SQ to lease B744 from MH

[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]

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

And no SQ logos on the engines?

[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...'

[jjpb3]

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

[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?!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Singapore Airlines]

What about B777s?

[flyguy]

the "new" ex-MH 744 will not be on the NZ run this 7th june - a couple of weeks later. However do note that these 2 ex-MH 744s are newer than most of SQ 744s, and having only been refurbished and with MH new F, J and EY seats; its much better than current SQ 744s - plus the EY is esp good as the seat pitch is 34" instead of SQ's 32".

[milehighj]

Yikes! Maybe SQ should paint the a/c in Silkair colours...

[eddyooi]

Does anyone know when SQ will start using these planes to AKL? I intend to fly down there on F 7th June. Am open to try the new MH seats.

[Verbal]

Getting old Dumbojets will not do SQ's image any good.

[CGK]

Heard from LSS in my flight today that she goes to the course for this 744-M.

[The High Flyer]

Yes SQ is in fact leasing two B744 ex-MAS, one is ex-9M-MPE and the other will be ex-9M-MPC. Both airplanes have the recently configured MH new F & J class cabins. MPE has been in Subang for a while and is already painted all-white and readied for dleivery to SQ, while MPC will come to Subang soon for preparations for redelivery.
FYI, both MPC & MPE are being sold by MAS to an international leasing company who will then lease them to SQ.

Thanks for the update, flyguy! It always helps when we have some insider within our ranks who is able to provide some market intelligence! Hopefully in the near future I'll be able to contribute too.