A350 Deliveries and Routes

[pokfur]

I'm sure there'll be an uproar if SQ did a KA. KA can justify what it did because it's still a separate airline from CX.

As it is, there are already routes such as CGK and HKG which are operated by a mix of long-haul and regional aircraft. Imagine boarding an A359 in JCL and getting the 2013 long-haul seats. And then flying F on the hypothetical A35K and still getting that same seat.

I'm under the impression that SQ is already developing a new F seat for the 777X. Maybe these can be fitted into the hypothetical A35K. After all, if SQ really orders it, both types might end up arriving around the same time? (tbh I'm not sure of the timeline of the 777X delivery)

[yuuka_miya]

A good discussion I might add.

I think your idea of a regional A35K is interesting and worth considering.
Perhaps 2 rows of 2013F will probably take up the additional 7m of cabin length vs the A359 leaving the same 40J, 263Y.

I of the opinion that 35K can be a 77W replacement for SQ. One can almost copy and paste the entire cabin over. Plus the A35K has a 25% fuel reduction over the 77W (figures from CX), its a winner in my books.

Happy to hear others thoughts.

Well, given that F is generally going the way of the dodo (and whatever's left is just Suites now), it might be a waste of money to certify and fit 2013F on a hypothetical A35K. Although it makes me wonder whether pulling a KA would be acceptable, by selling long haul J products as F regionally.

They could split the 77W into regional (no PEY, maybe lesser J, heck even 10 abreast Y while we're at it), and long-haul for flights that still justify an F cabin, at least until the 777X shows up and can sell suites in 1-1-1 or something.

All routes that have little F demand can just be run by the A350s, maybe SQ can modify the newer J products and sell something like MH's Business Suites (or whatever is it MU were doing) as an F replacement.

[9V-JKL]

All current/soon to receieve A35K operators seat more than 300, as follow:

QR: C46 + Y281 = 327
CX: C46 + W32 + Y256 = 334
VS: C44 + W56 + Y235 = 335
BA: C56 + W56 + Y219 = 331

The difference between 77W and A35K is that A35K only have 4 pairs of doors, if SQ put 10 or 11 rows between Door 1 and 2, there is still plenty of room to accommodate the PEY and Y seats.

Thanks for it.
But none of them have a F-cabin. I was referencing to SQ's LH config for 77W to A35K comparison.
Also comparing CX's 77G and A35K, the difference is a mere 6 seats.
Happy to hear your thoughts.

[9V-JKL]

SQ doesn't have any A35K. What we're discussing is all hypothetical.

A good discussion I might add.

I think your idea of a regional A35K is interesting and worth considering.
Perhaps 2 rows of 2013F will probably take up the additional 7m of cabin length vs the A359 leaving the same 40J, 263Y.

I of the opinion that 35K can be a 77W replacement for SQ. One can almost copy and paste the entire cabin over. Plus the A35K has a 25% fuel reduction over the 77W (figures from CX), its a winner in my books.

Happy to hear others thoughts.

[pokfur]

But A35K does not have F right?

I personally feel the C seat in A35K is better than the one in B787-10

SQ doesn't have any A35K. What we're discussing is all hypothetical.

If you're talking about the A359, are you referring to the long-haul seat or the regional seat?

If comparing the regional seat, I personally think that due to the larger cabin, the A350 fairs better than the 787, even though the actual seats are identical.

[SQ228]

I note on planespotters that it appears 9V-SHI will be skipped.

Although it would be a temptation to spray paint a T on the end, I suspect it also indicates that 9V-SHO will be skipped.

All combinations of H, I, O & X would created two-letter landing gear flap codes that cannot be distinguished from their reverse. HI and IH would be identical when turned upside down from each other, as would HO & OH. As X is never used, that wouldn't become an issue anyway.

[lingua101]

I think the A35K would be the right fit to replace the 5 super ageing 773s in the fleet. While kind of an odd ball, they do fulfill a rather niche role flying multiple flights to CGK and MNL daily. Perhaps SQ has no real rush to replace them, since the competition on those routes are rather weak. But eventually they'll get too old too and uneconomical. Alternatively, as the 777X gets delivered, SQ may abuse the old (by then) 77W and plonk them on these short routes, a bit like what the 77E SV- series is doing now.

But A35K does not have F right?

I personally feel the C seat in A35K is better than the one in B787-10

[9V-SPL]

9V-SHF is displaying her Final Registration and is ready for Delivery.

9V-SHF is scheduled to arrive in SIN on Saturday (11MAY19) with STA: 2000 as SQ8895.

[SQKevin]

9V-SHF is displaying her Final Registration and is ready for Delivery.

[SQ957]

I think the A35K would be the right fit to replace the 5 super ageing 773s in the fleet. While kind of an odd ball, they do fulfill a rather niche role flying multiple flights to CGK and MNL daily. Perhaps SQ has no real rush to replace them, since the competition on those routes are rather weak. But eventually they'll get too old too and uneconomical. Alternatively, as the 777X gets delivered, SQ may abuse the old (by then) 77W and plonk them on these short routes, a bit like what the 77E SV- series is doing now.

I thought of this too. Since Airbus offers numerous weight variants for their A35K, SQ could take the one that is closest in range to the 773. The 77Ws would be far too uneconomical for short haul routes to CGK and MNL.

[SQKevin]

9V-SHF has completed her CAF. Delivery looks very likely this weekend.

[pokfur]

Although getting some 35Ks for long haul service could free up 77Ws, which they can derate and use to replace the ageing 773s on the regional hops. After all, the 77Ws should have relatively lower cycles on them than the 773s.

Keep the F cabin, throw in the new regional J and perhaps 2017Y, and replace PEY with some more economy seats. I don't see them going 3-4-3 though.

The most I see them doing is to remove PEY and putting back the Y seats. The bean counters will probably argue that the existing 2013 F and J are more than adequate for regional flying

Frankly speaking though I prefer the 2013 J to the 2018 RJ simply because it’s more spacious haha.

[yuuka_miya]

Although getting some 35Ks for long haul service could free up 77Ws, which they can derate and use to replace the ageing 773s on the regional hops. After all, the 77Ws should have relatively lower cycles on them than the 773s.

Keep the F cabin, throw in the new regional J and perhaps 2017Y, and replace PEY with some more economy seats. I don't see them going 3-4-3 though.

[sutrakhk]

I think the A35K would be the right fit to replace the 5 super ageing 773s in the fleet. While kind of an odd ball, they do fulfill a rather niche role flying multiple flights to CGK and MNL daily. Perhaps SQ has no real rush to replace them, since the competition on those routes are rather weak. But eventually they'll get too old too and uneconomical. Alternatively, as the 777X gets delivered, SQ may abuse the old (by then) 77W and plonk them on these short routes, a bit like what the 77E SV- series is doing now.

773 are well fit for the mission like this. You can see CX is retiring 5 772A and replacing with 5 used Emirates 773 for the regional routes like HKG-SIN, HKG-BKK, HKG-TPE and Japan cities, CX installed 3-4-3 seats in Economy and 2-3-2 regional business class to carry 438 passengers

If SQ can update the 773 cabin once again, and better use the space in the first class cabin, they can still run economically for another 5 years

[pokfur]

I think the A35K would be the right fit to replace the 5 super ageing 773s in the fleet. While kind of an odd ball, they do fulfill a rather niche role flying multiple flights to CGK and MNL daily. Perhaps SQ has no real rush to replace them, since the competition on those routes are rather weak. But eventually they'll get too old too and uneconomical. Alternatively, as the 777X gets delivered, SQ may abuse the old (by then) 77W and plonk them on these short routes, a bit like what the 77E SV- series is doing now.