Singapore Airlines going long-haul
By Dk Suria Rina PHA

Testing out the seat in the Executive economy class.

Display of Raffles business class during the preview of Airbus 340-500.

Long-range Airbus 340-500, the newest aircraft type unveiled by the Singapore Airlines (SIA), is set to join its fleet by becoming the longest non-stop commercial service in the world, with its first flight from Singapore to Los Angeles in February 2004.

With daily services to Los Angeles, the SIA A345LeaderShip will then continue their service by heading to New York in August 2004.

The service from New York to Singapore will shorten travel time by two hours, and from Singapore to New York, by six hours. The New York-Singapore service will take approximately 18 hours in each direction.

This aircraft will feature 181 seats in a spacious two-class configuration comprising Raffles (business) class and new Executive Economy Class.

The preview event for this A340-500 service was held in Singapore October 15, 2003, attended by media and journalists from all over the world.

Senior Executive VP Commercial of Singapore Airlines Michael J N Tan, during the preview, highlighted the attraction of this new service for the time saved and the convenience offered to passengers by eliminating intermediate stops.

The interior of the A340-500, from the cabin layout to the seats, has been designed to offer comfort for long-haul business travellers to ensure they arrive refreshed and ready to go.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin