A350 Deliveries and Routes

[SQfanatic]

Personal take on NA Strategy (if I were running the show with some historical bias, not what I believe is likely to happen):

A359 ULR
SIN-ORD 4x weekly
SIN-YYZ 5x weekly
SIN-EWR 5x weekly
SIN-LAX Daily

Ideally, if the routes perform, purchase 1 more ULR frame and increase to daily

A359
SIN-MAN-IAH 5x weekly
SIN-MAN-EWR 2x weekly
SIN-SFO Daily
SIN-SEA 5x weekly

77W
SIN-HKG-SFO Daily

A380
SIN-NRT-LAX Daily
SIN-FRA-JFK Daily

I wonder what would happen with ICN.

[wlgspotter]

Sorry posted in error...

[Dobbo]

SIN-MAN-IAH 5x weekly
SIN-MAN-EWR 2x weekly

It (probably) makes sense to increase SIN-MAN capacity without increasing SIN-IAH, this is a creative way to archive this, and MAN-EWR would be popular.

However, my expectation is that SIN-EWR/JFK will be daily, and I don't see what a 2x weekly service adds. MAN remains a good option for transit flights to the eastern seaboard - particularly if it gets USPC. As well as New York you have Boston, Washington, Toronto as possible but unlikely options.

[Spaniard]

Maintain SIN-MAN-IAH

How about adding SIN-MAN-MIA? No non-stop services at the moment between MAN-MIA

[9V-JKL]

Simple. It is because he is from HKG. He has been talking about replacing all HKG-SIN A350/A380 flights by B737Max8 in local forums.

Ah! Now it makes 'sense'

[SQ228]

Up until now, no new destinations/flights have been announced since the arrival of SMU, although SQ217/8 is scheduled to get one for a while.

Now the extra A350 capacity has a purpose in July & August at least:

Singapore Airlines during Northern summer peak season is expanding service to South Africa, as the airline schedules 10 weekly Singapore – Johannesburg service. Additional flights will be offered from 01JUL18 to 31AUG18, on board Airbus A350-900XWB.

SQ478 SIN0125 – 0610JNB 359 x146
SQ478 SIN0200 – 0635JNB 359 146
SQ482 SIN1400 – 1835JNB 359 357

SQ479 JNB1345 – 0610+1SIN 359 x146
SQ479 JNB1355 – 0610+1SIN 359 146
SQ481 JNB1955 – 1220+1SIN 359 357

Along with the CPT tag going daily, South Africa has really become a greater focus for SQ which must be a welcome change for regular flyers.

Of interest too, is that this second flight's schedule operates within 24 hours including turn around times.

[9V-JKL]

http://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press...ts-debut-.html

1st A359ULR Rollout

[SQKevin]

http://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press...ts-debut-.html

1st A359ULR Rollout

Thanks, 9V-JKL. It's interesting to note that the ULR has been fitted with a larger winglet.

[CarbonMan]

Just read this on Airbus's tweeter:

MSN216, the first #A350ULR for @SingaporeAir has made its roll-out in Toulouse!

With a MTOW of 280t and a range of 9.700nm, this bird should first fly in April and be delivered in early Q4-2018 after some additional testing.

Looks like there'll be a delay.

Following completion of the airframe assembly, the first aircraft has now moved to an outdoor station where it will undergo extensive ground tests, prior to installation of its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

The aircraft will then embark on a short flight test programme to certify the changes over the standard A350-900 that will bring the additional range capability. These include a modified fuel system that increases fuel carrying capacity by 24,000 litres, without the need for additional fuel tanks. The test phase will also measure enhanced performance derived from aerodynamic improvements, including extended winglets.

A bit more info from the PR.

[SQ22]

Thank you, 9V-JKL and CarbonMan! This is an interesting development (not the delay in delivery). I can't wait to see SIA reinstate the ULR flights!

[SQ22]

Out of curiousity, will the flight testing/certification regime actually see the bird covering a SIN-EWR (or equivalent distance) flight? Or will it involve a shorter test route, whereupon a projection (based on certain data already collected) will be done to simulate an ULR flight?

[FN-GM]

I see they have recycled the "first to fly" text.

[9V-SPL]

According to @A350_Production:

Configuration of @SingaporeAir's regional #A350s:

- 40 Business
- 263 Economy

Total: 303 seats

Seat suppliers: Stelia & Recaro

3rd different A350 configuration for the #SIA350, to replace the carrier's #A330 on short regional flights.

https://twitter.com/A350_Production/...10985289527296

[Metropolitan Airlines]

According to @A350_Production:



https://twitter.com/A350_Production/...10985289527296

Where is Premium Economy? How can premium budget passengers enjoy better seats on SQ's regional flights then?

[SQ228]

So it appears the regional A350 will have the same everything as the 787, just proportionally less of it, so for use on routes with lower traffic or higher frequency perhaps.

So this could be the end for F on CGK flights, if neither 359s or 787s will supply it, unless they schedule 77Ws. The 773 fleet has to be retired sooner or later.