A380 - Master Thread

[SQ238]

I am surprised that there is no announcement yet. SQ usually start marketing buzz weeks, if not months, in advance of the inaugural.

I agree TerryK, that is what is making me think it will be SYD that gets a second A380.

Whilst I am hoping it would be MEL I am not holding my breath. I have seen the full loads SQ238 from MEL regularly has, and have friends who report the same, but that is a 773. I can report the same for SQ227 from SIN and that is a 744. I have not known anyone who has travelled on those two flights in the last year who has not reported them at almost full.

I am not sure what SQ237 and SQ228 (the opposite legs to above) carry, but if the above flights are anything to go by I cannot understand SQ not introducing the A380 into a new market in MEL rather than a second to SYD.

I gave up trying to guess SQ's plane management after the last announcement of HKG getting the A380.

SQ238.

[TerryK]

http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/leben/re...story/10296537

http://www.20min.ch/news/kreuz_und_quer/story/22617222

It is actually a single source as the former quotes the latter.

Talking about September start date. Not sure how reliable those websites are.

Is ZRH even ready for A388?

[TerryK]

....Anyway, with delivery of 9V-SKI imminent, there should be an announcement soon.......

I am surprised that there is no announcement yet. SQ usually start marketing buzz weeks, if not months, in advance of the inaugural.

[zvezda]

Someone posted on TOFF that ZRH local newspaper mentioned SQ may cut down 2x daily 77W flights to daily A388. Which mean 2 or 3 77Ws may be freed up for other routes.

Hope zvevda has more reliable news.

I don't have news, but I'll point out that reducing service from 2x daily 777-300ER to 1x daily WhaleJet would probably result in LX restarting service to SIN and the competition, while very good for passengers, would reduce yields for SQ.

I've recently been speculating that SQ might go from 2x daily 777-300ER service to 1x daily WhaleJet plus 1x daily 777-200ER. I don't think it's highly likely because it costs substantially more to operate 1 WhaleJet plus 1 777-200ER than 2 777-300ERs. 12 Suites would replace 16 new F, 60 new J plus 30 SpaceBeds would replace 84 new J, and about 200 more Y seats would be added. I doubt the increase in revenue would cover the increase in cost.

It's quite difficult to guess where SQ could profitably employ additional WhaleJets in the current economic climate. Most of the planned routes not already using WhaleJets cannot support one right now. My best guesses are still MEL and 2nd SYD, though SQ have enough WhaleJets to start either one of those now, however, substitutions would have to be made to pull one from service for more than a few hours.

Anyway, with delivery of 9V-SKI imminent, there should be an announcement soon.

Of course, no one knew the economic crisis was coming but, in retrospect, SQ would have been much better off exercising the 13 777-300ER options rather than the 9 WhaleJets options. I made the argument at the time, not based on premonition but based on risk assessment. For an airline, getting caught in a downturn with aircraft that are too large is disastrous. It seems the decision to not defer deliveries must be based on an expectation of imminent recovery.

If I were running SQ, I would defer the second tranche (as most of the other WhaleJet customers have done), try to accelerate A330 deliveries, and look for opportunities to take early delivery of additional 777-300ERs in case other airlines are canceling or deferring orders.

[TerryK]

Someone posted on TOFF that ZRH local newspaper mentioned SQ may cut down 2x daily 77W flights to daily A388. Which mean 2 or 3 77Ws may be freed up for other routes.

Hope zvevda has more reliable news.

[pilotsnoopy]

SQ321 on 12th June LHR-SIN

Flight delayed due to 'mechanical problem' for about 45mins.

Arrived in SIN and bags were delayed for about 45mins as well, passengers kept waiting...annoucement came loading device of the plane malfunction.

bags still came in order of Priority First Class, Priority Business Class and some Cabin Crew Bags...don't know how long did the rest still have to wait.

[zvezda]

I didn't even think about it earlier, but I realized that A380 Raffles and Suites are not in the same category as the 744 Raffles and First. I have Upper Deck seats for SQ11/12 and SkySuite for SQ219/220 in September. I wonder what would happen to my bookings if they upgauge the 744 to the WhaleJet for those routes before my travel time.

In all likelihood, you would get Suites and/or new Business Class. Good luck. I think you have a good chance for better equipment on at least one fllight.

[sumitsan]

I didn't even think about it earlier, but I realized that A380 Raffles and Suites are not in the same category as the 744 Raffles and First. I have Upper Deck seats for SQ11/12 and SkySuite for SQ219/220 in September. I wonder what would happen to my bookings if they upgauge the 744 to the WhaleJet for those routes before my travel time.

[zvezda]

I see, thanks for your insight.

You're welcome.

I guess that the ultimate gating factor is the delivery of 9V-SKK.

I think the main issue is where the loads and yields will be. With the economic situation in flux, it behooves SQ to leave their plans tentative as long as possible.

Wouldn't that downguage be alienating to existing bookings? I guess if they downguaged 637/638 to 77W it wouldn't be as upsetting to current pax as downguaging to a 744.

I would think only for Suites class. In Business (or presumably Economy), I wouldn't care at all between the 777-300ER and the WhaleJet. If there were two flights 10 minutes apart at the same price, I would choose entirely based on schedule convenience. The WhaleJet's quieter cabin is nice, but it wouldn't be a deciding factor for me. As long as the seats, IFE, food, and service are the same, I don't choose my flights based on aircraft type.

[maxmin]

If both MEL and a 2nd daily SYD are upgauged first and if SQ are willing to downgauge SQ637/SQ638, then SQ will have enough WhaleJets to upgauge SQ11/SQ12 when 9V-SKK is delivered -- which currently looks like January 2010. Of course, those are two large ifs.

I see, thanks for your insight.

I guess that the ulitmate gating factor is the delivery of 9V-SKK.

Wouldn't that downguage be alienating to existing bookings? I guess if they downguaged 637/638 to 77W it wouldn't be as upsetting to current pax as downguaging to a 744.

[zvezda]

Now I understand what you're saying.... may I just ask then, what is the earliest it could happen if your prediction about the Australian routes is correct?

If both MEL and a 2nd daily SYD are upgauged first and if SQ are willing to downgauge SQ637/SQ638, then SQ will have enough WhaleJets to upgauge SQ11/SQ12 when 9V-SKK is delivered -- which currently looks like January 2010. Of course, those are two large ifs.

[maxmin]

Now I understand what you're saying.... may I just ask then, what is the earliest it could happen if your prediction about the Australian routes is correct?

[zvezda]

I thought that you'd predicted SQ11/12 as unlikely to be a contender in the near future... are you changing your tune?

I still think that MEL or a 2nd daily SYD or both are likely to happen first. I would put SIN-NRT-LAX third on my list of likely new routes.

When is the earliest this could possibly happen, would you say? I've slightly lost track of the delivery schedule!

The earliest it could possibly happen would be next month, but that probably would require downgauging SQ637/SQ638.

[maxmin]

I think SIN-NRT-LAX will be among the next WhaleJet routes.

I thought that you'd predicted SQ11/12 as unlikely to be a contender in the near future... are you changing your tune?

When is the earliest this could possibly happen, would you say? I've slightly lost track of the delivery schedule!

[zvezda]

There are super deals for SQ11/12 and for 3 SYD flights going on right now for flights up to November as long as they are bought by June 28. If they get upgauged to WhaleJet sooner, can pax still travel on those cheap tickets?

Almost certainly, yes.