Singapore Airlines will return its flagship Airbus A380s to Melbourne from later this year, albeit on a temporary basis.
From October 30 2016 through March 25 2017, the superjumbo will appear on all SQ217 and SQ218 flights between the Victorian capital and Singapore, offering Suites Class (first class), business class, premium economy and also economy.
Guests up the very front in Suites Class will begin their journey in Singapore Airlines' dedicated first class lounge in Melbourne, before ascending through the clouds in one of 12 private suites...
... while business class fills the entire upper deck in a 1-2-1 configuration, offering each traveller a fully-flat bed and direct aisle access from each of the 86 seats:
AusBT review: Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 business class, Singapore-London
Between December 1 2016 and January 15 2017, however, business class shrinks to 60 seats to make room for more holiday flyers in economy at the rear of the upper deck.
Back on the lower deck and behind first class are 36 premium economy seats in a 2-4-2 setting, each being 19.5 inches wide with 38 inches of total space ('pitch') from one row to the next, complete with leg and foot rests, added storage space and a central cocktail table:
AusBT review: Singapore Airlines premium economy, Sydney-Singapore
"We have seen continued growth in our Victorian market in recent times, and to ensure we are meeting the expectation of our customers and the demand of the market we have decided to return the A380,” said Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President Tan Tiow Kor.
The appearance of the Airbus A380 on flights SQ217/218 follows a brief visit to Melbourne by the newer Airbus A350 on SQ207/208, between September 1 and October 22 this year.
Also read:
- The best business class seats on Singapore Airlines' Airbus A380
- Singapore Airlines business class lounge review, Melbourne
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Aug 2015
Total posts 121
I think Melbourne is the current hot spot when it comes to Asian connections. I'd be curious to see how all these new point-to-point services and upgraded hub operations will go.
03 Aug 2015
Total posts 58
If they can fit it into their schedule i expect it might become year round soon.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1209
As anyone who goes to MEL during peak times will know, gate slots at Int'l in MEL are incredibly tight with all the gates full and a number of pax being bussed to their planes. For airlines to grow capacity in MEL, airlines have little choice but to upgauge equipment so just as SQ are replacing the 777 with A380, it is likely that CX and some Chinese carriers will replace A330s with 777s.
It will be fascinating to see if UA are tempted to introduce the 77W (when they receive it) in MEL to replace the 789s. UA and QF are the only 2 carriers to LAX from MEL so I'd assume it is even more profitable for both airlines than SYD-LAX.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Aug 2014
Total posts 503
Nice that SQ is bringing back A380 to Melbourne, but I'm looking forward more to the A350 that will be coming to Melbourne.
SQ
22 Feb 2016
Total posts 10
Not hot enough for QF it seems. Their point to point connectivity out of MEL is woeful....
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
20 Dec 2011
Total posts 22
Julian, right there is the reason why I and others that I know, refuse toi fly qantas internationally. Im damned if i want to transit via Sydney to go offshore. Who wants to add 4+ hours to a long flight?
SQ have got it right with not only direct flights but multiple timeslot choices
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
20 Dec 2011
Total posts 22
Also, if i was crazy enough want to go via syd, i would be flying domestic and then need to transit to the international terminal - what a pain !
16 Sep 2011
Total posts 2
Was on SQ 218 on 24th July - booked late afternoon on 23rd - and to my delight it was an A380. Upper deck had economy in the rear
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