQ228 remains 77W I am OK

[cowie]

SQ217 is already serviced by A380 last 3 days, including today (9V-SKE).
Flight schedules still shows 77W. I'm on SQ217 next Feb and still showing 77W. As long as my outbound SQ228 remains 77W I am OK

SQ217/218 is serviced by the A380 late June to early September over weekends only. This was announced a few posts up in Dec 2015. Once I found out, I took advantage of the switch to redeem a pair of Suites tickets heh...

[SQ228]

From checking a couple of dates here and there, MEL appears to be getting all upper-J with PEY on SQ217/8 when it switches to full time A380 in October. Either that, or they don't know yet and aren't willing to let us grab upper-Y seats...

[MLflyer]

SQ moving A350 services forward to 10AUG, which is this week !!!

Singapore Airlines moves forward A350 Melbourne service to mid-August 2016
Posted 8 August 2016

Singapore Airlines in last week’s schedule update is moving forward planned Airbus A350-900XWB service debut on Singapore – Melbourne route, previously scheduled to operate from 01SEP16 to 22OCT16. Latest update shows the A350 will begin Melbourne service this Wednesday, 10AUG16. Planned schedule as follow.

SQ207 SIN0745 – 1710MEL 359 D
SQ208 MEL1825 – 0015+1SIN 359 D

Read More: http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/...form=hootsuite