A380 Pre-delivery news

[Ex-SIN]

First flight on October 25 SIN-SYD, returning SYD-SIN on October 26 (bid for seats on eBay).

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070816/nyth026.html?.v=101

The SQ A380 will have 471 seats in three classes: economy, business and the new Singapore Airlines Suites -- "a class beyond First".

[SQflyergirl]

From the article:
World aviation history will be made when the Singapore Airlines A380 makes its First Flight -- SQ380 -- to Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport on Thursday, October 25, and return to Singapore on Friday, October 26.

Assuming that this is the sched for now with 1 frame, and only current flights are used, with the current timings

And understanding the current rotations:

221---232
219---220
231---222


Reading into the above statement a little... it

• eliminates the SQ231/222 current rotation combo. That is a same day turn.
• eliminates the SQ219/220 current rotation combo. 220 does not return in time from SYD to operate the next 219
• does not eliminate the SQ221/232 current combo, nor does it preclude the possibility a change to a SQ221/220 combo.

it also precludes the possibility of using these combos:

• 231/220 - as 231 does not arrive in time to turn as 220
• 232/220 - same day turn
• 231/232 - same day turn
• 219/232 - 232 does not arrive back in time to operate the next 219
• 219/222 - 222 does not arrive back in time to operate the next 219
• 221/222 - 222 does not arrive back in time to operate the next 221

I'm basically grasping at little snippets and making a few assumptions, but with 1 airframe, and a "next day return" as per the article, and using the same flights, and times , I'm guessing only two combos:

• 221/232 or 221/220

[KeithMEL]

Official press release:

http://www.a380.singaporeair.com/con...essrelease.pdf

DELIVERY DATE SET FOR 15 OCTOBER
FIRST A380 FLIGHT ON 25-26 OCTOBER

Airbus and Singapore Airlines have agreed to a delivery timetable for the first A380 aircraft.

The aircraft is planned for handover by Airbus to Singapore Airlines on Monday 15 October at a ceremony in Toulouse, France.

It will be configured with 471 seats in three classes: Economy, Business and the newSingapore Airlines Suites: a class beyond First.

Within a few days of delivery, the aircraft will fly to Singapore’s Changi Airport: the world’s first A380 home airport. There will be a short period set aside for crew and ground staff familiarisation.

World aviation history will be made when the Singapore Airlines A380 makes its First Flight – SQ380 – to Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport on Thursday 25 October, and returns to Singapore on Friday 26 October.

Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Mr Chew Choon Seng, said the delivery would mark the beginning of a new chapter for the aviation industry. “Everyone at Singapore Airlines is keenly anticipating the delivery of this new plane, and our people are working hard on final preparation for its entry into service. The first flight promises to be one of the most exciting occasions in aviation history.

“We are overwhelmed by the support of the community – from all over the world – for the charity auction. And I would like to thank the many partners and service providers that have followed the lead of our fuel supplier, ExxonMobil, and eBay, in donating their services for the First Flight’s charitable causes.

“While occasions like this are few and far between, we hope this enthusiasm generates support for very worthwhile causes,” Mr Chew said.

Seats across all three classes will be auctioned on the global online marketplace, eBay. There will be plenty of seats put to auction, allowing many opportunities for travelers keen to be part of history to join the First Flight experience.

For the new Singapore Airlines Suites, the A380’s First Flight will be the first ever occasion to fly on what will be a product that totally redefines luxury in the sky.

Entry into scheduled service will commence on the Sydney route soon after the First Flight.

A further announcement will be made on this in due course.

[MAN Flyer]

Singapore Airlines Suites: a class beyond First.

Aaaah, after two years of telling everyone who would listen (and those who wouldn't ), it's finally official.

(leans back in chair, hands behind his head with smug grin on face)

[SQflyergirl]

Singapore Airlines Suites: a class beyond First.

Aaaah, after two years of telling everyone who would listen (and those who wouldn't ), it's finally official.

(leans back in chair, hands behind his head with smug grin on face)

Well called.

However, i hope they don't put some other code on it.

Reason: shooting yourself in the foot.

Most companies, MNC's, tend to nominate eligible class of travel as first, business and economy.

an example: MH domestic used to be called First, which was out of bounds. With the same price,service, seats, lounges etc - they renamed it to Business (or Golden Club) - and suddenly it was not out of bounds to me anymore.

Certain people in my company are allowed first class, but you change it to "super duper beyond first" or whatever, and your market suddenly shrinks - as it's "not first", therefore you're not entitled to fly it.

Same goes with J for me. You change the name to "so-far-beyond business-we-don't-even-call-it-business", even if it is only in reality business - and I'm not entitled anymore.

I hope they thought about that.

[MAN Flyer]

However, i hope they don't put some other code on it.

I actually hope they do rename it. That way they will look very silly for changing from Raffles to Business Class, as the reason they gave for that ludicrous decision was to 'avoid confusion'.

[tfung]

I just got the email to register to bid.. man.. is it a pain in the rear side to even get registered... bank guarantee for minimum of US$10,000 if you want to bid for F? jeez.. would be so much easier to just give them a credit card and hold the amount for the duration of the auction...

[UMD]

Singapore Airlines Suites: a class beyond First.

Aaaah, after two years of telling everyone who would listen (and those who wouldn't ), it's finally official.

(leans back in chair, hands behind his head with smug grin on face)

Finally! Well called, Man Flyer. Just to make sure I am not confused... there will be only 3 classes and not 4, right? Y,C, and this new First Class.

[SQflyergirl]

I actually hope they do rename it. That way they will look very silly for changing from Raffles to Business Class, as the reason they gave for that ludicrous decision was to 'avoid confusion'.

Some people are fortunate enough to be self employed. Change it to "not business class" or an equivalent of it - and many a prospective flyer is excluded.

[singaporu_kooku]

Hmm... Suite eh? Wonder if they will have special cabins for this passengers... It will definitely be a class beyond first
Can't wait for the official announcement..

[quik!]

Emailer sent out today, apologies if already posted.
------------



August 16, 2007

Dear Mr Quik,

The world’s first commercial flight of the A380 will take off from Singapore on 25 October 2007 and return from Sydney on 26 October 2007.

Singapore Airlines will auction seats on both
legs of the flight on eBay. All proceeds will be
donated to charities.



Don’t miss this chance to be part of history!

On board, you'll be the first to experience new standards in comfort and luxury across all three classes of travel. Indulge in masterful culinary delights from renowned chefs Sam Leong (Singapore) and Matthew Moran (Australia), members of the Singapore Airlines International Culinary Panel.


You will also receive a personalised certificate to commemorate participation in this historic event. The auction will begin on 27 August 2007. Read the full story, and click here for more details of each flight and to qualify for bidding.

To participate in the auction, you will need an eBay ID to log in and to register for qualification. If you do not have an eBay ID, simply click here to create one.

Count down to the first flight when the Singapore Airlines A380 takes off for Sydney with our online countdown clock. Please continue to visit the A380 website for the latest updates on the auction. You can also have news delivered directly to your desktop with the Singapore Airlines A380 Desktop Agent.


Yours sincerely,
The Singapore Airlines A380 Team

[MAN Flyer]

Just to make sure I am not confused... there will be only 3 classes and not 4, right? Y,C, and this new First Class.

Correct. 12 F Suites.

[LightSpeed]

Singapore Airlines Suites: a class beyond First.

So lemme get this straight: travellers in this new class will have an SQ boarding pass will have "SAS" on it?

[sq_a380]

will anyone here be on the 1st flight?

[LightSpeed]

will anyone here be on the 1st flight?

It's a tad early to say, unless members here are part of the flight / cabin crew.

There's an auction for the seats on the first flight.
More info at singaporeair.com