B787-900 Dreamliner SQ Routes?

[Singapore Sling]

Anyone know what routes SQ is planning to use the new Boeing 787-900 on?

[zvezda]

The 787-9s (not 787-900s) will be replacing regional 777-200s not already replaced by the A330-300s. Therefore, the likely 787-9 routes are:

Ahmedabad (SQ530/531)
Bangalore (SQ502/503)
Beijing (SQ800/801, SQ803/810)
Chennai (SQ528/529)
Denpasar-Bali (SQ941/946, SQ943/948, SQ947/942)
Dubai-Cairo-Dubai (SQ492/493)
Hanoi (SQ175/176)
Hong Kong (SQ866/865, SQ870/859, SQ871/872)
Kuala Lumpur (SQ106/107)
Manila (SQ910/917, SQ912/919, SQ916/921, SQ918/915)
Mumbai (SQ421/422)
New Delhi (SQ405/406)
Shanghai (SQ826/827, SQ828/831, SQ832/835)

[Singapore Sling]

If you are right, which you probably are. This is good news for my trip to China next year, if it goes ahead will be able to test out the new plane.

So they drop the zeros, I suppose it makes sense.

[zvezda]

This is good news for my trip to China next year, if it goes ahead will be able to test out the new plane.

The first 787-9s will enter service in 2013.

[Singapore Sling]

The first 787-9s will enter service in 2013.

I thought SQ where going to receive the first 20 in the 1Q 2011 and would be in service later the same year, with the next 20 in 2013. So I`ve got it all wrong again. You always get the best information on SQTalk. Thank you zvezda.

[zvezda]

I thought SQ where going to receive the first 20 in the 1Q 2011 and would be in service later the same year, with the next 20 in 2013. So I`ve got it all wrong again. You always get the best information on SQTalk. Thank you zvezda.

SQ have ordered 20 787-9s and have options for another 20. Similarly, SQ have ordered 20 A350-900s and have options for another 20. I expect that SQ will exercise one but not both sets of options and that the decision will be made after both types are in service.

ANA will get the first 787-8s around the end of this year. The first 787-9s are due to enter service in 2013. I don't remember which airline will be the first 787-9 customer, but I know SQ are near the top of that list and should get their first few in late 2013 or perhaps early 2014.

SQ should be getting their A350-900s at about the same time. It looks like the A330-300s, 787-9s, and A350-900s will replace all the 777s except the 777-300ERs and the newer 777-300s. If the payload/range performance of the A350-900 suffices for LAX/EWR-SIN nonstop, then replacing the A340-500s will be a priority due to the huge difference in operating costs between the two types.

[9V-JKL]

I thought SQ where going to receive the first 20 in the 1Q 2011 and would be in service later the same year, with the next 20 in 2013. So I`ve got it all wrong again. You always get the best information on SQTalk. Thank you zvezda.

Actually you're not exactly wrong. At the time of signing the order in 2006, they were supposed to be delivered in 2011 thru 2013. But we all know what happened to the delivery plan....
http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/...61011b_nr.html

I don't remember which airline will be the first 787-9 customer

NZ

[MSPeconomist]

Other things being equal, of the list above, I would expect SQ to put their first 787s on the more profitable business-oriented routes such as Shanghai, HongKong, and Beijing. Bali might also be early due to the luxury travel representation for that destination. Look also for any hotly contested routes, perhaps those with new or expanded service by a high-quality competitor.

[qantas_flyer]

Is there a possibility that the B787-9's will operate the Singapore to Brisbane route?

[zvezda]

Is there a possibility that the B787-9's will operate the Singapore to Brisbane route?

In my opinion, SIN-BNE is a likely route for the 787-9s.

[qantas_flyer]

In my opinion, SIN-BNE is a likely route for the 787-9s.

I certainly hope so... Thanks Zvezda.

[zvezda]

I certainly hope so... Thanks Zvezda.

Be careful what you wish for. In Business Class, the 787-9 will be nicer than any other aircraft SQ might plausibly fly to BNE, with similar seats to those on the A330-300 and recently reconfigured 777s in 2-2-2 configuration. However, in Economy Class, seating will be 3-3-3, which will make seat width tighter than in the A330-300 or 777, probably matching the tight 17.2" wide seats in the JumboJet. I don't know about pitch. Of course, the 787-9 will have all the advantages that come with the aircraft like better air and bigger windows.

[qantas_flyer]

Be careful what you wish for. In Business Class, the 787-9 will be nicer than any other aircraft SQ might plausibly fly to BNE, with similar seats to those on the A330-300 and recently reconfigured 777s in 2-2-2 configuration. However, in Economy Class, seating will be 3-3-3, which will make seat width tighter than in the A330-300 or 777, probably matching the tight 17.2" wide seats in the JumboJet. I don't know about pitch. Of course, the 787-9 will have all the advantages that come with the aircraft like better air and bigger windows.

Thanks Zvezda. I personally don't mind the 3-3-3 combination, i'm not that big. But would be very excited if the 787-9 came to Brisbane in Singapore colours.

[fuu99]

Be careful what you wish for. In Business Class, the 787-9 will be nicer than any other aircraft SQ might plausibly fly to BNE, with similar seats to those on the A330-300 and recently reconfigured 777s in 2-2-2 configuration. However, in Economy Class, seating will be 3-3-3, which will make seat width tighter than in the A330-300 or 777, probably matching the tight 17.2" wide seats in the JumboJet. I don't know about pitch. Of course, the 787-9 will have all the advantages that come with the aircraft like better air and bigger windows.

I thought this was only an option, along with 2-4-2?

[zvezda]

I thought this was only an option, along with 2-4-2?

Boeing originally pitched the 787 as an 8-abreast airliner, one of many compromises to internally market the 787 as a 767 replacement rather than a 777 replacement -- even though the fuselage cross-section is much nearer to that of the 777 than the 767 and the performance characteristics are also nearer to those of the 777 -- in order to minimize opposition to the 787 program from the 777 program managers. Once the 787 was launched, the engineers then pulled out their designs for greater wingspan, etc. However, no airline has ordered an 8-abreast interior for the 787.

It might be plausible for SQ to someday configure 8-abreast premium Economy in a hypothetical ULH 787-9ER, but not for regional flying.