Singapore Airlines brings A380, premium economy, to Melbourne
By David Flynn, January 5 2016
Singapore Airlines is bringing its Airbus A380 back to Melbourne, with the superjumbo also sporting new premium economy seats.
Admittedly it's only a limited engagement – the A380 will run just three days a week as SQ217/218 from 24 June through to 3 September, with the other four days flown by a Boeing 777-300ER.
If you're keen to make sure your Melbourne-Singapore flights is on SQ's A380 – which also boasts luxe first class suites – then look to book SQ218 out of Melbourne on a Saturday, Sunday or Monday; the ex-Singapore SQ217 superjumbo flight will run on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Singapore flag-carrier will use the A380 to boost capacity during the mid-year holiday season, and will also represent just the second Australian appearance of the airline's premium economy outside of Sydney, where it's rostered onto selected A380 and Boeing 777-300ER flights.
The A380 is fitted with 36 premium economy seats on the lower deck, nestled between first class suites and economy in a 2-4-2 layout.
The leather-clad seats are 19.5 inches wide on the A380 with a pitch of 38 inches, compared to a 19 inch width and tighter 32 inch pitch in standard economy.
Each seat has a comfortable 8 inch recline with both a legrest and footrest, its own AC power socket (with a universal design that'll take all common plug types) plus a pair of USB sockets, one of which is a high-power jack capable of recharging tablets.
Travellers will also appreciate the generously-proportioned 13.3 inch HD video screen.
But perhaps the best part of the premium economy package is that passengers will also be treated to champagne and meals from Singapore Airlines' excellent 'Book the Cook' service.
Made famous in SQ's first class and business class cabins, Book the Cook lets you choose your inflight meals before you fly, with a wider range of dishes – and, generally speaking, of superior quality – to what you'd be offered onboard.
You'll typically be able to pre-order your main course for all meals served during the flight – breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or supper: here's the Book the Cook selection available from Sydney to Singapore.
Singapore Airlines will be the only airline offering premium economy on the Melbourne-Singapore route, with Qantas opting not to fit its premium economy seats to upgraded Airbus A330-300 jets flying to Asia.
Also read: Singapore Airlines to tempt Aussies with joint Lufthansa, Swiss flights
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
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.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 730
Seats half inch wider than economy, gee.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Mar 2013
Total posts 132
Is the SQ Y seat on the a380 the best Y dimensions (pitch, width) into Australia? If so, you'd imagine they'd use one of the old layout a380s for MEL, and put that bird to use in Europe.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 May 2014
Total posts 464
The width comparison of 19 inches in Y to 19.5 inches in Y+ may be misleading. The Y measurement is probably to the next seat, while in Y+ you have a large gap between neighbouring seats. A lot less bumping of shoulders and elbows ! All the same a 19 inch Y seat is generous.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Mar 2013
Total posts 132
Swapping over from LX in Y, it's an amazing step up. I'd believe that it was 19.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jul 2012
Total posts 117
...hmm... That depends on how you look at it.
It is also barely half-inch narrower than British Airways business seats...
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
16 May 2011
Total posts 113
Would love to see the whalejets back on a pernament basis, even if its only x3 weekly! Hopefully SQ is experimenting abit here which could possibly see the resumption of A380's to MEL year round. Not long ago MEL had x2 daily A380 flights!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
28 Jul 2013
Total posts 81
Is SQ boing to bring Prem Eco to MEL as an ongoing product. Love to have a choice over Xmas rather than fly BA16 out of SYD.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
26 Jul 2012
Total posts 38
What on earth is going on at Singapore Airlines? Consistancy has NOT been one of their strong points in over the last 12 or more months! Product has been variable, as aircraft has been variable! The heat is coming, as from March Emirates flies EK404/ 05 with their A380, so I say to the management team at Singapore, GET REAL and get with the program and start bringing consistancy of product, aircraft and service back to Melb, otherwise competition rules!
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1518
Well, JQ StarClas pretty much PE with excellent seats, though food can be awful.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
17 Nov 2014
Total posts 102
I hope Premium Economy on Singapore - Melbourne route will soon become more regular and more permanent feature.
The SQ 218 service is one of 2 only red eye service from East Coast Australia to Singapore. This service often attracts Sydney passengers to fly so they can save time whilst avoiding the curfew at Sydney Airport. Therefore I would say there should be demand for Premium Economy on this sector.
QantasFF
16 Nov 2012
Total posts 57
Yes, I wish Qantas would notice that CX and SQ both offer PE, which QF insists its passengers don't want on Asian routes. I've been using QF or CX Business on these but would like the option. While in Singapore last week, I used SQ economy to go to Hanoi and was really impressed by the quality of their Y offering - seemed like pelnty of legroom by Y standards, good service, excellent pre-ordered meal and free wine, and only 8 acrosss seating on the 777.
QantasFF
16 Nov 2012
Total posts 57
Yes, I wish Qantas would notice that CX and SQ both offer PE, which QF insists its passengers don't want on Asian routes. I've been using QF or CX Business on these but would like the option. While in Singapore last week, I used SQ economy to go to Hanoi and was really impressed by the quality of their Y offering - seemed like pelnty of legroom by Y standards, good service, excellent pre-ordered meal and free wine, and only 8 acrosss seating on the 777.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Dec 2011
Total posts 95
Still showing J to Singapore, not J+. Which toilet will the J= use, J or Y??
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jul 2015
Total posts 219
Book a cook looks great
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 264
Any news on PER flights with PE David?....
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
06 Feb 2014
Total posts 69
They need to lift the game and quickly or else the Likes of Emirates / etihad and Qatar will take their business. As someone else noted the Aircraft are not consistent ,some of the still have inclined business seats and are looking very old and tired , esp some of the 777 300s.I have noticed a decline in Food offerings as well, with tough steak in Business and First. In comparison my business experience on CX has always been great in all departments. A pity because I want SQ to succeed.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
22 Dec 2016
Total posts 4
My favourite Airline, but this time I won't be flying Business Class, but instead Premium Economy . Considering the difference in price , I find it unacceptable that we have to walk all the way back through economy , in the dark , during the night, to use their toilets!! The toilets should at least be located between the two classes. Any comments?
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Singapore Airlines brings A380, premium economy, to Melbourne