77W 1st Flights/Delivery Flights Thread

[mr_botak]

Yes, it is normal for the test pilots to test the RAT during a first flight, along with other systems. It is most likely due 2 weeks later, after a paintjob.

Thanks - makes sense, if you need it, you *really* need it to work.

[FlyBoy]

So 8 new 777-300ERs is great

Are they really going to be used for expansion or to replace other aircraft ?

[FSJZ]

So 8 new 777-300ERs is great

Are they really going to be used for expansion or to replace other aircraft ?

Most likely to replace the current 777-300 routes, which will then replace some of the 777-200 routes

[Sethor]

My guess they will be used for SIN-xxx-LAX & SIN-xxx-JFK/EWR routes which will replace existing A345 non stop flights.

[sunnyday]

Rumors of icn-lax?

[9V-JKL]

Rumors of icn-lax?

I doubt it. SQ yields will be hammered on this route.
OZ 2x daily
KE 4x daily (I think)
TG 3x weekly

[MAN Flyer]

My guess they will be used for SIN-xxx-LAX & SIN-xxx-JFK/EWR routes which will replace existing A345 non stop flights.

Mine wouldn't, at least not for the foreseeable future. We asked senior SQ execs at the new products launch last month about replacements for the nonstops and they said they had no plans, mainly due to not having suitable fifth freedoms to make them worthwhile. Of course, this being the airline industry it could change at any point but they seemed pretty certain about it.

[9V-SIA]

I'm hoping MXP & BCN get daily flights again at the same time everyday.

Hard to keep track of current schedule which I'm told is due to lack of 77W

[Airbus SAS A340-500]

Rumors of icn-lax?

Not possible unless SQ decides to re-jig what they are doing with ICN.
All of Singaporean carrier's slots to Korea are fully utilised.

Currently, SQ does ICN with three A333 terminators + one B77W that carries on to SFO. Scoot flies thrice-weekly via TPE. I've heard people say the TPE-ICN sector for Scoot is the money-maker (along with TPE-NRT) so it's unlikely that Scoot relinquishes their three slots for their parent company.

Conversion of one of their A333 terminators to a B77W that carries on to LAX is possible at the expense of two key things. One being a reduction in available SIN-ICN seats (given that there would be LAX-bound pax on that flight) and the likelihood of poor connecting options for travellers ex-ICN heading to SIN. All current inbound flights ex-ICN are able to feed the SQ/MI connecting departure waves out of SIN. A SIN-ICN-LAX flight would mean that SQ's ICN schedules have to be completely re-timed. It would be one unholy mess and I don't think SQ would want to change something that works well for them now.

In addition (and as mentioned above), trans-pac ex-ICN is a bloodbath now.

[Sethor]

Mine wouldn't, at least not for the foreseeable future. We asked senior SQ execs at the new products launch last month about replacements for the nonstops and they said they had no plans, mainly due to not having suitable fifth freedoms to make them worthwhile. Of course, this being the airline industry it could change at any point but they seemed pretty certain about it.

Didn't SQ recently get fifth freedom rights with Italy? so a SIN-MXP-JFK/EWR is possible. SQ previously operated SIN-AMS-EWR but was restricted to 3 or 4 flights pw by Dutch authorities, not sure if they still have those rights.

[SQGamespeed]

Didn't SQ recently get fifth freedom rights with Italy? so a SIN-MXP-JFK/EWR is possible. SQ previously operated SIN-AMS-EWR but was restricted to 3 or 4 flights pw by Dutch authorities, not sure if they still have those rights.

Yes, almost two years ago in fact.

http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11973

And SIN-MXP-JFK has been speculated as a way to offset often low loads for FRA-JFK.

[Jumbojet Lover]

Didn't SQ recently get fifth freedom rights with Italy? so a SIN-MXP-JFK/EWR is possible.

Meanwhile, EK has one-upped SQ and will begin DXB-MXP-JFK flights on 1st October.

[Airbus SAS A340-500]

Might the Swiss allow for SIN-GVA-EWR? I'd expect pretty substantial premium demand between GVA and EWR and there is less competition on that route. Could SQ perhaps even eat off UA's pie?

If SQ does SIN-GVA-EWR with a B77W, perhaps they could also swap SIN-ZRH to a low-J A388 to even out premium demand to Switzerland. I'm pretty sure with LX doing ZRH-SIN it has eaten into SQ's ZRH J class loads.

[SQ228]

I'm just going to throw in this thought I've been having for a week or so...
It's similar to all the other suggestions but capitalises on a brand new airport and a very emerging market that I'm aware has failed in the past but could maybe work as a mid-flight stop:
SIN-BER-EWR

[MAN Flyer]

Didn't SQ recently get fifth freedom rights with Italy? so a SIN-MXP-JFK/EWR is possible. SQ previously operated SIN-AMS-EWR but was restricted to 3 or 4 flights pw by Dutch authorities, not sure if they still have those rights.

As Jumbojet Lover points out, EK beat them to that. Although speaking to those SQ Exex's at the recent product launch I don't think they had much intention of starting the route any time soon.

As for SIN-AME-EWR, yes SQ did previously operate the route, when oil was about US$20-30 a barrel. What is it now ?. People seem to magically forget that one of the major costs of operating an aircraft is currently four or five times what it was before.

Might the Swiss allow for SIN-GVA-EWR? I'd expect pretty substantial premium demand between GVA and EWR and there is less competition on that route. Could SQ perhaps even eat off UA's pie?

First of all I am not sure the Swiss would allow it, but even if they did is it even worth it ?. LX operate GVA-JFK and surely it EWR was a better bet they would be already operating it. Even if there was substantial demand between GVA and EWR, what about the longest sector : SIN-GVA ?. I don't think there is.

You need to start remembering the cost of fuel these days and also that the market isn't what it used to be post 2008. Many companies used the downturn to downgrade what cabin staff could travel in, and many have stayed there since.