A380 - Product launch and delivery

[Singapore_Air]

Peter11, I cannot speak for bars, spas, showers or bowling alleys. However, with regards to Lounges, Singapore Airlines has provided such a large amount of personal space in both New Business and Suites that it has solved the issue of not having a lounge in itself.

PhilH, the separate bed and mattress is 27" wide and is a bi-fold bed that comes out of the wall fittings directly behind the passenger. The seat is folded over to be used as a support. As in one of the videos above, the seat can have an assembly set onto the surface to provide a sort of bedside cabinet, or indeed, breakfast in bed.

[jjpb3]

Peter11, I cannot speak for bars, spas, showers or bowling alleys. However, with regards to Lounges, Singapore Airlines has provided such a large amount of personal space in both New Business and Suites that it has solved the issue of not having a lounge in itself.

I think you've missed Peter11's point. I read his post as saying that the drive towards personal (or at most, two-person) privacy may not enhance the travel experience as much as SQ has bet. A lounge (a la VS) would allow people to socialize; enclosed personal spaces, no matter how large, don't create that opportunity.

For many people, travelling isn't necessarily about cocooning yourself. SQ seems to have bet on people wanting a lot of privacy onboard.

(Apologies, Peter11, if I misinterpreted your post.)

[MovieMan]

I just got an email from SQ about the 380. I looked at some of the videos (dont have audio on this computer) and other info. though I could easily have missed some important stuff. While it is all interesting it is not that exciting to me. The new First I guess is okay, but where are all the speculated other features like the bar, lounge, spa, showers, bowling alley (okay I made that up)? Seriously, are there any features on this plane other than a whole lot of seats and a bigger lavatory in first? Yeah yeah, I know the suites are different, it just looks sort of claustrophobic to be enclosed in such a small compartment for 12 or so hours. I know the top airlines are going in that direction, it just is not my thing.

If in fact SQ has not incorporated any extras, then it is almost certain that as the more run of the mill airlines get the plane it simply will just be a huge cattle car, packed with even more seats. Is anyone going to make good on the concept of making travel more than just a seat/bed?

I know I sound like a sour sport, but really, there was so much hype about all the space on this plane. where did it go?

I know there was a lot of talk initially about all the great possibilities for what could be done with all that space, but I think it was all marketing/hype on Airbus's part. I doubt most of the airlines even considered some of those things seriously. And you're right--I think that if SQ isn't incorporating any of those extras, it is very unlikely that other airlines will.

[Singapore_Air]

For many people, travelling isn't necessarily about cocooning yourself.

I'm not sure if you can say for many people but leaving semantics aside, there is still opportunity to look around the cabin as the blinds are up and the doors are open even if you cannot look directly in front or behind you.

[Peter11]

jjpb3...you got my point correctly. But even forgetting my own bias (more features over cocoons), it seems that the media (perhaps not SQ) sure speculated a lot about other features that would find their way onto the most luxurious commercial aircraft. It made for great headlines, but alas the reality seems to fall short.

Regarding Singapore Air's comment....I dont know you...and I dont want this to come off badly....its not a personal attack....I did get a chuckle though when I read your comment:

"..large amount of personal space in both New Business and Suites that it has solved the issue of not having a lounge in itself."

Sounds like something a PR department would write.

[jjpb3]

I'm not sure if you can say for many people but leaving semantics aside, there is still opportunity to look around the cabin as the blinds are up and the doors are open even if you cannot look directly in front or behind you.

If you're going to argue that looking through raised blinds or open doors (vs. relaxing in a lounge) constitutes socializing, then we're definitely into semantics. I, and thankfully also my friends, don't define socializing as such.

(We'll disagree on your definition of 'many', as I've met many people [by my count] who make it a point not to cocoon themselves when they travel.)

[Singapore_Air]

jjpb3, my post was referring to the feeling of a cocoon, not towards your point in socialising. I also don't define socialising as you describe it there so we can more than agree there.

[sqforever]

People! Just watch this and judge for yourself:

http://www.a380.singaporeair.com/index.html

Also, go to www.singaporeair.com and to the new products section under experience to see more. This, is what I call a darn good product.

[jjpb3]

People! Just watch this and judge for yourself:

http://www.a380.singaporeair.com/index.html

Also, go to www.singaporeair.com and to the new products section under experience to see more. This, is what I call a darn good product.

I think the discussion has moved beyond the product per se to:

(1) The value (price-to-benefit ratio)
(2) (Peter11's, DeltaFlyingProf's and Singapore_Air's posts above) The underlying assumptions about premium travel experience, specifically the weighing of personal vs. communal space

Turn the page, dude.

[sqforever]

I think the discussion has moved beyond the product per se to:

(1) The value (price-to-benefit ratio)
(2) (Peter11's, DeltaFlyingProf's and Singapore_Air's posts above) The underlying assumptions about premium travel experience, specifically the weighing of personal vs. communal space

Turn the page, dude.

I'm well aware of the little debate here jjpb3. The thing is I was just discreetly adding my 2 cents, as in saying, I think not having a socialising lounge area is OK. I mean, the product is outstanding, the amenities have been over-hauled, and the service is even more personal. The attention to detail is outstanding, product and service.

[jjpb3]

I'm well aware of the little debate here jjpb3. The thing is I was just discreetly adding my 2 cents, as in saying, I think not having a socialising lounge area is OK. I mean, the product is outstanding, the amenities have been over-hauled, and the service is even more personal. The attention to detail is outstanding, product and service.

Ah I see. But you shouldn't feel the need to be so discreet, IMHO. If your viewpoint is that the socializing lounge isn't a big deal -- for the reasons you cited -- that's a perfectly valid opinion.

(By the way, starting your post with "People!" doesn't get your point across discreetly. )

[sqforever]

i just watched a video on airbusdelivery, and I found out that Chew choon Seng announced the next routes to receive the A380. Of course as we all know, the whalejet will go to Sydney and then London, so it is on the lucrative kangaroo route. But after that, it will be going to Narita (didn't say if continuing to LAX) and SQ1/2 SIN-SFO-HKG. I'm ecstatic, as I have plans to go back to Singapore next year with mileage redemption in J. So yeah, these are the routes being put on in 2008.

[Singapore_Air]

Probably best to put in that award reservation now eh?

[zvezda]

During the speech in the beginning, Mr Chew accidentally said A330 instead of A380. I think..

Chew is probably looking forward to the start of A330-300 deliveries in 2009.

[singaporeairlinesboi]

If you're going to argue that looking through raised blinds or open doors (vs. relaxing in a lounge) constitutes socializing, then we're definitely into semantics. I, and thankfully also my friends, don't define socializing as such.

(We'll disagree on your definition of 'many', as I've met many people [by my count] who make it a point not to cocoon themselves when they travel.)

If people are going to pay that premium fare, i doubt many will ever wana leave that suit to go chat.