Singapore Airlines debuts new regional business class on Perth flights
By David Flynn, May 8 2018
Singapore Airlines has launched its new regional business class seats on a daily Boeing 787-10 flight from Perth, and expects other Australian flights to follow suit as the airline upgrades its medium-range fleet.
This includes not only the Boeing 787-10 but a tranche of Airbus A350 jets due from the second half of 2019 and featuring the same business class and economy seats as the Dreamliner, although these will lack the premium economy cabin of the first wave of A350-900s.
“We have been flying very full planes out of Perth, it’s a very popular destination in our network, so we need more capacity, and this plane delivers more capacity than the Boeing 777-200 which we had on this (SQ215/SQ216) service,” Singapore Airlines’ Regional Vice President South West Pacific, Philip Goh, tells Australian Business Traveller.
This leaves two of Singapore Airlines’ three remaining Perth flights on the older Boeing 777-200, with the third on an Airbus A330 – all of which will eventually make way for the Boeing 787-10 and regional A350s.
“Certainly the two-cabin class aircraft will replace the current A330s in Perth and other ports like Adelaide," Goh says.
However, only flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will see aircraft with premium economy – specifically the Boeing 777-300ER, Airbus A380 and long-range Airbus A350s.
“Our experience on premium economy is that it is more popular on long-haul routes above eight hours, those are typically the ones that generate the greater demand (for premium economy),” Got reasons.
“For regional services we don’t see demand is that strong,” although he said that Singapore Airlines could bring premium economy-equipped A350s onto any Australian route if needed.
Read: AusBT reviews Singapore Airlines’ new Boeing 787-10 regional business class seat
David Flynn travelled on Singapore Airlines’ inaugural Perth-Singapore Boeing 787-10 flight as a guest of Singapore Airlines.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Aug 2011
Total posts 165
I think SQ is missing a trick here. Yes I might not care about premium economy from Perth or Adelaide to Singapore, but if I am connecting to/from Europe, I sure as hell do.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Sep 2016
Total posts 13
I agree @Libertyscott - many corporates (mine included) have caps on Biz class for under 7-8 hours, only allowing PE up to 7 hours, after that Biz is allowed - would think SQ would capitalize on this, given the new 787-10's will do the regional routes up to the 7-8 hour durations with PE.....
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
That's probably what SQ will do. If they see corporate demand rise out of Perth, they'll put one of the longer-haul jets on one of the frequencies to capture the PE market.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 780
Beats a 737. All they need to do is put a widebody on and they win PER-SIN.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Jun 2017
Total posts 41
Clearly, and with QF offering a 737 to Singapore, it gives Perth flyers a straightforward choice.
04 May 2018
Total posts 30
Is there something wrong the QF Business Class out of Perth on the 738
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2431
Jedi: You're welcome to ask questions, but please don't post the same question multiple times, as you've done under this article. The extras have been removed, and any replies to your question can be given here.
10 Apr 2015
Total posts 14
Yes, compared with SQ's service, it is pathetic in terms of space.
Qantas
20 Nov 2014
Total posts 7
No way I will fly Business class on a B738, especially on QF. SQ will always win out on Service Quality.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2017
Total posts 84
I still don't understand why SQ offer the 777-200er (pre facelift) from MEL-SIN.
23 Jun 2011
Total posts 85
...and now I commute between WLG & MEL (& SYD-WLG) - I'm excited SQ are now an option (cost savings!!)... and also hoping its just a matter of (brief) time before the 777-2 is swapped out for something. Any guesses from the forum? an A350?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2017
Total posts 84
They should at a minimum just retrofit the newer seats into the 777-200er
MEL-SIN is not regional
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
They'll replace the 777-200ERs with an A350-900 or 787-10 in time.
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
20 Jun 2013
Total posts 63
Yep ditto on a recent flight SIN-PER, dreadful old 777 the seat armrest across from me was held in place with sticky tape...and no I am not kidding.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
31 Jan 2013
Total posts 26
A mention of ADL.... FINALLY! Not holding my breath for it to happen anytime soon, but at least it is on the cards. I'll start flying SQ again once they upgrade to the new fully flat. The current overnighter SIN to ADL in that angled seat is awful for the price.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 371
ADL may have fewer passengers who are businessmen and women than the other major four Australian cities. That may be why SQ has not prioritised it for the more up to date aircraft.
QFF
03 Sep 2014
Total posts 15
recently took the QF flight to Singapore. Whilst the new lounge / immigration / departure gate system is clunky, it worked ok as the afternnon flight was not busy. However if Qantas have any chance of capturing this market, they despreately need to upgrade the aircraft, the 737's are too old and too basic to attract the fare premium being asked. It would be better to fly Scoot business than even consider the QF current offer.
18 Jan 2017
Total posts 51
I think SQ is missing a trick not having a premium economy product out of Perth, if at least it is only 1 flight a day.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1208
Qantas also flies W class to LHR daily from PER.
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
20 Jun 2013
Total posts 63
Indeed, Premium EC is a must now with most other Asia carriers of note with the offering, i.e. CX to HK. Ok its a slightly longer flight, but SQ are missing out if they don't offer a seamless Premium connection thru SIN.
04 May 2018
Total posts 30
[Deleted by admin - repeated question/comment]
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Dec 2012
Total posts 53
I agree that they need PE product on all flights from Aus
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Oct 2012
Total posts 133
A very interesting note about the lack of PE and somewhat surprising , however i must say as a personal point only , I did travel with SA PE recently and cannot say I was overly impressed with space, comfort or service and price point . Its far more closer to Economy than it is Business . didn't love it. :(
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2017
Total posts 84
I think it all depends on the time of the flight.
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