SQ to lease B744 from MH

[WSSS]

What about B777s?

Since the B777s cannot carry the same capacity than that of the 744, they have to lease the 2 744s to meet the demand of the customers going to AKL. I doubt that this news is true since neither SQ or the press made any announcement of such a deal. We shall see how things goes. IMO, SQ won't lease two aircraft when they plan to decommission five B744s in FY 2007.

[flyguy]

do believe that this is true and SQ may or may not make a press announcement on this lease as they dont really have to if they do not want. Altho SQ is "decommissioning" its own 744s - but these are due to a variety of reasons such as age of aircrafts, and the upcoming "D" checks to be done if SQ decides to use its own older 744s which will be more expensive to use for just 10 mths to 18 mths.

[RJA]

Since the B777s cannot carry the same capacity than that of the 744, they have to lease the 2 744s to meet the demand of the customers going to AKL. I doubt that this news is true since neither SQ or the press made any announcement of such a deal. We shall see how things goes. IMO, SQ won't lease two aircraft when they plan to decommission five B744s in FY 2007.

SQ has already agreed to sell a number of its 744s to other airlines and must maintain their commitments to these other airlines. However because of the serious A380 delays, SQ is now short of aircraft. Therefore it is plausible for SQ to lease some 744s in the short-term to cover for these aircraft shortages.

Edit: The schedules for AKL have now been updated on amadeus past July 1st. SQ AKL shedules not yet updated.

SQ285/286: daily 747-400
SIN-AKL: 2255/1220+1 (timings are 1hr later than current scheds, reducing the turnaround time)
AKL-SIN: 1400/2035

SQ281/282 unchanged.

[sq_a380]

Ok people...its true!

Pics here
http://www.aeromalaysia.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2734

Apparently it departed Subang for Changi yesterday at 7pm.Malaysian Flag in place of Singapore Flag! Also keeping the Malaysia Airlines seat config?!

[jjpb3]

So more pitch in Y? If so, I hope they send it to LHR.

[MAN Flyer]

Interesting. I wonder if they'll both be in *A livery instead of full SQ colours. Maybe easier to convert again later with all that white.

I also wonder if anyone will write in after flying on one saying 'I paid for an F/J ticket expecting a Skysuite/SpaceBed...'

[RJA]

Us Aucklanders will be seeing plenty of this aircraft over the coming months!

And no SQ logos on the engines?

[WSSS]

Good for you guys. Even if you are not a plane spotter, go there with your camera and at least take a picture of the aircraft once.

[RJA]

Oh I am a planespotter, and I'll be sure to get some shots of this rather unique aircraft after I return from HKG.

[WSSS]

That's good to hear.

[Singapore_Air]

The MH configuration is stupid and is less densely configured than our own ones.

Also they have a prayer room which takes up space. And there is probably no view for pax seated in 17&18 HK?

But alas, operational needs take precedent. Just a slight pity but at least SIA has another B744.

That Malaysian flag needs to go though and the Birdy needs to be put on the engines.

[IanDeYoung]

Also they have a prayer room which takes up space.

A prayer room? I never knew that they have this in their aircraft. Where is it located by the way?

[Singapore_Air]

It's on the right side at door 2

[sq_a380]

Yes from what I've been informed, the Singapore flag was already painted and then covered over by the Malaysian flag using a decal. Reason for having the Malaysian flag is that the law requires it as long as any airplane is in Malaysian registry.

Well its supposed to be reregistered after arrival so I think the Malaysia flag will be going

[SQflyergirl]

I also wonder if anyone will write in after flying on one saying 'I paid for an F/J ticket expecting a Skysuite/SpaceBed...'

I think the chaps in F won't complain too much - these are the very very nice NSD seats