Singapore Airlines returns Airbus A380 to Melbourne flights

Singapore Airlines is returning the popular Airbus A380 superjumbo to its Melbourne flights from late March, bringing better seats, a quieter ride and a more comfortable cabin for business travellers.

"The A380 aircraft will service the Singapore-Melbourne SQ227/SQ228 route from 25 March 2012", a Singpaore Airlines spokesperson confirmed to Australian Business Traveller (26 March will be the first Melbourne-Singapore A380 leg).

The A380 will still be absent from Melbourne-Singapore flights between 16 January and 25 March. If you're flying from Melbourne during that period, we've previously outlined the changes, which mean a much less comfortable ride for some passengers.

When the A380 returns in March, however, it won't be on exactly the same flights as previously. Here's how the post-March schedule breaks down for Melbourne-Singapore:

• SQ218 leaves Melbourne at 0005, arriving in Singapore at 0555, using a Boeing 777-300ER
• SQ238 leaves Melbourne at 1000, arriving in Singapore at 1550, using a Boeing 777-300
• SQ228 leaves Melbourne at 1545, arriving in Singapore at 2135, using an Airbus A380

For Singapore-Melbourne flights:

• SQ237 leaves Singapore at 0045, arriving in Melbourne at 1005, using a Boeing 777-300
• SQ217 leaves Singapore at 0955, arriving in Melbourne at 1915, using a Boeing 777-300ER
• SQ227 leaves Singapore at 2100, arriving in Singapore at 0620 the next day, using an Airbus A380.

Picking the most comfortable flights

The extra-wide, fully flat beds in business class on the A380 and 777-300ER are markedly better than the 777-300 offering.

If your schedule is flexible enough to pick any of the flights, we recommend the A380: its cabin is quieter, with air that's less dry, and it has the very latest fully flat bed with direct aisle access for everyone in business class.

The Boeing 777-300ER is second best, with the fully flat bed but without the A380's quieter, more comfortable cabin.

We'd try to avoid the Boeing 777-300: its regional business class gives markedly less space and privacy.

While the 777-300 regional business class is better than the older seats, it's not a patch on the fully flat beds on the A380.

We've also got detailed recommendations for the best seats to pick on all three Singapore Airlines planes -- so make sure you select the best spot on your flight.

John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.