380N - Coming your way 2017

[CarbonMan]

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/...umbos-20140225

SINGAPORE Airlines is redesigning the interiors of the new Airbus 380 superjumbos that will join its fleet in 2017.

Planning and research work for the makeover, including conversations with design firms, started last year, SIA spokesman Nicholas Ionides said recently.

"We are in the early stages of the process, so there is very little to share at this point, particularly about what may be expected with the new products," he told The Straits Times.

The new design will debut on SIA's 20th A-380, which arrives in 2017.

That will be 10 years after it introduced the A-380 to its fleet, becoming the first airline in the world to fly the double-decker jet commercially.

[Jumbojet Lover]

"...its new Airbus 350s, which will start arriving in early 2016."

I thought SQ would have their first A350 delivered next year. Anyway, I think the only cabin that would get a new design would be Suites. Isn't it too soon for new Business and Economy products, given that the newest iterations made their debut in 2013?

[Nick C]

"...its new Airbus 350s, which will start arriving in early 2016."

I thought SQ would have their first A350 delivered next year. Anyway, I think the only cabin that would get a new design would be Suites. Isn't it too soon for new Business and Economy products, given that the newest iterations made their debut in 2013?

The first A350 for SQ is expected to be in Q1 2015.

Considering EIS will be in 2017, the current "new" product will be approaching 4-5 years (factoring lead in development time). Some tweaks will definitely be made - maybe improved IFE? Improved J product?

[Jumbojet Lover]

]Considering EIS will be in 2017, the current "new" product will be approaching 4-5 years (factoring lead in development time). Some tweaks will definitely be made - maybe improved IFE? Improved J product?

That's highly plausible. Can't wait to see what SQ presents in 2017! Also, still waiting to find out what SQ's superjumbo fleet plans are. The EIS of the 5 seem to be timed to replace the earliest frames, but why have they only ordered 5? Would SQ place a top-up order some time in the future for the other older frames? Could the 5 be for growth instead of replacement?

[Nick C]

That's highly plausible. Can't wait to see what SQ presents in 2017! Also, still waiting to find out what SQ's superjumbo fleet plans are. The EIS of the 5 seem to be timed to replace the earliest frames, but why have they only ordered 5? Would SQ place a top-up order some time in the future for the other older frames? Could the 5 be for growth instead of replacement?

SQ has the option to extend the lease by another 2 years (2019/2020) for the first 5 388s leased from Doric/Amedeo. Assuming SQ doesn't extend these leases, the incoming 5 will definitely be 1-1 replacements. Assuming SQ goes for the 777X, the first 5 will probably be replaced by the -9X variant.

[CarbonMan]

From an financial point of view, I think the idea of redesigning the R seats is a good idea. Reducing the number from 12 to 8 may also be another way to go, since the anecdotal info suggests that they are not well filled.

SQ should also consider bringing back PY seats. If priced correctly, I think they will be popular on longer routes. I feel some well-to-do older Y customers are moving to the competition because of that.

The 77WN J seats are very good already - they would be hard pressed to make them better. Maybe add in a massage function, a'la EK. Frankly SQ should start thinking about upgrading some of the oldest 388s to the newer J and Y seats before 2017, if they don't intend to replace them.

[milehighj]

The dumb thing about the current Suites design is that you get a relatively small bed + a relatively small seat, occupying a huge amount of real estate. Come up with a more efficient design, and Suites/First can be either 1-2-1 or 1-1-1 on the upper deck, and potentially a more exclusive and premium space.

[MAN Flyer]

The dumb thing about the current Suites design is that you get a relatively small bed + a relatively small seat, occupying a huge amount of real estate.

That's because it's a class beyond First.

Same Menu, same PJ's, same Amenity Kit, same Drinks, but beyond First.

[milehighj]

That's because it's a class beyond First.

Same Menu, same PJ's, same Amenity Kit, same Drinks, but beyond First.

But of course the millionaire travellers of the world don't care. That's why R (as opposed to P, F, A) is always full or overbooked...

[MAN Flyer]

But of course the millionaire travellers of the world don't care. That's why R (as opposed to P, F, A) is always full or overbooked...

Well bearing in mind last week my Mother had one other person in F with her from MAN to SIN (one more got on in MUC) and also one other pax in Suites from SIN to SYD I'd say the entire F product needs seriously looking at. They would be better of getting rid of F on a number of long haul routes or certainly a number of flights to certain destinations.

[9V-SIA]

SQ has the option to extend the lease by another 2 years (2019/2020) for the first 5 388s leased from Doric/Amedeo. Assuming SQ doesn't extend these leases, the incoming 5 will definitely be 1-1 replacements. Assuming SQ goes for the 777X, the first 5 will probably be replaced by the -9X variant.

So no chance of restarting non stop flights to US with -8X, huh?

I avoid Suites. Indeed I avoid A380s wherever I can

[Kyo]

So no chance of restarting non stop flights to US with -8X, huh?

I avoid Suites. Indeed I avoid A380s wherever I can

Why's that, 9V-SIA?

For sure, it can't be price...

[Nick C]

So no chance of restarting non stop flights to US with -8X, huh?

Wouldn't write it off but the 2021 EIS is a long wait. The A350 would have gone through a couple of improvements by then to allow SQ to resume ULH.

[SQ228]

What's the current thinking about all J upper vs upper Y cabin variants? The all upper J were looking like a bit of a liability a couple of years back- has the tide turned in their favour or would SQ maybe still regret having two variants?

[bent]

i am pretty sure SQ will be looking into Premium Y in the next year or so, i wouldn't be surprised if the A350s did away with F and comes with a larger J, Premium Y and Y