Singapore Airlines' Inaugural All-Business Class Service Takes Flight

NEW YORK, May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore Airlines redefines long-haul air travel with the launch of the world's first all-Business Class flights from North America to Asia. Singapore Airlines flight SQ 21, will depart New York at 2300hrs today, and arrive in Singapore at 0550hrs on 17 May.

The newly reconfigured Airbus A340-500 replaces the two-class, 181-seat configuration with 100 of the Airline's new award-winning Business Class seats. Singapore Airlines is the first to operate an all-Business Class service on the transpacific route.

Each leather-upholstered Business Class seat measures 30 inches (76 cm) in width, almost 50 percent wider than most products in this class. Providing customers with more personal space and privacy, the seats are arranged in a 4-abreast, 1-2-1, layout, with every seat having direct access to the aisle. When it is time to sleep, the new Business Class seat converts into a fully-flat bed.

Singapore Airlines' Executive Vice-President Marketing and the Regions Huang Cheng Eng says the all-Business Class service is in response to demand from corporate travelers.

"Our direct flights to the US have always been well-received. With this newly reconfigured aircraft, we will not only be increasing our Business Class capacity, but also offering our customers traveling to the US, the opportunity to experience our award-winning new Business Class seat."

The conversion of all five of the Airline's A340-500s from a two-class configuration to an all-Business Class seating is being carried out in phases. For now, the all-Business Class A340-500 operates only on certain days of the week (see Annex 1), with daily services to Singapore expected by end June. By late September 2008, Singapore Airlines will also fly the all-Business Class service from Los Angeles to Singapore daily.

New Enhancements to KrisWorld Inflight Entertainment

In addition to 1,000 on-demand options, KrisWorld now boasts new enhancements that offer customers greater control and choices on how to spend their time in flight.

Customers can now easily enjoy their personal audio and video content from their iPod or iPhone on KrisWorld.

"This is a very important step in our efforts to bring passengers the ultimate entertainment experience," said Paul Margis, Chief Executive Officer at Panasonic Avionics Corporation. "Integrating personal portable players with Panasonics eX2 in-flight entertainment system allows the world's leading airlines to increase the value of entertainment experiences to passengers."

Customers can also plug in their USB thumb drives and view their photographs with Photo Viewer or watch videos via Media Player on the 15.4-inch widescreen LCD monitor.

Other ways customers can entertain themselves during the long-haul flight include learning a new language with Berlitz(R) Word Traveler or turning to the interactive Zagat Survey(R) Restaurant and Hotel Guide to search for recommendations on where to eat or stay at their destinations.

Navigating KrisWorld has also been made easier with the new 'Quick Select' feature, which gives customers more convenient, direct access to movies, TV programs, music and radio channels. Passengers simply refer to KrisWorld magazine for the relevant three-digit channel number and enter the number using the handset.

More dining options

The new service features World Gourmet Cuisine designed by Singapore Airlines' International Culinary Panel of world-renowned chefs. The culinary creations are paired with fine wines and Champagne and served with full restaurant-style table settings. In-between meals, customers can head to the Passenger Corner to pick up snacks and drinks or socialize during the flight.

Singapore Airlines now offers even more flexible dining options. Customers traveling from New York to Singapore on SQ 21 can set their own dining times with our new flexi-dining service. Customers can choose from our gourmet a-la- carte menu featuring a wide selection of soups, salads, main courses, and desserts. Flexi-dining is available any time after dinner and up to two-and-a- half hours before arrival in Singapore.

Consistently rated as the world's top international route airline by the readers of both Conde Nast Traveler and Travel+Leisure magazines, Singapore Airlines operates one of the world's youngest, quietest and most fuel- efficient aircraft fleets to a network of 66 destinations in 35 countries.

    Media Contacts:
    Weber Shandwick Worldwide               Singapore Airlines
    Marlayna Rutter                         James Boyd
    (212) 445-8221                          (323) 964-5185



    Annex 1

                       SCHEDULE OF SINGAPORE AIRLINES'
                   ALL-BUSINESS CLASS SERVICE TO SINGAPORE


     Flight number         Date            Day    Departure    Arrival Time
                                                     Time
         SQ22        15 May - 21 June     Mon,
      Singapore-           2008          Thurs,     10:50          17:50
        Newark                             Sat

         SQ21        15 May - 21 June     Mon,
        Newark-            2008          Thurs,     23:00        05:50 +2
       Singapore                           Sat



     Flight number         Date            Day    Departure    Arrival Time
                                                     Time
                                          Mon,
         SQ22       23 June - 29 June    Thurs,
      Singapore-           2008         Fri, Sat,   10:50          17:50
        Newark                             Sun

         SQ21                             Mon,
        Newark-     23 June - 29 June    Thurs,     23:00        05:50 +2
       Singapore           2008           Fri,
                                        Sat, Sun



     Flight number         Date            Day    Departure    Arrival Time
                                                     Time
         SQ22        30 June - 25 Oct
      Singapore-           2008           Daily     10:50          17:50
        Newark

         SQ21        30 June - 25 Oct
        Newark-            2008           Daily     23:00        05:50 +2
       Singapore

    All times local.

Singapore Airlines flight SQ 21 departs from Newark Liberty International Airport, Terminal B. Returning flights from Singapore to New York depart from Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3.