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  • A380 - Master Thread

    Hi guys,
    a private source sent me a very interesting compendium about most common Questions & Answers regarding A380.

    We had been discussing the A380 in these earlier threads:

    Here is the official information:

    QUICK LINKS:
    Code:
    [B][URL="http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37833&postcount=2"]1    Facts and Figures[/URL]
    
    [URL="http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37834&postcount=3"]2    A380 Frequently Asked Questions[/URL]
    
    [URL="http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37835&postcount=4"]3    Commercial[/URL]
    
    [URL="http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37836&postcount=5"]4.1    Cabin/Products[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37838&postcount=6"]4.2    General Questions on Cabin Interior[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37839&postcount=7"]4.3    Suites[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37840&postcount=8"]4.4    General Products[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37841&postcount=9"]4.5    Inflight Services[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37843&postcount=10"]4.6    Inflight Entertainment[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37844&postcount=11"]4.7    Inflight Connectivity[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37844&postcount=11"]4.8    Inflight Telephony    [/URL]
    
    [URL="http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37845&postcount=12"]5.1    Crew - Techinical Crew[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37846&postcount=13"]5.2     Crew - Pilot Trainig[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37847&postcount=14"]5.3     Crew - Cabin Crew[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37848&postcount=15"]
    6    Engineering/Maintenance[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.sqtalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=37850&postcount=16"]
    7    Airport Readiness/Ground Operations[/URL][/B]
    Last edited by MovieMan; 1 December 2007, 02:36 AM.
    There's only One way to fly.... SINGAPORE AIRLINES!
    If SQ is too expensive, the other way to fly is Qatar Airways

  • #2
    Cap. 1 FACTS AND FIGURES

    a) Aircraft Order
    Singapore Airlines has 19 A380s on firm order. The order was first announced in September 2000 for 10 firm aircraft followed by another 9, announced in July 2006. The Airline has options on a further 6 A380s.

    b) Significant Dates
    First aircraft delivery: 15 October 2007
    Arrival in Singapore: 17 October 2007
    First Commercial Flight from Singapore to Sydney: 25 October 2007
    First Scheduled Flight Singapore to Sydney: 28 October 2007

    * Singapore Airlines will be the exclusive operator of the Airbus A380 aircraft for approximately 6 months, receiving the first four units to be delivered by Airbus (Oct 07, Jan 08, Feb 08 and Apr 08).

    b) Aircraft Configuration

    The Singapore Airlines A380 is configured in 3 classes and has a total of 471 seats: 12 Singapore Airlines Suites (on the main deck), 60 Business Class (on the upper deck) and 399 Economy Class seats (on both decks).

    This is significantly less than the standard 3-class, 525-seat configuration that the Airbus A380 is designed for.

    c) Aircraft Range

    The Singapore Airlines’ A380 has a range will be about 7,100 nm on full passenger payload, which is further than Singapore-London and Hong Kong-San Francisco: the longest Boeing 747-400 routes now.

    d) First Destinations

    The aircraft will be deployed on one of the three daily services betweeb Singapore and Sydney from 28 October 2007 (SQ221 / 220). Upon taking delivery of the second and third A380s in January and February respectively, the Airline will deploy the aircraft on one of the three Singapore – London routes.

    e) Aircraft Dimensions
    Code:
        A380-800    B747-400    B777-300
    Length    72.7m    70.7m    73.9m
    Wingspan79.8m    64.5m    60.9m
    Height    24.1m    19.3m    18.5m
                
    Landing Gear Track    14.3m    12.6m    12.9m
    Landing Gear Base    28.6m    24.1m    31.2m
    There's only One way to fly.... SINGAPORE AIRLINES!
    If SQ is too expensive, the other way to fly is Qatar Airways

    Comment


    • #3
      Cap. 2 A380 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

      a) We understand SIA is facing a short term capacity crunch because of the delays to the A380 delivery. How is Singapore Airlines coping with the problem?
      The delays have limited our short term capacity growth, but we are working hard to mitigate the situation.

      New capacity has been injected to the Singapore Airlines fleet, with 10 of the 19 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft that we have on order joining the fleet.

      The delays to the A380s are something that we've had to factor into our planning. As they'll primarily be used to replace B747-400s on existing routes, we'll have to keep those aircraft in service for a while longer

      b) One question in the minds of people is safety after its numerous delays. How do you see that affecting customers’ receptivity towards the aircraft?

      To us that is not an issue. That is because the delays are due to problems with production rather than problems with the aircraft.

      In fact, from the enthusiastic response to the Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 Charity Auction on eBay, we can see that people all over the world are very eager to fly on the aircraft.

      With regards to airworthiness, the Airbus A380 has successfully received joint European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certification on 12th December 2006. The certified aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, the engines that will power the Singapore Airline’s first 10 aircraft. Throughout its flight tests and certification programme, the Airbus A380 aircraft has consistently demonstrated its reliability and superior performance. In all, it has accumulated more than 2600 hours of flight in more than 800 flights in its lead up to certification.

      c) What are the costs to Singapore Airlines because of the delays and how will these costs be recovered? Will it be passed on to customers?

      There are certainly opportunity costs incurred in terms of the capacity crunch that we are currently facing as a result of the delay in delivery. However, it has been mitigated to a certain extent by the introduction of the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft into the fleet.

      Fare pricing is determined very much by the market. We will continue to price our products to reflect the quality of the products and services that we offer, within the range customers are willing to pay for a premium travel experience.

      d) Understand you will be seeking compensation again as a result of this latest round of delays. Could you shed some light on it?
      Pursuant to the Agreement between Airbus and Singapore Airlines, compensation has been agreed. However, terms of the agreement remain confidential between the parties.

      e) Why did you decide to order the A380?

      Improved Operating Economics

      The A380 is the first brand new “clean-paper” aircraft design in a long time. It incorporates a lot of lessons that have been learnt and developed over the years in aircraft design, thus offering improved economics that is critical for meeting the challenges of today’s operating environment.

      The seating capacity of the SIA A380 is 25 per cent more than the largest aircraft currently in the SIA fleet. It has the widest aircraft fuselage (7.14 metres) in the industry, thus giving us the ability to configure the plane to provide greater comfort and space.

      We believe we can operate these aircraft profitably and with good load factors. The superior operating economics made possible by new technology mean lower costs per seat, giving us a competitive edge.

      Fleet Renewal and Capacity Growth


      The Airline’s investment in the A380 is in keeping with its policy of maintaining a young and modern fleet of aircraft and the A380 is key to Singapore Airlines’ overall capacity growth and fleet renewal strategy.

      The A380 will be easier to maintain, have improved fuel efficiency and higher operational reliability, resulting in higher aircraft utilization and less ground time, and thus improving the operating economics of the aircraft.

      The A380 will enter our fleet at a time when some of our older B747-400 aircraft are being phased out of the fleet, thus acting as a natural replacement for these aircraft. The Singapore Airlines A380 has been designed to seat less than 480 passengers in a three-class configuration, approximately 100 seats more than what is currently available on the SIA B747-400s. This means that while there will be capacity growth, it will be incremental and sustainable for the Airline.

      Airport Slot Constraints

      With its large capacity and long flying range, the A380 is ideal for high-density long haul routes where airport gate and slot congestion make it difficult for us to add more services using smaller-capacity aircraft.

      Larger Cabin / Innovation

      The larger cabin provides ample opportunity for product innovation and we have already provided customers with a sense of what is to come.

      The Business and Economy Class cabin products on the A380 are modelled on those launched in late 2006 and currently featuring on the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, to global acclaim. The new Singapore Airlines Suites will be unveiled at the delivery of the A380 in October, and will feature the ultimate inflight luxury, in a class beyond First.

      It is very important for Singapore Airlines to remain the pioneer in adopting the latest aircraft technology and to continue to set benchmarks for the industry in terms of our cabin products and service.

      Industry Leadership

      The A380 is the biggest commercial airline ever built and it has immense public appeal. Being the first to operate it underlines SIA’s position of leadership and innovation in the premium service sector. Its characteristics and improved features will reinforce our market position as the airline that offers a differentiated air travel experience.

      f) How did SIA become the launch customer?

      SIA is the first airline in the world to take delivery of the Airbus A380. And with work that has already started way back in the year 2000; we will be the first Airline in the world to roll in this new era of air travel with our totally new suite of products and services.
      There's only One way to fly.... SINGAPORE AIRLINES!
      If SQ is too expensive, the other way to fly is Qatar Airways

      Comment


      • #4
        Cap. 3 COMMERCIAL

        a) Since the unit cost of operating the A380 is expected to be lower, can customers expect a decrease in fares and if so, by how much?
        Operating cost savings have to be viewed across the fleet and not just from a single aircraft type. Fares are a function of the market, and SIA is committed to being competitive on all our routes. Operating efficiencies generated by the use of new aircraft allow us to stay at the forefront of a competitive market.

        Also as airlines benefit from greater operating efficiencies with advances in technology, these same factors have been responsible for keeping airfares static over the decades relative to movement in incomes.

        Useful Information:
        According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, US Census Bureau, Bureau of Transport Statistics, the airfare for a 2500 mile journey has risen just 61% from US$415 in 1930 to US$670 in 2000 as compared to annual wages that has increased 2600% during the same period from US$1972 to US$53,274.

        b) How does SIA see the competitive market of the airline business recently? What is the A380’s role in strengthening its positioning in the competitive market?
        As the launch customer of the A380, Singapore Airlines will yet again set a mark in terms of the pioneering of one of the latest in aircraft technology and to continue to set benchmarks for the industry in terms of our cabin products and service.

        To stay ahead in this competitive landscape, we also constantly strive to deliver the highest level of service possible to our customers, both on the ground and in the air. In addition, we keep our cost low and productivity up.
        There's only One way to fly.... SINGAPORE AIRLINES!
        If SQ is too expensive, the other way to fly is Qatar Airways

        Comment


        • #5
          Cap. 4.1 CABIN/ PRODUCTS

          a) Will there be just one model of the Singapore Airlines A380 or will there be other versions with different number of seats / layout / facilities etc?
          The Singapore Airlines A380 is a 471-seat aircraft configured in three classes: 12 Singapore Airlines Suites (on the main deck), 60 Business Class (on the upper deck) and 399 Economy Class seats (on both decks).

          b) What can the customer expect?
          As the launch customer for this very large aircraft, we will set new standards of premium air travel. The A380’s larger cabin offers many intriguing opportunities to improve on what we already offer our passengers.

          There are three classes on the A380 – Suites, Business and Economy. The new Singapore Airlines Suites will feature the ultimate inflight luxury, in a class beyond First. The Business and Economy Class cabin products onboard the A380 are improved versions of the ones unveiled recently by the Airline in late 2006.

          c) Many have expressed apprehension over the A380 because they expect a worse travelling experience because of the increased number of passengers they have to travel with. So why should people travel on the SIA A380?
          In considering innovative ideas for the A380, we listened to our customers. The key was to have customer involvement throughout the process. This started in 2002. Customers have been involved in every step of the process from the initial conceptualisation and the review of design ideas to the testing and evaluation of the prototypes through workshops, focus groups and surveys. Staff from all over SIA also participated in the process.

          Below is some background information that could be used as a discussion topic on our research and development process.

          Project BigStep (launched 2002)


          This comprised several components including:

          i) Trend research - This consisted of desk research and interviews with trend specialists

          ii) Crew Workshops - Workshops were conducted with cabin crew and cabin crew development executives to gain feedback on what new features they would like to see incorporated in the design of the new aircraft in relation to passengers’ and crew’s needs and desires.

          iii) Customer Workshops - In August and September 2002, a series of customer workshops were conducted in Singapore, London and New York where frequent flyers were asked to imagine air travel in five to ten years and tell us what changes/services they would want to see.

          A total of 100 frequent flyers, familiar with all classes of travel, were hot housed for two days along with 50 SIA staff from various departments (Product Innovation, Cabin Crew, In-flight Service, etc). Together, they designed, created and built their ideal aircraft cabin to scale.

          The customers were not constrained in generating ideas, unlike airline professionals who have been conditioned to believe that certain things can and cannot be done. At the same time, the airline professionals were able to comment on the economic viability and practicality of the ideas dreamt up by the frequent fliers.

          The input from the groups of customers and airline professionals were then collected and used to map out the over-arching philosophy for our interior cabin design, cabin amenities, and ground and in-flight service procedures.

          The ideas generated in the workshops were presented to a group of designers, from fashion houses to luxury car designers and aircraft cabin specialists, to translate into an actual cabin design.

          iv) Task Force Workshops: The A380 Task Force simultaneously carried out workshops to define target areas of interest and to refine the results of the customer and crew workshops.

          v) Customer Panels: After putting together all the information and consulting with the designers, customers were invited to review the preliminary design concepts.


          Economy Class Seat Tests (April 2004)

          i) Customer preview: Over two days in April 2004, some 150 passengers who were in transit in Singapore were invited to preview four economy class seat types that were short-listed for the A380. The trial seats were fitted into a B747 aircraft parked at one of the gates.

          Separate focus group sessions were conducted with selected frequent flyers the same evening, to gather more in-depth feedback from our passengers.

          ii) Seat Features: Following this, in July 2004, staff from various divisions in SIA participated in a survey to determine the demand and preferred location for various seat features and to determine if there were any operational issues with the location of the features.

          iii) Seat Cushions: Passengers and staff were also involved in selecting the cushion for the economy class seats. First, staff were invited to shortlist three cushions from the various prototypes supplied by different vendors. Transit passengers were then invited to rank the three shortlisted cushions, in order of overall preference. The most preferred seat was then evaluated by the A380 Task Force to ensure that all its components met the mark.

          iv) Cushion/ Mattress Testing for First and Business Class (October 2004):
          • The cushion/ mattress trials were conducted over two weeks in October.
          • Both staff and passengers were invited to rank the cushion/mattress prototypes based on firmness and comfort, and relative to the current product offerings on-board the aircraft.
          • About 300 PPS members, First and Business Class passengers and 150 staff participated in this trial.

          v) First and Business Class Cabin Concept Review
          • Up to six focus group discussions were conducted with key PPS members in November 2004 to review the cabin and seat concepts for First and Business Class in terms of appeal, usability and comfort.
          e) Can you share some details on the time, effort, manpower and costs that went into the designing of the cabin?
          The cabin development programme began with a series of customer research activities that started in 2002. A series of customer workshops were conducted in Singapore, London and New York where frequent flyers were asked to conceptualise what air travel would be like in 5 to 10 years time. The ideas generated in the workshops were then presented to a group of designers, from fashion houses to luxury car designers and aircraft cabin specialists, to translate into an actual cabin design.

          Workshops with members of the Airlines’ cabin crew were also conducted to gain feedback on what new features they would like to see incorporated in the design of the new aircraft in relation to passengers’ and crew’s needs and desires. Staff from the Airlines’ various divisions also worked together to ensure that operational requirements and experiences were also considered in the product design.

          Actual work on the cabin product started in early 2004. Together with our suppliers and designers, mock-up and working prototypes of our cabin products were built at different stages of the programme to provide better visualization of the features, functions and aesthetics to ensure the final product meets our design intent.

          Customers and staff members were also involved in the development of the onboard cabin environment such as selecting the cushion for all the three classes. Both staff and passengers were invited to rank the cushion/mattress prototypes based on firmness and comfort, and relative to the current product offerings on-board the aircraft.

          In addition, up to six focus group discussions were conducted with key PPS members in November 2004 to review the cabin and seat concepts for First and Business Class in terms of appeal, usability and comfort.
          There's only One way to fly.... SINGAPORE AIRLINES!
          If SQ is too expensive, the other way to fly is Qatar Airways

          Comment


          • #6
            Cap. 4.2 General Questions on Cabin Interior

            a) How did you arrive at the seat configuration?
            Singapore Airlines had begun work on the cabin interior of the new A380 more than 5 years ago. Aiming to provide our customers with the best travel experience, we started the development of the cabin interior by asking our frequent flyers what they would like to see on the new aircraft through a series of customer surveys, feedback and workshops. In addition to the conceptualisation stage, customers’ views were also sought in various stages from prototype testing to the selection of cushions.

            With customers’ comments in mind, our team have gone through numerous design options before finally arriving at the seat configuration and cabin interior we have now.

            As a trendsetter and industry leader, our luxurious A380 cabin interior is also a reflection of Singapore Airlines’ philosophy of product innovation and our relentless pursuit of excellence.

            b) There has been much talk over the years about the A380 having bars, showers and other new facilities. SIA certainly had other ideas. What are the reasons behind this design?

            c) The A380 captured international imagination, with people envisaging vast amounts of space in an aircraft, and never-before-seen facilities such as showers, bowling alleys, swimming pools etc. Are you not concerned that you are letting people down?

            While the generous floor space of the A380 gave us many intriguing design options, we’ve developed our A380 cabin interior with the comments and feedback of our customers and frequent flyers in mind.

            Though having bars, showers and other such facilities in the aircraft sounds interesting, from our customers surveys and feedback sessions, we found that what customers really want during a flight is more personal space, comfort and privacy. We chose to give the space to customers, especially in the premium cabins, instead of locking it away in gimmicks that may only be briefly used by some customers on a flight.

            We’ve developed the A380 cabin interior with customer involvement at every stage, from conceptualisation to prototype testing, so the cabin interior strongly reflects the views we gathered from our customers, while bearing the hallmark of SIA’s brand of luxury and product leadership. With only 471 seats in an aircraft that is designed to fit 555 passengers, we are certain that customers will experience an unprecedented level of space and comfort like never before.

            d) Is Singapore Airlines, concerned that as the launch customer for the A380, other airlines may replicate your design and as a result, you lose your edge?

            It seems inevitable other airlines might incorporate certain elements of our designs into their products. As an industry leader, we do not rest on our laurels after the introduction of our new products, we move forward by continuing to seek comments and feedback from our customers to improve on our products and services to stay ahead of the game.

            e) SIA used to be the clear front-runner in terms of inflight service and product offerings but the lead is not so clear now. How does SIA intend to remedy the situation?
            The numerous awards that we have received recently attest to the fact that Singapore Airlines is still the industry leader in terms of product and service offerings.

            We are committed to constantly innovating and improving our product and service offerings to provide our customers with the very best premium air travel experience even in the face of recent challenges faced by the airline industry. We continue to listen to our customers and involve them in our product development processes to ensure that the new products and services exceed customer expectations.
            There's only One way to fly.... SINGAPORE AIRLINES!
            If SQ is too expensive, the other way to fly is Qatar Airways

            Comment


            • #7
              Cap. 4.3 SUITES

              SUITES
              Designer: Jean-Jacques Coste of Coste Design
              Manufacturer: Jamco Corporation of Japan and Sicma Aero Seat of France



              a) How did SIA come up with the idea for the Suites in the first place?

              The concept of the Suites is developed with our most distinguished and discerning customers in mind. Our goal is to provide customers with an exquisite travel experience that is second to none, with unprecedented level of personal space, privacy and luxury. With the Suites, our premium customers are assured of the most superior products in the industry and the best service standard, rendered by our cabin crew.

              b) Is the new Suites a new “class” or is it an improvement to “First”?
              The Singapore Airlines Suites is a class above and beyond the sophistication and luxury of First Class.

              Each Suite is the customer’s personal and private sanctuary in the sky. Featuring a Poltrona Frau upholstered leather seat and a separate full-sized flat bed in each private cabin, the Singapore Airlines Suites is a product beyond First and the first of its kind in the world.

              Also, with the brand new product offerings, we’ve developed new service concepts to be delivered by our award-winning cabin crew. Customers in the Suites cabin can expect service to be even more personalised, attentive and discrete.

              c) The new Suites is a significant departure from the traditional premium class configuration. What is the reason for offering such a high-end product?
              From the results of our customer surveys, feedback sessions and workshops, we believe that there is a demand for this new cabin class in the market and this would be the future of premium air travel. The Suites product is created to cater to the most discerning and distinguished group of our premium customers.

              d) How does Suites compare to Emirates’ First Class that adopts a similar concept?
              The Singapore Airlines Suites is in a league of its own in terms of sophistication, class and luxury. Each Suite is the customer’s personal and private sanctuary in the sky. Featuring a Poltrona Frau upholstered leather seat and a separate full sized bed for maximum comfort, instead of a seat-bed like some of our competitors, the Suite is the first of its kind in the world.

              Also, with the introduction of the new products, we have introduced new and enhanced service concepts, delivered with finesse by our cabin crew. The experience of the luxurious new products, coupled with exceptional services from our award-winning cabin crew, will make flying in Singapore Airlines Suites an exquisite experience second to none.

              e) Can and will the Suites concept be replicated on other aircraft types? Will you be retrofitting your existing aircraft with Suites?

              The Singapore Airlines Suites is exclusively available on our new A380.

              f) There are now a total of 5 different “classes” – Suites, First, Business, Executive Economy and Economy. How will consumers, know which product they are buying each time they fly?

              When booking a flight online, customers will be notified of the aircraft type they would be travelling on. Information on our entire range of products is available on singaporeair.com. In addition, our customer service officers will be happy to provide customers with information.

              g) Who are the designers and manufacturers of your new Suites product?

              The Suites are designed by leading yacht designer Jean-Jacques Coste of Coste Design and manufactured by Jamco Corporation of Japan and Sicma Aero Seat of France.

              h) What is the cost of introducing Suites?

              i) What is the cost of one Suite?

              We can reveal that we have certainly invested much time and resources into the development of the Suites, however, the actual cost of the development and building of the Suites is confidential.

              The cost of developing products and installing on the new B777-300ER and first 10 A380s in the fleet is around US$360m.
              There's only One way to fly.... SINGAPORE AIRLINES!
              If SQ is too expensive, the other way to fly is Qatar Airways

              Comment


              • #8
                Cap. 4.4 General Product

                a) Are you planning to retrofit your other aircraft in the fleet with your new products?
                Currently, slightly different versions of the Business and Economy Class products can also be found on our B777-300ER but the Suites are exclusive to the A380.

                b) When did you start work on these new products, particularly the Suites?
                We started work on the products more than 5 years ago, gathering ideas and feedback from our customers and frequent flyers through workshops and brainstorming sessions.

                c) In terms of cabin product development, what are your plans for keeping ahead in this competitive environment?
                Singapore Airlines’ strength lies in its strong philosophy of product innovation and relentless pursuit of excellence. We are not stopping here with the introduction of the new products, we will continue to seek comments and feedback from our customers to improve and provide better products and services on board.

                d) How so you analyse the effectiveness of new products and enhancements and how much of these feedback is reflected in your new products?
                We gather feedback and comments on our new products through customer surveys and feedback sessions. We value customers’ feedback tremendously and whenever possible, will incorporate their comments in our efforts to enhance products and better services.

                e) It has been a year since you introduced your new cabin products, how has the response been so far?
                The response has been positive and very encouraging. Indeed, the new Business Class product has received much acclaim, being awarded Skytrax’s Best Business Class soon after its began operating.

                f) Are the new products patented?

                We have made patent applications to protect our intellectual property rights.
                There's only One way to fly.... SINGAPORE AIRLINES!
                If SQ is too expensive, the other way to fly is Qatar Airways

                Comment


                • #9
                  Cap. 4.5 Inflight Services

                  a) Could you give a brief description of the serviceware and amenities available on the A380?
                  All the dining ware on board the A380 is specially designed by French fashion house Givenchy for Singapore Airlines. So are the bedding items and soft furnishings like cushions and duvets.

                  We have developed a brand new exclusive Ferragamo amenities kit for the A380 Suites customers, featuring the latest fragrance, F by Salvatore Ferragamo.


                  b) What new inflight service features can customers expect in the SIA A380?

                  Service concepts on the A380 have been enhanced to provide customers with the best possible level of service on board.

                  The Singapore Airlines Suites customers can expect more personalised, discrete and attentive service than before, while Business Class customers can expect more elegant, restaurant-style dining on board as meals will be plated on exclusive Givenchy-designed service ware, complemented by wines and spirits served in full sized glassware.

                  c) Are you using any new equipment for food preparation in the A380?
                  The equipment for food preparation will be the same as those found on our B777-300ER, which was launched just last October.

                  d) Will the A380 feature food that is unique?
                  Menus for all three classes on the A380 are specially created by top chefs like Sam Leong from Singapore and Matt Moran from Australia, both members of the Airline’s International Culinary Panel, while wines and spirits are selected by world-renowned wine experts, namely Karen MacNeil from the United States, Steven Spurrier from the United Kingdom and Michael Hill-Smith from Australia.

                  The gourmet experience is further enhanced by the use of exclusive Givenchy-designed service ware, silver and glassware.

                  e) Will food that’s being served onboard the A380 be prepared differently from that prepared for other aircraft, since the cabin air in A380 is less dry and this would alter the way food tastes as compared to conventional aircraft.
                  Designing inflight menus is a challenging task, even for the top chefs in our International Culinary Panel, as they have to take into account the various constraints on board, such as the method of food preparation, the cabin atmosphere and the effect altitude has on the palate.

                  We take the same care and effort in preparing the menus for A380 as we do for the other aircraft on our fleet. To ensure that food tastes as good on board as it does on the ground, we test all our inflight meals in a pressurised chamber, the first and only of its kind in world that simulates cabin atmosphere, in our inflight kitchens. With the masterful touch of the chefs on our culinary panel and rigorous taste-tests, customers can be assured that they are getting the best gourmet treats on board.
                  There's only One way to fly.... SINGAPORE AIRLINES!
                  If SQ is too expensive, the other way to fly is Qatar Airways

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Cap. 4.6 Inflight Entertainment

                    eX2

                    a) What inflight entertainment system will be fitted on the SIA A380?
                    Panasonic's eX2 is fitted on the A380. This is essentially the same advanced system which can be also found on our B777-300ER.

                    b) What is the difference between the eX2 and the ones in your current fleet?
                    The new system is the newest generation of technology. It is more advanced, user-friendly and interactive. It allows us to load more content onto the system, hence customers will a wider selection of movies, TV shows, music, games, travel and learning applications to choose from.

                    Singapore Airlines is the only airline to offer 3D games and office productivity software on eX2.

                    c) Are there any differences between the eX2 in the A380 and in the B777-300ER?
                    The system installed on the A380 is essentially the same as that on the B777-300ER but we are looking to enhance the system with additional features in the future.

                    d) Will you be installing the eX2 on the rest of your fleet?
                    eX2 will be available on all of our new aircraft. As for the rest of the fleet, we are exploring the possibility of installation but there are no firm plans at the moment.

                    e) Many airlines are already using the eX2 and/or have announced their orders. What then is the differentiating factor between SIA and other airlines in terms of IFE?
                    Singapore Airlines’ inflight entertainment system, KrisWorld is a unique system that not only offers customers a wide range of movies, TV shows, CD and games, but it also gives them a choice to learn and do their work using the applications found on the system.

                    Singapore Airlines is the first airline to offer 3D games and the only airline in the world to provide a comprehensive suite of office productivity software on the inflight entertainment system. In addition to movies, TV programmes, games and CDs, customers can select from a wide variety of interactive learning applications such as the Zagat Survey, a guide to restaurants and hotels in selected destinations, Take a Flight, an interactive program with facts and trivia about aviation, Berlitz® Word Traveller language learning software, Health Notes, Executive book summaries and City Guide by Rough Guides.

                    f) How is the response to the eX2 that you have installed on the B777-300ER? Have all the teething problems been resolved?
                    Response has been very positive. We have gotten feedback that the new KrisWorld is intuitive, user-friendly and offers an excellent choice of entertainment, travel and learning options.

                    Most teething problems have been resolved and we are continuing our efforts to improve it further.
                    There's only One way to fly.... SINGAPORE AIRLINES!
                    If SQ is too expensive, the other way to fly is Qatar Airways

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Cap. 4.7 & 4.8 Inflight Connectivity - Inflight Telephony

                      Inflight Connectivity

                      a) Are there any Internet connectivity capabilities onboard any of your aircraft?
                      No, not at the moment.

                      b) Are there plans to reintroduce inflight connectivity onboard your flight?
                      We recognise that there is demand for inflight connectivity and we are keen to reintroduce connectivity to replace the now-closed Connexion By Boeing. We are exploring possible solutions and technologies that is currently available but there are no firm plans at the moment. Two concerns we have are to ensure technological capability (ie that the technology will not be quickly superceded) and that it provides a cost-effective solution for our business and our customers.

                      c) Airbus has announced that the A380 aircraft is capable of providing Internet capability? Why didn’t SIA opt for it?
                      We are currently exploring the possibility but there are no firm plans at the moment.

                      d) Do you think this would put you at a disadvantage especially with business travellers?

                      See answer (b)


                      Inflight Telephony


                      a) Can passengers make cell phone calls onboard your aircraft?
                      No, not at the moment.

                      b) Now that the technology is available, are there plans to introduce this?
                      We are exploring the possibilities but there are no firm plans at the moment.

                      c) What is stopping you from making this service available?

                      This is a matter still under study and a decision has yet to be made.

                      We will decide on whether or not to introduce such a service onboard based on the needs and preferences of our customers, as well as the social implications and regulatory requirements.

                      d) Do you think this would put you at a disadvantage especially with business travellers?
                      See answer (c).
                      There's only One way to fly.... SINGAPORE AIRLINES!
                      If SQ is too expensive, the other way to fly is Qatar Airways

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Cap. 5.1 CREW - Technical Crew

                        a) How many pilots does it take to operate the A380-800 on a typical long-haul flight (eg Singapore to Sydney or Singapore to London)?
                        It would require a standard crew of one captain and one first officer to operate a normal flight e.g. SIN-SYD vv.

                        For long haul flights such as the Singapore-London service, as with the other aircraft on our fleet, it would require one or two more pilots up to a maximum number of 2 Captains and 2 First Officers to operate the A380. Crewing will be the same as a B747-400, and will be subject to regulatory directions as is the case with all aircraft type.

                        b) Will Airbus pilots be supervising the flights in the early months of your A380 operations?

                        Yes. They will be on board as technical advisors for the initial period of operations.

                        c) The A380 has been cited as one of the most technologically advanced aircraft so far. What are some of these new features?

                        The A380 currently features the highest level of electronic documents, checklists and flight plans. It is equipped with digital weather radar model for accurate analysis, vertical displays of weather and terrain in addition to horizontal displays, and back-up speed indication in case of failure of main speed indications, among others.

                        d) Do the pilots require special/additional training to operate the A380?

                        As qualified pilots, they will be provided with transition training to qualify them to operate the A380. This includes line training and proficiency check training using simulators and this will be done in batches.

                        Although the A380 is the biggest commercial passenger airplane ever built, what is required most from the pilots are still the skills and experience of operating a modern large commercial jet. This is because the A380 is designed to be handle and feel like the A340 and A330, as the flight control characteristics are computer-programmed to behave as such. This is Airbus' concept of creating a family of aircraft where all aircraft in the family have very similar cockpit layouts and respond in like manners.
                        There's only One way to fly.... SINGAPORE AIRLINES!
                        If SQ is too expensive, the other way to fly is Qatar Airways

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Cap. 5.2 CREW - Pilot Training

                          a) How many SIA pilots have gotten the type rating for the A380?
                          Currently, there are about 30 of them. By end of 2007, we expect to have 50 pilots trained, rising to 100 by mid 2008.

                          b) How do you select the pilots to fly the A380 aircraft? Do they come from any particular fleet? Do pilots currently flying Airbus aircraft have any advantage over Boeing pilots in terms of the selection?
                          All SIA’s pilots (B777, B744 and A345) will have the opportunity to be converted to operate the A380. The training and deployment of pilots for A380 operations falls within the structure of SIA’s normal operation and deployment requirements.

                          c) How many more pilots will be trained to fly the A380 in SIA? How many percent does that translate to?
                          We generally need about 12 sets of pilots (one Capt + one FO) for each aircraft.

                          A proportion of the Airline’s technical and cabin crew has been trained ahead of the A380 delivery. These numbers will increase as Singapore Airlines takes delivery of, and deploys, more A380s on its network.

                          d) How long does it take to convert a pilot to fly the A380?
                          The conversion programme for pilots operating the A380 will take approximately 25 days. This will be followed by training in the actual aircraft and proficiency checks.


                          e) Can you give us more details on the pilot training programme?

                          Besides going through the paces as in any other transition training, our pilots need to learn how to manage the Onboard Information System (OIS) that is installed on the A380. It is a highly integrated network infrastructure that is linked to the aircraft’s systems and the airline's operating requirements. It enables Class 3 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) and backroom data processing and management. The pilots will have only electronic manuals or documents to consult. It will be a paperless cockpit.

                          We will also be using a fairly new training tool called Flight Training Device (FTD). It is a static cockpit replica consisting of large computer touch-screens and some cockpit hardware. It provides the same responses as a simulator except that it doesn't have motion or the confine of a real cockpit. The FTD is ideal for trainee providing a hand-on learning environment during the ground school phase. It is also very suitable for cockpit procedure training prior to training on the Full Flight Simulator.

                          f) What are some of the main challenges in flying the A380?
                          Some of the key points pilots have to take note when operating the A380 is that the aircraft has longer wingspan, compared to the other aircraft in our fleet, and it is much heavier, requiring more caution on the part of the pilot during take-off.

                          g) Is SIA going to get an A380 simulator and when will it be ready?
                          Yes, SIA has taken delivery of an A380 aircraft simulator and it is currently installed in the Singapore Airlines Training Centre.
                          There's only One way to fly.... SINGAPORE AIRLINES!
                          If SQ is too expensive, the other way to fly is Qatar Airways

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Cap. 5.3 CREW - Cabin Crew

                            a) How many cabin crew will you need and what is the crew to passenger ratio for this aircraft? How does this compare to the other aircraft types, like say the B744?
                            There will be 23 cabin crew on board the A380. The crew to passenger ratio will be comparable to that of existing aircraft type in our fleet. (Background info: PCL: 1: 4 ; JCL: 1:10 ; EY: 1:32)

                            Customers can be assured of the same, high-quality service standard that they are so used to enjoying on all SIA flights.

                            In the preparation for the A380, we also had the opportunity to re-look and improve some of the operational processes that are currently in place. We also had the opportunity to indicate how the galley could be designed to achieve higher efficiency in our operations, especially when there will be a higher number of passengers in the A380.

                            b) How much training is necessary to qualify the Cabin Crew for the A380?
                            All crew servicing the A380 will have to be certified for the aircraft type. Training for the new A380 will involve both service and safety aspects. This is on top of the 4-month training programme that all our cabin crew undergo. Training for cabin crew has commenced in the second half of this year and cabin crew will be trained in batches to meet with operational requirements.

                            c) Are there any special training required for crew operating this aircraft?
                            Crew operating the A380 will have to undergo specialised safety training in order to be certified to operate the aircraft. The twin-deck nature of the aircraft will require the crew to be competent in performing emergency actions if the need arises on two decks, instead of the traditional one.

                            We have installed new equipment as well as implemented a new curriculum for the training of both technical and cabin crew in the training centre. Singapore Airlines accords safety our top priority and it is no different for the A380.

                            d) What are the key differences between operating the A380 and other aircraft in your fleet?
                            The A380 features new products like the Singapore Airlines Suites and the new eX2 system, which is more advanced than the IFE system available on other aircraft (except B773ER) in our fleet. In addition, the galleys on the aircraft and the equipment (e.g. service carts) used are of a different standard from the rest of the aircraft in the fleet.

                            Our cabin crew have to undergo training to be familiar with the new product offerings, so as to ensure that they are able to provide seamless service to customers travelling on this aircraft.

                            e) Are there any differences in procedures because of the double-decker nature of the aircraft?
                            The double-deck nature of the aircraft will not affect service procedures as activities on both decks would be confined to their own respective decks.

                            f) How many crew have been trained to work on the A380 at the moment?
                            300 crew are currently in various stages of training to operate the SIN-SYD flights.

                            g) What new facilities are installed at the SIA Training Centre for cabin crew training?

                            The Singapore Airlines Suites mock-up cabin has been installed at the SIA Training Centre to facilitate practical training.

                            h) How long does it take to train a cabin crew before he/she can operate on the A380 aircraft?

                            Each A380 cabin crew member must go through 4 days of A380 conversion training, consisting of one day of Service Training, two days of Safety Training and one day of Aircraft Familiarisation.

                            An additional day of training is required for cabin crew who are selected to operate in the Suites cabin.

                            i) Are there any special training required before a crew can operate in Suites?
                            In addition to the normal A380 conversion training, cabin crew serving in the Suites, are required to attend an additional day of training with hands-on practices in the Suites mock-up cabin.

                            j) Will SIA be increasing cabin crew numbers in view of having ordered and operating many more A380s in future?
                            SIA will be increasing the cabin crew numbers to support future A380 destinations.
                            There's only One way to fly.... SINGAPORE AIRLINES!
                            If SQ is too expensive, the other way to fly is Qatar Airways

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Cap. 6 - ENGINEERING / MAINTENANCE

                              a) How many engineers are trained to maintain the A380?
                              The numbers of engineers that we need depends on operational requirements. Currently, over 80 licensed engineers have been trained to provide maintenance and technical support for our A380 aircraft when it goes into service and the number of engineers will increase as the A380 fleet grows.

                              Training of engineers for the A380 commenced in December 2005 and it is an ongoing activity. The training is both theoretical and practical to ensure that our engineers are thoroughly competent to support the aircraft when it goes into service.

                              b) Do engineers require any special training for the A380?
                              The A380 is a new aircraft design that has many new electronic devices that are not found in other aircraft types in the Singapore Airlines fleet. In addition, the Airline would be introducing a range of new cabin products onboard the A380. As such, we are conducting three main areas of maintenance training, namely Aircraft Type Maintenance Training, Specialist Training as well as Cabin Product Training, in order to support the A380 aircraft when it goes into service later this year.


                              Background Information


                              I. Aircraft Type Maintenance Training
                              Phase 1: Theory - this training, which is conducted in Singapore, started in Dec 05 and was completer completed by Jul 06.
                              Phase 2: Practical – This will be conducted in 2 batches. The first batch of engineers will do their practical training in Toulouse from Oct-Nov 06. This first batch of engineers will be fully qualified by the time we take delivery of our first A380 aircraft. The second batch of engineers will then undergo practical training in Singapore.

                              II. Specialist Training


                              There will be specialist training to equip our engineers to work on specific areas of this aircraft, especially on new technologies that are used on the A380. These include the A380 structure maintenance and repair training, both of which have already started at SIA.

                              III. Cabin Product Training

                              Our engineers will undergo thorough training on the maintenance of our A380 cabin products (such as seats, Inflight Entertainment System and galley equipment) to ensure that our A380 cabin products are maintained to high standards of aesthetic appeal and reliability.
                              There's only One way to fly.... SINGAPORE AIRLINES!
                              If SQ is too expensive, the other way to fly is Qatar Airways

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