SQ 747's and their historical routes

[sumitsan]

I've never flown on SQ from LHR-SIN. The closest was when SQ had the LHR-DXB-CMB-SIN sector way, way, way back with the 747-200, I flew SQ from LHR-CMB. I remember when SQ first received the Megatop (I believe they were the second airline after Northwest to get them), SQ Megatop's maiden voyage was the infamous non-stop from SIN-LHR in 1989, which was a big thing back then, bringing non-stop flights, as the 747-200s and -300s always stopped in DXB or another middle eastern counrty for the necessary fuel stop.

Even though it is a long shot, I think it is only fitting to have the last Megatop flight as the non-stop from SIN-LHR as a farewell tour, so that the 744's journey can end the same way it began. I'm sure it'll sell if they marketed this right, as there are plenty of us that will miss the Megatops. Oh well, we can only hope I guess.

[SQflyergirl]

-300s always stopped in DXB or another middle eastern counrty for the necessary fuel stop.

-300's stopped only on the way out to LHR. They came back to SIN nonstop.

[sumitsan]

-300's stopped only on the way out to LHR. They came back to SIN nonstop.

Yeah I'm startin' to remember that now. I think even FRA was that way too in '87.

[flyguy]

yes the then 743 "Big Top" requires a stop on its way to LHR due to stronger winds - but can make LHR-SIN non-stop but with reduced cargo load.

[kt74]

-300's stopped only on the way out to LHR. They came back to SIN nonstop.

That was a later development (1986?). For the first year or two, the -300s stopped in AUH or DXB on the way to SIN... I remember. It was painful.

[s7r0ng3r]

I think it is only fitting to have the last Megatop flight as the non-stop from SIN-LHR as a farewell tour, so that the 744's journey can end the same way it began. I'm sure it'll sell if they marketed this right, as there are plenty of us that will miss the Megatops. Oh well, we can only hope I guess.

Aye, I can agree with you on that. But I'd extend the farewell tour to SYD as well.

[9V-SIA]

That was a later development (1986?). For the first year or two, the -300s stopped in AUH or DXB on the way to SIN... I remember. It was painful.

Painful is pre 747 days.

MSA/SIA 707-320B SIN-LHR.

Four stops to LHR!

[zhiw3n]

FOUR. That's.. -_-" Gee. How long did that take? And I reckon those 707s' cruising speed were lower than that of the 747s?

[s7r0ng3r]

Painful is pre 747 days.

MSA/SIA 707-320B SIN-LHR.

Four stops to LHR!

4?? Where did they stop?

[9V-SIA]

Depended on day of the week.

As SIA got more planes ( started with 5 x 737-100s and 5 x 707-320s from MSA; MH inherited the F27s ) , the number of stops gradually decreased from 4 to 2 or 3.

1 stop in Asia ( BKK, CMB or BOM ), BAH, 2 stops in Europe ( ATH, FCO, ZRH, FRA or AMS ). Last MSA time table ....

http://airlineroute.blogspot.com/200...-schedule.html

And SQ time table circa 1973/74....

http://airlineroute.blogspot.com/200...a-network.html

During this period, I tended to fly QF / BA as it was 1 or 2 stops.

For BA and QF, BAH was where eastbound and westbound flights used to meet at 2am to 3am BAH time.

Met a lot of friends in transit there!

[s7r0ng3r]

Met a lot of friends in transit there!

Allow me a moment to pick up my jaw

Wow! Flying must have been an amazing adventure back then! Its too bad SQ doesn't operate flights like that anymore. CX does though. Certain flights to Dubai are routed via Bangkok and Mumbai.

Back to the topic at hand, does anyone else think SQ will cut back on its A380 order?

[philipat]

Early 747 days

Wow!!.When I started the Europe/Asia longhauls in 1974, the 747 was already operating. But even then, there were usually 3 stops to LHR. Typically, KUL or BKK then BAH then FRA or another European stop. Yes it was tiresome but in those days aircraft were more often than not half full at best.

[sumitsan]

The one I remember was 2 stops, but then again, I wasn't born until 1977. This was the LHR-DXB-CMB-SIN. But I only went up to CMB. I believe the BA 747 had one extra stop between LHR and CMB, and that was BAH, but can't remember. I'm not sure if SQ 742's maiden voyage was also LHR, but I know the Big Top 743's maiden one was, since it was publicly advertised in the papers, and same with the Megatop 744. So not having and SQ pax 747 in LHR is definitely an end of an era. Actually not having a pax 747 in SQ fleet is also definitely an end of an era. I can't think of a time that SQ never had a 747.

[HUGE AL]

DANKE for breaking this one out!

[SQ218]

Wow!!.When I started the Europe/Asia longhauls in 1974, the 747 was already operating. But even then, there were usually 3 stops to LHR. Typically, KUL or BKK then BAH then FRA or another European stop. Yes it was tiresome but in those days aircraft were more often than not half full at best.

The other european stop would be Amsterdam. Remember it being a long tiring flight with stops at Bahrain then Frankfurt before arriving to London. Those days there was no business class and the upper deck is like a lounge room with huge chairs and sofas.