Singapore Airlines plots return of first class cabins

It is exciting to see the demand for travel continue to grow. George Robertson, Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines is bringing back aircraft with first class cabins for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020.

It will fly a Boeing 777-300ER with four cabin classes between Singapore and Auckland from October 30.

Airlines are reporting heavy demand for premium cabins and the option of first class through the Singapore stopover will be welcomed by the travel industry. Before the pandemic, New Zealand had been well served by airlines that offered highend cabins — particularly in Airbus A380s, which are still to return.

Emirates’ 777-300s, which fly to Dubai via Kuala Lumpur, also offer first class, with eight seats. Qatar Airways also operates 777-300s via Adelaide to Doha which are regarded as first class-equivalent Q-suites.

Business travel is recovering, according to figures out today, and travellers are willing to pay more with international fares up by as much as 60 per cent on three years ago.

Data from Corporate Traveller, a travel management provider for SMES, shows a steady increase in international bookings as NZ travel rules ease. The firm’s international air sales are now sitting at roughly 65 per cent of pre-covid volume.

The Singapore Airlines aircraft has a total of 264 first class, business class, premium economy and economy class seats. Its first class has just four seats which convert into what the airline says are among the largest fully flat beds in the sky.

The aircraft will operate daily on SQ285/SQ286 between Auckland and Singapore from the end of October to

March 25 next year, replacing the current Airbus A350-900 aircraft operating the route.

The airline will resume its SQ281/ 282 service, operating four times weekly during the New Zealand summer, meaning there will be a total of 11 weekly Singapore Airlines flights between Singapore and Auckland.

Last month it restarted daily flights between Christchurch and Singapore.

The alliance partnership between Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand

means passengers also have the option of travelling between Auckland and Singapore on one of Air NZ’S daily services, offering a choice of 18 weekly flights between the two cities.

Singapore Airlines general manager NZ, George Robertson, said the return of the Boeing 777-300 was another positive step for the local travel industry and NZ’S recovery.

“Returning first class to Auckland provides another option for Kiwi customers to resume their international travel plans in comfort after a difficult couple of years,” Robertson said.

“It is exciting to see the demand for travel continue to grow as borders reopen and international travel rebounds.”

Corporate Traveller NZ’S general manager, Keeley Alton, said the high demand for travel shouldn’t be underestimated, considering overall capacity constraints in and out of New Zealand. “Airline capacity is currently only at about 40 per cent, which means there are fewer flight options and subsequently more expensive airfares,” Alton said.

Based on April-may 2022 data, compared with the same period in 2019, domestic airfares are up 16 per cent and international airfares are up by almost 60 per cent.

“Interestingly, this doesn’t seem to be putting off our SME customers.”

The company has also seen a surge in new customers who were previously DIY travel bookers.

Alton recommends customers book at least four weeks in advance to access flight options and choice, especially if they’re wanting to travel in premium cabins.

Alton expects bookings to continue to increase.