Flying On Singapore Airlines’ New A380 Delivery Flight

This post was supposed to be out some time ago so I apologise in advance for the time it has taken for me to finally publish this post. I’ve spent quite a significant time editing the photo’s and trying to make them as perfect as I could, enjoy!

For those not aware, a number of weeks ago I was part of a group of media working with both Airbus and Singapore Airlines. The program included tours to Airbus’ facilities both in Hamburg & Toulouse. The trip was absolutely incredible but for most, the most exciting part of the trip was the delivery flight from Toulouse to Singapore onboard 9V-SKU featuring Singapore’s brand new cabins.

The aircraft was parked at the delivery centre were a handover ceremony was performed as well as speeches from Airbus, Rolls Royce and Singapore Airlines executives. Before boarding the flight, the cabin crew as well as pilots went on the tarmac to get a group photo. For video footage of the ceremony and the whole flight, check out Sam Chui’s video.

Singapore Airlines New A380 and Crew

The anticipation for the flight was very high and you could tell a lot of people were extremely excited.  For many (Including myself) this was our first delivery flight and I’d have to say, this was the most excited I had ever been to get on an aircraft, the Residence is a very close second.

9V-SKU

I was assigned 18K which is a window seat. Majority of the media were given window seats while executives and staff were given middle seats. At first glance, you can see the seat is totally different to the previous seat found on the A380. The new seat looks a lot slimmer but it also felt more spacious.

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

The seats were designed by JPA Design and there are a total of 78 Business Class seats which are in a 1-2-1 configuration.

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

Each Business Class seat is 25 inches wide and can be made into a 78” flat-bed at the press of a button on the side of the seat. Unlike the old A380 Business Class seats, you’ll no longer need to get out of your seat, fold the chair and make the bed.

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

On the side of the suite you’ll find a personal reading light, mirror as well as an IFE remote.

Singapore Airlines New Business Class 

SQ also installed NFC technology which I thought Is quite interesting, I’m not too sure of the exact use but I’d expect this to be used for inflight shopping and duty free.

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

The seat position selection panel is located right next to your seat and is activated by touch. I found the buttons to be quite unresponsive at times and I had to apply quite a bit of pressure to change position.

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

The IFE remote does detach from it’s position and is also touchscreen. The IFE remote had no problems with sensitivity  and worked fantastically.

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

In front of you is where you’ll find a storage compartment as well as the 18-inch IFE screen.

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

As Singapore don’t offer full amenity kits they instead offer slippers, socks as well as an eye mask.

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

As you can see, there’s quite a lot of personal space and I had no problem storing a Macbook, IPad, Iphone as well as 2 camera’s.

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

One thing I really liked about the new seat is the curving shell, this is a great improvement from the old seats and it really is quite private.

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

The IFE system is the same found on other Singapore aircraft and is full of content. For this flight I wasn’t focusing on relaxing and watching a movie. The atmosphere on this flight was completely different to any other flight I’ve taken. Keep in mind there was no one seated in the bottom deck of the aircraft so everyone was on the upper deck walking around, talking, taking photos and enjoying themselves.

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

On the left side of the seat is where a arm rest is found. I don’t think it’s really necessary to have one there but it’s useful nonetheless.

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

We departed Toulouse on time and started our 12 hour journey to Singapore.

Another small but cool feature I liked about the inflight map is the fact that when the plane banked, the image on the map would do the same, I’m not sure if this is found on other aircraft but it’s pretty awesome to see that attention to detail.

Departure from Toulouse

Shortly after takeoff I headed downstairs to grab some photos of the empty Premium and Economy cabins. Below is the Premium Economy cabin at the front of the lower deck:

Singapore Airlines New Premium Economy Class

And here’s one of the Economy Class section’s on the bottom deck:

Singapore Airlines New Economy Class

After playing around the bottom deck of the empty A380, I headed upstairs where the meal service would be starting very shortly. The Singapore crew also made up the front two bulkhead seats for media to grab photo’s of the full setup.

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

The double bed really does look quite impressive!

Singapore Airlines New Business Class

The crew also opened up the new First Class suites for photo’s and interacting with. For more information and photo’s of the Suites, click here.

Singapore Airlines New Suites Class

Singapore Airlines New Suites Class

Singapore Airlines New Suites Class

Singapore Airlines New Suites Class

Singapore Airlines New Suites Class

For Business Class passengers there’s 5 lavatories available, 4 in the middle of the 2 sections and 1 on the right of the last galley.

Singapore Airlines New A380

Singapore Airlines New A380

Singapore offer quite a few amenities in the bathrooms which is why they don’t have kits.

Singapore Airlines New A380

Singapore Airlines New A380

Singapore Airlines New A380

As this isn’t a ”normal” Singapore Airlines flight, there wasn’t the usual catering, instead the flight was catered by Airbus in Toulouse. There wasn’t a menu offered and you are handed a tray which features cheeses, prawns, salad and a dessert pie.

Meal onboard

And for the main a fish was offered, I can’t exactly remember which type unfortunately.

Meal onboard

After having my meal, I decided to put the seat into bed mode and try to get some sleep as the next few days in Singapore were going to busy and I was still recovering from a bad head cold.

Singapore Airlines New A380 Business Class

Singapore Airlines New A380 Business Class

Singapore Airlines New A380 Business Class

The bedding offered was quite comfortable but I didn’t end up having any sleep as I was just so excited to be onboard and I was trying to tell myself I wasn’t dreaming.

Singapore Airlines New A380 Business Class

If you’re travelling with a companion, I would heavily recommend grabbing the middle seats as they’re quite private and can be made into a double bed. Now it’s important to note, the beds don’t actually go together and there’s actually a ridge between the two seats.

Singapore Airlines New A380 Business Class

But if you’re lucky enough to grab the front bulkhead seats (11D,11F,91D, 91F, 96D, 96F) you’ll have the best seats in the Business cabin as you can stretch your legs out fully and can be made into a double bed.

Singapore Airlines New A380 Business Class

The flight went soo quick and before you knew it, we were approaching Singapore. I was secretly hoping Singapore ATC delayed us….

Approaching Singapore

Final approach into Singapore

And just on time, we touched down in Singapore, sadly no water-salute this time.

Arrival in Singapore 

Overall this flight was definitely the highlight of my blogging career. Never had I ever thought I’d be visiting Airbus’ factories let alone fly onboard a delivery flight. If you’re wanting to know my complete thoughts on the seat you’ll have to wait until I review it which should be soon. As this wasn’t officially a normal SQ flight it’s unfair to review the soft and hard product without properly trialling it. 

Zac George (Points From The Pacific) was travelling with other journalists/media as a guest of Airbus and Singapore Airlines.