SINGAPORE AIRLINES

Singapore Airlines is the flag carrier of Singapore and operates to many cities across the world from their hub at Singapore Changi Airport. A full service airline, they’re known as one of the world’s top airlines for service, and for safety. Their subsidiary SilkAir operates most of their regional flights within Asia, and they also own low cost airlines Scoot and Tigerair Asia. Singapore Airlines operates a mixture of modern and young Boeing and Airbus aircraft.

THE ESSENTIALS
Name: Singapore Airlines
Founded: 1947
Hub: Singapore Changi Airport
Rewards Program: Krisflyer
NZ Routes: Auckland and Christchurch directly to Singapore, and Wellington to Singapore via Canberra
Partners: Strong cooperation with Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia, as well as being a Star Alliance member.
Classes of Travel: First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy.
Meals: All meals and drinks (including alcohol) are included. Special meals available.
Entertainment: Movies, TV shows, music and games included with personal seatback screens.
Luggage Allowance: One piece of checked luggage up to 30 kilograms and one piece of carry on up to 7 kilograms included on all Economy fares. Increased allowances apply for higher classes (see below).
Seat Selection: Your House of Travel consultant can assign seats on most flights for no extra charge.
Connectivity: Internet and phone calls available. USB sticks and universal power plugs can be used onboard.
*Please note all the above info is for flights to and from New Zealand. Generally the same applies for all flights on to Europe, North America, South America and Africa, but can differ between destinations in Asia.

THE DIFFERENCE
- Want to experience the worlds biggest passenger plane? Singapore Airlines is one of only a few that operates the Airbus A380 on flights to Auckland.
- Heading Stateside? Stock up on the sleeping pills. Singapore Airlines operate two of the world’s longest commercial flights, an 18 hour direct flight from Singapore to Los Angeles, and a 19 hour flight from Singapore to New York.
- If you have at least five hours between flights at Changi Airport, you can jump on the airports free city tour which runs for two hours and takes in locations sights such as the Merlion, Marina Bay, Chinatown and Little India!
- Once you’re aboard the aircraft, but prior to taking off, the crew come round with scented heated towels; especially good after battling through airports in hot tropical destinations.
- Singapore Airlines spends $700 million dollars on food and $16 million dollars on wine every year.
- Singapore Airlines once offered a Concorde service between London and Singapore. The Concorde was painted in Singapore colours on one side, and British Airways colours on the other. However they only three flights and had to drop the service after the government of Malaysia complained about the sonic booms it made as it passed overhead.

THE DESTINATIONS
New Zealand: Auckland and Christchurch directly to Singapore, and Wellington to Singapore via Canberra.
Singapore: To most major cities in Asia, Europe and North America, as well as South America and Africa.

THE CLASSES
Premium Economy: In addition to the benefits of Economy Class, in Premium Economy you’ll receive more space, a personal storage area for water bottles/laptops etc, a larger, better quality screen on your entertainment system with noise cancelling airphones the ‘Book the Cook’ service which allows you to order from a menu up to 24 hours in advance. Checked luggage allowance is one piece at 35 kilograms, cabin is one piece at 7 kilograms.
Business Class: In addition to the benefits of Premium Economy, in Business Class you’ll receive much larger seats at least 30 inches wide, guaranteed aisle access, lie flat beds, bedding such as a light duvet, pillows and linen, in-seat vanity mirror, a 15.4 inch wide LCD screen for your entertainment system, and an expanded ‘Book the Cook’ service with up to 60 different meals available to order up to 24 hours in advance. Checked luggage allowance is one piece at 40 kilograms, cabin is two pieces at 7 kilograms each.
First Class: In First Class you’ll receive all the Business Class benefits above, but also have a much larger seating area designed with partitions to separate you from the rest of the cabin, giving you a more private sanctuary. Checked luggage allowance is one piece at 40 kilograms, cabin is two pieces at 7 kilograms each.
Suites: The Singapore Airlines Suites are almost like having your own cabin in the sky. You’ll have sliding doors, windows and blinds for the utmost privacy, an actual standalone bed (not one converted from a seat), a 23 inch wide LCD screen, ‘Book the Cook’ service with up to 60 different meals available to order up to 24 hours in advance, and real cutlery, dinnerware and glassware. Checked luggage allowance is one piece at 40 kilograms, cabin is two pieces at 7 kilograms each.

THE HUB
Singapore Changi Airport: Is one of the busiest in the world with a flight landing or departing every 90 seconds. A staggering 54 million people travel here from over 300 cities in 80 different countries. Even with those sorts of number, Changi is one of the easiest airports to navigate in the world. All Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand flights use the same terminal (Terminal 3) so transferring is not required. That being said, if you have some time up your sleeve then by all means jump on the monorail and explore the other two terminals. The airport has masses of facilities including five gardens, free arcade games, 24 hour movie theatres, gym, spa facilities, kids playgrounds, free internet throughout, and of course, masses of shops and restaurants. There’s even an in airport hotel (meaning you don’t have to clear immigration) with rooms bookable for six hours plus.