Singapore Airlines Launches A350-900 Christchurch Service

MEDIA RELEASE

8 JANUARY 2019

Singapore Airlines Launches Airbus A350-900 Service From Christchurch to Singapore

Singapore Airlines’ today marked another chapter in its long history of operations to Christchurch, welcoming its Airbus A350-900 aircraft to the South Island capital, when SQ297 touched down at 10:06 local time after departing Singapore on 7th January at 19:16 local time. The milestone event was marked with the 10,000th Airbus aircraft featuring the special logo.

Those departing Christchurch on SQ298 were treated to departure gate celebrations including canapes, free barista hot beverages, photo opportunities with our iconic Singapore Airlines crew and cupcakes.

A number of VIPs were given an exclusive tour of the aircraft, which was celebrated before it departed Christchurch at 11:53 local time for the return journey to Singapore where it is scheduled to arrive at 17:20 local time.

The A350-900 is one of the most recent additions to the airline’s fleet and will introduce a new level of comfort to the South Island, featuring all-new lie-flat Business Class seats and ergonomically designed Economy class seats. The deployment of the A350-900 to Christchurch will also see Singapore Airlines’ Premium Economy class debut in the South Island, allowing customers the chance to enjoy the new premium cabin all the way through to long-haul destinations like Paris, London, New Delhi, Johannesburg and Hong Kong.

The new aircraft has been designed with comfort in mind, providing customers flying in and out of Christchurch with an improved travel experience, bringing features like higher ceilings, larger windows, and an extra wide body as well as lighting that has been specifically designed to reduce jetlag.

Singapore Airlines General Manager, New Zealand, Kenny Teo said Christchurch has been a key destination for Singapore Airlines since 1986 and is pleased to be able to continue the airlines’ longstanding commitment to the South Island.

“We are excited to have officially launched the A350-900 service from Christchurch to Singapore, allowing Cantabrian’s and South Islanders to experience our new premium cabins first-hand,” Mr Teo said.

“All of the products onboard our A350-900 have been designed with the customer’s experience and needs front of mind, and not only are we thrilled to be delivering a new level of comfort to Christchurch, but also to be the only long-haul carrier out of Christchurch offering customers the Premium Economy Cabin every day of the year.”

Customers travelling on the A350-900 can utilise the Singapore Airlines Companion App, allowing them to pre-select their favourite video and audio content before boarding to better plan, personalise and enjoy their journey.

The A350-900 features 42 Business Class seat in a 1-2-1 layout providing each customer with direct aisle access. Each seat is 28-inches wide and converts into a 78-inch fully-flat bed with cushioned headboard for greater sleeping comfort. Stowage has been designed to include a side console located above the armrest which allows laptop storage in both seat and bed mode. Each Business Class seat boasts a personal 18-inch HD LCD screen along with noise cancelling headphones and a video touchscreen handset to help customers enjoy over 1,000 movie, TV, music and game choices on the KrisWorldsystem.

Premium Economy Class features 24 seats in a 2-4-2 layout providing extra comfort, choices, and privileges for passengers. It all starts with priority handling and boarding, followed by a seat designed with greater width of up to 19.5 inches including a calf-rest and footrest for extra comfort. The seat reclines up to eight inches with a 38-inch seat pitch, perfectly designed for snoozing. A video touchscreen handset and 13.3 inch HD touch screen monitor, along with the addition of noise cancelling headphones, allows customers to fully immerse themselves in in the KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system, all while sippingChampagne throughout the flight.

Economy Class features 197 seats in a 3-3-3 layout and provides more legroom and personal space alongside a new backrest cushion with bolstered sides and a 4-way adjustable sculpture headrest, which provides neck support and comfort to rest peacefully. One of the stand out features is the 11.1-inch wide touch-screen personal monitor and video touch-screen handset to view more than 1,000 entertainment options throughout the journey.

Singapore Airlines’ has a total of 67 A350-900 aircraft on firm order and have already taken delivery of 21 since the first aircraft entered the fleet in March 2016.

Singapore Airlines first touched down at Christchurch International Airport in 1986, creating history as the first international long-haul carrier to fly to the Garden City. In 2016, Singapore Airlines celebrated the 30th anniversary of the route reinforcing its commitment to Christchurch and the South Island.

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