Singapore Airlines
161591
226099201
2008-07-16T20:38:17Z
Vegaswikian
214427
rv - wikinews is the third door on the left. This is a news item and not somthing encylopedic.
{{Infobox Airline
|airline = Singapore Airlines
|logo = Singapore Airlines Logo.svg
|logo_size = 300
|fleet_size = 101 (+74 orders, 59 options)
|destinations = 66
|IATA = SQ
|ICAO = SIA
|callsign = SINGAPORE
|company_slogan = A Great Way To Fly
|founded = 1947 (as Malayan Airways)
|headquarters = [[Singapore]]
|key_people = [[Chew Choon Seng]] ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
|hubs = [[Singapore Changi Airport]]
|frequent_flyer = [[KrisFlyer]]<br/>[[KrisFlyer#PPS Club|PPS Club]]
|lounge = Silver Kris Lounge
|alliance = [[Star Alliance]]
|subsidiaries =
<div>
*[[Singapore Airport Terminal Services]]
*[[SIA Engineering Company]]
*[[SilkAir]]
*[[Singapore Airlines Cargo]]
*[[Singapore Flying College]]
</div>
|website = http://www.singaporeair.com
}}
'''Singapore Airlines Limited''' ('''SIA''') ({{zh-cp|c=新加坡航空公司|p=Xīnjiāpō Hángkōng Gōngsī}}, abbreviated {{lang|zh|新航}}; {{Lang-ms|Syarikat Penerbangan Singapura}}; {{Lang-ta|சிங்கப்பூர் ஏர்லைன்ஸ்}}) ({{sgx|C6L}}) is the [[Flag carrier|national airline]] of [[Singapore]]. Singapore Airlines operates a hub at [[Singapore Changi Airport]] and has a strong presence in the [[Southeast Asia]], [[East Asia]], [[South Asia]], and "[[Kangaroo Route]]" markets. The company also operates [[Transpacific|trans-Pacific]] flights, including two of the world's longest [[non-stop flight|non-stop commercial flights]] from Singapore to [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]], [[New Jersey]] and [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[California]] on the [[Airbus A340|Airbus A340-500]].<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Boeing jetliner tries for record for longest nonstop flight |url= http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/247531_recordflight09.html |work= [[Seattle Post Intelligencer]] |publisher= |date= [[November 9]], [[2005]]|accessdate= 2007-01-01 }}</ref><ref>[http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SIP_413_2005-02-02.html The first non-stop flight between Singapore and Los Angeles, USA], Singapore Infopedia (National Library Board of Singapore), retrieved on [[1 January]] [[2007]].</ref> Singapore Airlines was the launch customer of the "superjumbo" [[Airbus A380]].
SIA has diversified into airline-related businesses such as aircraft handling and engineering. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, [[SilkAir]], manages regional flights to secondary cities with smaller capacity requirements. Subsidiary [[Singapore Airlines Cargo]] operates SIA's dedicated freighter fleet, and manages the cargo-hold capacity in SIA's passenger aircraft. SIA has a 49% shareholding in [[Virgin Atlantic]] and has also responded to the threats posed by the [[Low-cost carrier|low-cost sector]] by investing a 49% stake in [[Tiger Airways]]. Singapore Airlines Limited is the world's largest carrier by market capitalisation. It ranks amongst the top 15 carriers worldwide in terms of [[revenue]] [[passenger]] [[kilometre]]s,<ref>{{cite web |publisher= [[Air Transport World]] |date= 2007 |title= Data/Airline Economics Channel |url= http://www.atwonline.com/channels/dataAirlineEconomics/index.html }}</ref> is the [[List of largest airlines in Asia|8th largest airline in Asia]] and ranked 6th in the world for international passengers carried.<ref>{{cite web |publisher= [[International Air Transport Association]] |date= 2005 |title= WATS Scheduled Passengers Carried |url= http://www.iata.org/pressroom/wats/wats_passengers_carried.htm }}</ref>
Singapore Airlines was ranked 17th in [[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune's]] World’s Most Admired Companies rankings in 2007<ref>{{cite web |publisher= [[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |date=2007 |title= World’s Most Admired Companies 2007 |url= http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/globalmostadmired/2007/snapshots/8155.html }}</ref> and has built up a strong [[brand]] name<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Airlines’ Reputations Hinge On the Basics, Study Shows |url= http://www.harrisinteractive.com/services/pubs/The_Wall_Street_Journal_Airlines_Reputations_2000.pdf |work= [[The Wall Street Journal]] |publisher= |date= |accessdate=2007-01-02}}</ref> as a trendsetter<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Singapore Airlines raises the bar for luxury flying |url= http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/300154_boeingsingapore18.html |work= [[Seattle Post Intelligencer]] |publisher= |date=[[18 January]] [[2007]] |accessdate=2007-01-18}}</ref> in the aviation industry, particularly in terms of innovation, safety and service excellence,<ref>[http://www.venturerepublic.com/resources/Singapore_Airlines_-_An_Excellent_Asian_Brand.asp Singapore Airlines{{ndash}} An Excellent Asian Brand], Venture Republic, retrieved [[2 January]] [[2007]]</ref> coupled with consistent profitability.<ref>[http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.0955-6419.2004.00298.x?cookieSet=1&journalCode=busr Cost-Effective Service Excellence: Lessons from Singapore Airlines], [[Business Strategy Review]], retrieved [[2 January]] [[2007]]</ref> It has won numerous awards<REF>{{cite web |title= Our achievements |publisher= Singapore Airlines |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/news/achievements.jsp |accessdate= 2008-02-02}}</ref> and is an industry bellwether for aircraft purchases.<ref>{{cite web |publisher= [[Ottawa Citizen]] |date= |title= Airbus wins $2.7B deal |url= http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/business/story.html?id=2abbd9ec-4e91-41ad-b093-eac5336e1c0c }}</ref> The airline was Asia's first and the world's third airline to be accredited by [[IATA]] with the IOSA (IATA Operations Safety Audit).<ref>[http://www.iata.org/ps/services/iosa/operators/Singapore+Airlines.htm IOSA{{ndash}} IATA Operational Safety Audit], IATA website, retrieved [[January 1]], [[2007]]</ref>
==History==
===Origins===
[[Image:24081987.jpg|thumb|An [[Airspeed Consul]] (VR-SCD){{ndash}} the first aircraft type operated by Malayan Airways, which was the forerunner of Singapore Airlines]]
Singapore Airlines began with the incorporation of [[Malaysia-Singapore Airlines|Malayan Airways Limited]] (MAL) on [[12 October]] [[1947]], by the Ocean Steamship Company of Liverpool, the Straits Steamship Company of Singapore and [[Imperial Airways]]. The airline's first flight was a chartered flight from the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Straits Settlement]] of [[Singapore]] to [[Kuala Lumpur]] on [[2 April]] [[1947]] using an [[Airspeed Consul]] twin-engined airplane.<ref>{{cite web|title= Telekom Malaysia and Malaysia Airlines Synergise Business Relationship |publisher= [[Telekom Malaysia]] Berhad |accessdate= 2007-09-03 |url= http://www.tm.com.my/about_TM/newsroom/2004/041123_2.htm}}</ref> Regular weekly scheduled flights quickly followed from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang from [[1 May]] [[1947]] with the same aircraft type.<ref>{{cite web|title= The Creation of Singapore Airlines |publisher= Singapore Airlines |accessdate= 2007-07-01 |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/siastory/history.jsp}}</ref> The airline continued to expand during the rest of the 1940s and 1950s, as other British [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] airlines (such as [[BOAC]] and [[Qantas|Qantas Empire Airways]]) provided technical assistance, as well as assistance in joining [[IATA]].{{Fact|date=October 2007}} By 1955, Malayan Airways' fleet had grown to include a large number of [[Douglas DC-3]]s, and went [[PLC|public]] in 1957. Other aircraft operated in the first two decades included the [[C-54 Skymaster|Douglas DC-4 Skymaster]], the [[Vickers Viscount]], the [[Lockheed Constellation|Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation]], the [[Bristol Britannia]], the [[De Havilland Comet#Comet 4|de Havilland Comet 4]] and the [[Fokker F27]].
When [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]], [[Singapore]], [[Sabah]] and [[Sarawak]] formed the [[Federation of Malaysia]] in 1963, the airline's name was changed, from "Malayan Airways" to "Malaysian Airlines" (though still abbreviated to MAS). MAS also took over [[Borneo Airways]]. In 1966, following Singapore's separation from the federation, the airline's name was changed again, to [[Malaysia-Singapore Airlines]] (MSA). The next year saw a rapid expansion in the airline's fleet and route, including the purchase of MSA's first [[Boeing]] aircraft, the [[Boeing 707]]s, as well the completion of a new high-rise headquarters in Singapore. [[Boeing 737]]s were added to the fleet soon after.
===Incorporation and growth===
[[Image:Singapore Airlines SIA 747-412.jpg|thumb|right|A Singapore Airlines [[Boeing 747-400]], dubbed ''Megatop'', at [[Auckland Airport]], [[New Zealand]]. The ''Megatop'' was the flagship of the airline from 1989 until the introduction of the [[Airbus A380]] in October 2007]]
MSA ceased operations in 1972, when political disagreements between Singapore and Malaysia resulted in the formation of two entities: Singapore Airlines and [[Malaysia Airlines|Malaysian Airlines System]].<ref>{{cite news | title = Life | publisher = Asiaone | accessdate = 2007-02-01 | url =http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/dream/life/life.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= Past, Present & Moving Forward |publisher= Malaysia Airlines |accessdate= 2007-02-01 |url= http://hq.malaysiaairlines.com/mh/eng/about_us/corporate_info/past_present_and_moving_forward/evolution.asp}}</ref><ref>{{ cite web |title= The Creation of Singapore Airlines |publisher= Singapore Airlines |accessdate= 2007-02-01|url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/siastory/history.jsp}}</ref> Singapore Airlines kept all 10 of MSA's [[Boeing]] 707s and 737s, retained the international routes out of Singapore as well as the existing corporate headquarters in the city, with J.Y. Pillay, former joint chief of MSA as its first chairperson. Female flight attendants continued to wear the ''[[sarong]] [[kebaya]]'' uniform, which had been first introduced in 1968. A local start up [[advertising]] company, [[Batey Ads]] was given the right to market the airline, eventually selecting the sarong and kebaya-clad air stewardesses as an icon for the airline and calling them [[Singapore Girls]].
SIA saw rapid growth during the 1970s, adding cities in the [[Indian subcontinent]] and Asia, and adding [[Boeing 747]]s to its fleet. The 1980s saw the new services to [[United States]], [[Canada]], and European cities with [[Madrid, Spain|Madrid]] becoming the first [[Hispanic]] city to be served by SIA.
[[Boeing 747-400]]s were introduced into the SIA fleet in 1989 and named ''Megatops''. They were later complemented by [[Boeing 777]]s, [[Airbus A310]]s and [[Airbus A340]]s. Services were extended to southern Africa in the 1990s, when the airline began flights to [[Johannesburg]] in [[South Africa]]. The cities of [[Cape Town]] and [[Durban]] were subsequently introduced to the route network.
===Modern history===
In 2004, SIA began non-stop trans-Pacific flights from Singapore to [[Los Angeles]] and [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark]], utilising the [[Airbus A340|Airbus A340-500]]. These flights marked the first non-stop air services between Singapore and the [[United States of America|USA]]. The Singapore to Newark flight is the record for the longest scheduled commercial flight, with a flying time of over 18 hours each way. Beginning in May 2008 Singapore Airlines will begin converting the five [[Airbus A340|Airbus A340-500]] to a business class model only for its routes to Newark and Los Angeles.<ref>http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-allbiz4mar04,1,3403241.story</ref>
At a Cabinet meeting on [[22 February]] [[2006]], the [[Government of Australia]] decided not to grant [[Freedoms of the air#Fifth freedom|fifth freedom]] rights to Singapore Airlines on flights from [[Australia]] to the [[United States]].{{Fact|date=May 2007}} Singapore Airlines had argued that transpacific flights from Australia suffered from under-capacity, leading to limited competition and relatively high air fares. {{Fact|date=May 2007}} The move was seen as a measure taken to protect [[Qantas]] from increased competition. <ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/02/21/bloomberg/sxsia.php Australia rebuffs bid by Singapore Airlines{{ndash}} International Herald Tribune<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> SIA had encountered such protectionist measures in the past when SIA was shut out from the [[Toronto]] market after complaints from [[Air Canada]], and was forced to stop flying Boeing 747-400s into Jakarta in the wake of protests from [[Garuda Indonesia]] when it could not use similar equipment to compete.<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/1991/11/23/sing_0.php Growing Pains at Singapore Airlines: Carrier's Expansion Is Running Into Global and Regional Competition - International Herald Tribune]</ref>
====A380====
[[Image:SIA Airbus A380, 9V-SKA, SIN 3 resized.jpg|thumb|left|Singapore Airlines [[Airbus A380]]]]
On [[September 29]], [[2000]], SIA announced an order for 25 Airbus A3XX (as the A380 was known at the time). The US$8.6 billion order comprised a firm order of 10 aircraft, with options on another 15 airframes.<ref>[http://www.a380.singaporeair.com/news_pr_20000929.html Singapore Airlines Announces US$8.6 Billion Airbus A3XX* Order]</ref> The order was confirmed by Singapore Airlines on [[July 12]], [[2001]].
In January 2005, the airline unveiled the slogan "First to Fly the A380 - Experience the Difference in 2006", to promote itself as the first airline to take delivery of the [[Airbus A380|A380-800]], which was expected to take place in the second quarter of 2006.<ref>[http://www.a380.singaporeair.com/news_pr_20050105.html SIA Reveals The "First to fly" Logo For Its A380]</ref> In June 2005, Airbus confirmed that due to unforeseen technical problems, initial deliveries of the [[Airbus A380]] would be delayed by up to six months,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4598779.stm Airbus confirms super-jumbo delay] (BBC News: [[June 1]], [[2005]])</ref> with the first delivery now slated for November 2006. The announcement was met with fury by SIA's [[chief executive officer]], [[Chew Choon Seng]], who threatened to sue Airbus, saying:
{{cquote | Airbus took some time to acknowledge the delay in the timetable for the A380's entry into service…I would have expected more sincerity.<ref>{{cite news |publisher= AFP |date= [[7 August]] [[2005]] |title= Singapore Airlines chief furious at A380 delay, threatens to sue Airbus |url=http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/050806/1/3u1d9.html }}</ref>}}
He further stated that SIA will be turning its attention to Boeing instead, since it would be receiving the [[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-300ER]] before the A380. Nevertheless, SIA has indicated that this would not affect its promotional campaign.
In February 2006, the first A380 in full Singapore Airlines livery was flown to Singapore, where it was displayed at [[Asian Aerospace]] 2006. On [[June 14]], [[2006]], Singapore Airlines placed an initial order for the [[Boeing 787]] as part of its future aircraft expansion. The order consisted of 20 787-9s and rights for 20 more. This order came one day after Airbus announced that the A380 superjumbo would be delayed by another 6 months.
A third delay was announced on [[3 October]] [[2006]], pushing the initial delivery of the first A380 to October 2007. <ref>[http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/06_10_03_a380_delays_company_restructuring_plan.html Airbus Confirms Further A380 Delay and Launches Company Restructuring Plan] (Airbus: [[October 3]], [[2006]])</ref>
On [[25 October]] [[2007]], the first commercial A380 service, flight number SQ 380,<ref>{{cite news |title=First A380 Flight on 25-26 October |url=http://www.a380.singaporeair.com/content/news/newsrelease/20070816/index.html |publisher=Singapore Airlines |date=2007-08-16 |accessdate=2007-08-16 }}</ref> flew 455 passengers from Singapore to Sydney, touching down in [[Sydney Airport]] at 5:24 pm local time, where it received significant attention from the media.<ref>{{cite news |title=Superjumbo in Sydney on maiden flight |url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=290092 |publisher= ninemsn |date=2007-10-25 |accessdate=2007-10-25}}</ref> The airline donated all revenue generated from the flight to three charities in a ceremony the next day in Sydney. SIA began regular services with the A380 on [[28 October]] [[2007]].
==Corporate management==
Singapore Airlines is the parent airline company of the Singapore Airlines Group of companies.<ref>{{cite web|publisher= Singapore Airlines |title=Parent Airline Operations Lift Group Profit |accessdate = 2007-09-03 |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/docs/company_info/investor/financial/NewsReleaseFY0607.pdf }}</ref> The [[Government of Singapore|Singapore government]] investment and [[holding company]], [[Temasek Holdings]]<ref>{{cite web|publisher= Singapore Airlines |title=Singapore Airlines Annual Report 2006-07|accessdate= 2007-09-06 |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/docs/company_info/investor/annual/SIA_AnnReport0607.pdf? |page=80 }}</ref> is the majority shareholder with 54% shareholding.<ref>{{cite web|publisher= [[Temasek Holdings]] |title=Major Investments |date= [[31 March]] [[2007]] |url= http://www.temasekholdings.com.sg/our_portfolio_portfolio_highlights_major_investments.htm }}</ref> The Singapore government has regularly stressed its non-involvement in the management of the company, a point emphasised by [[Minister Mentor]] [[Lee Kuan Yew]] when he declared that the aviation hub status of [[Singapore Changi Airport]] will be defended, even at the cost of SIA.<ref>{{cite news |title=Singapore moves to defend air-hub status as no-frills rivalry heats up |publisher= [[USA Today]] |date= [[7 April]] [[2005]] |url= http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-04-07-singapore-hub_x.htm |accessdate= 2007-09-01 }}</ref> However, he was personally involved in defusing tensions between the company and its pilots,<ref>{{cite web|publisher= Little Speak |title=A lot more active |date= [[12 November]] [[2006]] |url= http://www.littlespeck.com/content/politics/CTrendsPolitics-061112.htm }}</ref> warned the airline to cut costs,<ref>{{cite web|publisher= [[The Taipei Times]] |title=SIA could lag as challengers rise |date= [[15 January]] [[2004]] |url= http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/worldbiz/archives/2004/01/15/2003087724 }}</ref> and made public his advice to the airline to divest from its [[Singapore Airlines subsidiaries|subsidiary companies]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher= Airline Industry Information |title=Minister says Singapore Airlines should sell off two subsidiaries |date= [[30 December]] [[2005]] |url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CWU/is_2005_Dec_30/ai_n15978112 }}</ref> Still, independent research typically rates the airline as practicing sound [[corporate governance]] policies in accordance with national regulations.<ref>{{cite web|publisher= Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC. |title=Proxy Paper — Singapore Airlines Limited |date= [[29 July]] [[2006]] |url= http://www.glasslewis.com/downloads/sampleresearch/proxypaper/singaporeairlines.pdf }}</ref> In the lead up to the conclusion of the [[Open Skies Agreement]] with the [[United Kingdom]] on [[2 October]] [[2007]], the Singapore aviation authorities referred to the airline's [[Financial audit|audited]] [[annual report]]s to dispel the notion that SIA receives state funding, subsidies or preferential treatment from the government, despite being a [[Government-linked company]].<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.todayonline.com/articles/216291.asp|title= Open books to open skies|publisher= [[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Today]]|date= 2007-10-12|accessdate= 2007-10-12 |first= Wee Keat|last=Leong}}</ref>
===Structure===
{{main|Singapore Airlines subsidiaries}}
Singapore Airlines has diversified into related industries and sectors, including [[Aircraft ground handling|ground handling]], aircraft leasing, aviation engineering, air [[catering]], and [[tour operator|tour operations]]. It has also restructured itself by hiving off operational units as fully-owned subsidiaries to maintain its core business as a passenger airline. The Singapore Airlines Group comprised 25 subsidiary companies, 32 associated companies, and two joint venture companies in the financial year ending [[31 March]] [[2007]]. SIA sold all its equity share of 35.5% in a joint venture, [[Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise]], to the [[Bank of China]] for US$980m on [[15 December]] [[2006]]<ref>[http://www.saleleasing.com/content_press_release.php?oid=press_release&limit=5# BOC Aviation]</ref>. There have recently been suggestions to divest [[SIA Engineering Company]] and [[Singapore Airport Terminal Services]], two of SIA's largest subsidiaries. [[Minister Mentor]] [[Lee Kuan Yew]], for one, voiced his opinion in December 2005 that Singapore Airlines should divest these two companies to focus on its core business of air transportation.<ref>{{cite news|first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= On the prowl for independence|url= http://www.todayonline.com/articles/99578.asp|work= |publisher= [[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Today]]|date= [[7 February]] [[2006]]|accessdate= 2007-09-03 }}</ref> Although Singapore Airlines has evaluated the divestment opportunity, no tentative plan has been announced to date.<ref>{{cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Singapore Airlines Limited Proxy Paper|url= http://www.glasslewis.com/downloads/sampleresearch/proxypaper/singaporeairlines.pdf |work= |publisher= [[Glass Lewis]] and Co.|date= [[29 June]] [[2006]]|accessdate= 2007-09-03 }}</ref>
Major companies in Singapore Airlines Group include:
<center>
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:98%;"
|-
!Company||Type||Principal activities||Incorporated in||Group's Equity Shareholding<br>([[31 March]] [[2007]])
|-
|[[International Engine Component Overhaul]] Private Limited||Joint venture||Aircraft overhaul||[[Singapore]]||41%
|-
|[[SIA Engineering Company]] Limited||Subsidiary||Engineering||[[Singapore]]||81.9%
|-
|[[SilkAir]] (Singapore) Private Limited||Subsidiary||[[Airline]]||[[Singapore]]||100%
|-
|[[Singapore Aero Engine Services Private Limited]]||Joint venture||Engine overhaul||[[Singapore]]||41%
|-
|[[Singapore Airlines Cargo]] Private Limited||Subsidiary||[[Cargo airline]]||[[Singapore]]||100%
|-
|[[Singapore Airport Terminal Services]] Limited||Subsidiary||[[Holding company]]||[[Singapore]]||81.9%
|-
|[[Singapore Flying College]] Private Limited||Subsidiary||[[Flight school]]||[[Singapore]]||100%
|-
|[[TajSATS]] Air Catering||Joint Venture||[[Catering]]||[[India]]||50%
|-
|[[Tiger Airways]] Private Limited||Associate||[[Low-cost carrier|Low-Cost Airline]]||[[Singapore]]||49%
|-
|[[Virgin Atlantic Airways|Virgin Atlantic Limited]]||Associate||[[Holding company]]||[[United Kingdom]]||49%
|}
</center>
===Operational investments===
[[Image:singapore.airlines.b747-400.9v-spa.arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-412]] taking off from [[London Heathrow Airport]]]]
The airline has invested in other airlines in a bid to expand beyond its Singapore base, although the results are often financially negative. In 1989, it went into a tripartite alliance with [[Delta Air Lines]] and [[Swissair]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE7DA1F38F93AA3575AC0A963958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print|title=Delta Seeks to Expand Its Tie With Three Airlines in Europe}}</ref> but terminated their partnership in 1999 after divesting their 5% equity stake in each other's company. The airline purchased 25% of [[Air New Zealand]] in 2000. However following the near collapse of [[Air New Zealand]] the [[politics of New Zealand|New Zealand government]] bought into the airline to rescue it from bankruptcy, reducing Singapore Airlines' stake to 4.5%. This was subsequently sold in October 2004 at a substantial loss.
[[Image:singapore b747-400 9v-spo onground arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boeing 747-400]] lined up for take off at [[London Heathrow Airport]], [[England]]]]
SIA bought a 49% stake in [[Virgin Atlantic Airways]] on [[30 March]] [[2000]] worth 600 million [[Pound sterling|pounds]] in cash<ref>{{cite news|first= Shu-Ching Jean|last= Chen|authorlink= Chen Shu-Ching Jean|coauthors= |title= Branson May Spread Wings Unbound In Asia|url= http://www.forbes.com/markets/2007/07/11/sia-virgin-branson-markets-equity-cx_jc_0711markets1.html |work= |publisher= [[Forbes]]|date= [[11 July]] [[2007]]|accessdate= 2007-09-03 }}</ref> in the hope of leveraging on it on the lucrative transatlantic market, but by 2007, there has been reports of underperformance and the possibility of divesting its stake.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKL0955460420070709?rpc=44 Report says Singapore Air may sell Virgin Atlantic stake | Reuters]</ref> On [[14 May]] [[2008]], the company formally announced an invitation for offers for its Virgin Atlantic stake, and publicly acknowledged that its stake in the airline has "underperformed"<ref>[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/347747/1/.html|SIA invites offers for its 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic]</ref>. In September 2004, the airline entered the [[low-cost carrier]] market by establishing [[Tiger Airways]] with a 49% stake, in partnership with Indigo Partners LLC, the investment firm founded by [[Bill Franke]], (24%); Irelandia Investments Limited, the private investment arm of [[Tony Ryan]] and his family, (16%); and [[Temasek Holdings]] Pte Ltd (11%).
===Labour===
The Singapore Airlines Group employed a total of 29,457 staff members at the end of the fiscal year on [[31 March]] [[2007]].<ref> {{cite web|publisher= Singapore Airlines |title=Singapore Airlines Annual Report 2006-07|accessdate= 2007-09-06 |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/docs/company_info/investor/annual/SIA_AnnReport0607.pdf?}}</ref> The parent airline itself employed 13,942 (47.3%), of which there are 2,174 pilots and 6,914 cabin crew. The group's employees are represented by five labour unions, namely the Singapore Airlines Staff Union (SIASU), the SIA Engineering Company Engineers and Executives Union (SEEU), the Singapore Airport Terminal Services Workers' Union (SATSWU), the Air Transport Executives Staff Union (AESU) and the Air Line Pilots' Association Singapore (ALPA-S).
Relations between the labour unions and the group management has been testy at times, particularly after wage cuts, retrenchments, and early retirement affected staff morale during and after difficult economic conditions such as the [[SARS]] outbreak in 2003.<ref>[http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279502 Low Morale at Singapore Airlines - Article in The Straits Times]</ref> The ALPA-S alone has been involved in no less than 24 disputes with group management since its registration in May 1981 (itself formed after its predecessor, the Singapore Airlines Pilots Association had 15 EXCO members charged and convicted for initiating illegal industrial action in 1980 in the wake of disputes with management and the SIAPA was deregistered on [[26 February]] [[1981]]) up to [[30 November]] [[2003]], when the [[Ministry of Manpower]] amended the Trade Unions Act to overule an item in ALPA-S's constitution requiring formal ratification from the general membership for negotiation agreements involving the executive committee.<ref> [http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/press_room/press_releases/2003/20031130-PrimeMinistersOfficePressStatementImprovingLabourRelationsInSingaporeAirlines.html Prime Minister's Office Press Statement: Improving Labour Relations in Singapore Airlines (SIA)]</ref> In 2007, the airline was in the spotlight again when ALPA-S disagreed with the management's proposed salary rate for pilots flying the Airbus A380,<ref> [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/272407/1/.html SIA's latest offer in A380-pilot wage dispute rejected]</ref> and the case had to be settled by the Industrial Arbitration Court.<ref> [http://travel.asiaone.com/Travel/News/Story/A1Story20070609-13263.html SIA pilots reject last-ditch offer to settle A380 pay dispute]</ref> The salary ranges of SIA's pilots were made public during the first day of the hearings, and the press noted that the airline's 935 captains who fly the Boeing 777 received higher salaries (over S$270,000) at the mid-point of their salary brackets compared to the company's 36 vice-presidents (S$233,270).<ref> [http://travel.asiaone.com/Travel/News/Story/A1Story20070609-13259.html Boeing 777 captains get higher pay than SIA vice-presidents]</ref>
Disputes have also affected the unions, some so severe that they have attracted the intervention of the government. The internal feuding in ALPA-S which led to the ousting of the entire 22-member executive committee on [[17 November]] [[2003]] was attributed to "internal politics" and theories that it may involve former pilots, including those involved in the deregistration of SIAPA.<ref> [http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/storyprintfriendly/0,1887,221800,00.html? <!-- You have to be a subscriber to read this news story! -->SQ pilots under political pressure]</ref> In January 2008, NTUC secretary-general [[Lim Swee Say]] spoke up against legal action by parties involved in an internal dispute in SIASU.<ref> [http://www.asiaone.com/News/The%2BStraits%2BTimes/Story/A1Story20080130-47296.html SIA union urged to settle internal feud]</ref>
On [[2 April]] [[2007]] the airline group and its unions jointly launched the "Singapore Airlines Group Union-Management Partnership" and the Labour Movement 2011 (LM2011) in a bid to improve their relations, each pledging to be "pro-worker" and "pro-business" respectively.<ref> [http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/press_release/JointReleaseOnLM2011.jsp Singapore Airlines Group Union-Management Partnership And LM2011]</ref> In April 2008, the airline's chairman Stephen Lee described the relations between management and the unions as "stable and cordial" in the last two years, with better communication between them. He alluded that several government figures, including Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, has intervened to help alleviate differences, and that there has been more regular meetings and exchanges between the two sides.<ref> [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/342550/1/.html SIA says state of ties between management and unions is stable]</ref>
===Financial performance===
<center>
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:97%; text-align:right;"
|+Singapore Airlines Group Financial Highlights<ref name=SA_annual_report/><ref name=SA_annual_report_0708/>
|-
!Year ended||Revenue<br>(S$m)||Expenditure<br>(S$m)||Operating profit<br>(S$m)||Profit before<br>taxation (S$m)||Profit attributable to<br>equity holders (S$m)||[[Earnings per share|EPS]] after tax<br>– diluted (cents)
|-
|[[31 March]] [[1999]]||7,795.9||6,941.5||854.4||1,116.8||1,033.2||80.6
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2000]]||9,018.8||7,850.0||1,168.8||1,463.9||1,163.8||91.4
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2001]]||9,951.3||8,604.6||1,346.7||1,904.7||1,549.3||126.5
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2002]]||9,382.8||8,458.2||924.6||925.6||631.7||51.9
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2003]]||10,515.0||9,797.9||717.1||976.8||1,064.8||87.4
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2004]]||9,761.9||9,081.5||680.4||820.9||849.3||69.7
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2005]]||12,012.9||10,657.4||1,355.5||1,829.4||1,389.3||113.9
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2006]]||13,341.1||12,127.8||1,213.3||1,662.1||1,240.7||101.3
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2007]]||14,494.4||13,180.0||1,314.4||2,284.6||2,128.8||170.8
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2008]]||15,972.5||13,848.0||2,124.5||2,547.2||2,049.4||166.1
|}
</center>
===Operating performance===
<center>
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:97%; text-align:right;"
|+Singapore Airlines Operating Highlights (Parent Airline Company only)<ref name=SA_annual_report>{{cite web |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/investor/annual_report.jsp|title= Annual Report|accessdate=2008-02-03 |format= |work= }}</ref><ref name=SA_annual_report_0708>{{cite web |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/docs/company_info/investor/financial/NewsReleaseFY0708.pdf|title= Annual Report 07/08|accessdate=2008-05-18 |format= |work= }}</ref>
|-
!Year ended||Passengers<br>(thousand)||[[Revenue passenger kilometre|RPK]]<br>(million)||[[Available seat kilometre|ASK]]<br>(million)||Load factor<br>(%)||Yield<br>(S¢/km)||Unit cost<br>(cents/ASK)||Breakeven load<br>factor (%)
|-
|[[31 March]] [[1993]]||8,640||37,860.6||53,100.4||71.3||10.5||-||-
|-
|[[31 March]] [[1994]]||9,468||42,328.3||59,283.3||71.4||10.1||-||-
|-
|[[31 March]] [[1995]]||10,082||45,412.2||64,053.9||70.9||9.9||-||-
|-
|[[31 March]] [[1996]]||11,057||50,045.4||68,555.3||73.0||9.4||-||-
|-
|[[31 March]] [[1997]]||12,022||54,692.5||73,511.4||74.4||9.0||-||-
|-
|[[31 March]] [[1998]]||11,957||54,441.2||77,221.6||70.5||9.5||-||-
|-
|[[31 March]] [[1999]]||12,777||60,299.9||83,191.7||72.5||8.6||-||-
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2000]]||13,782||65,718.4||87,728.3||74.9||9.1||-||-
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2001]]||15,002||71,118.4||92,648.0||76.8||9.4||7.5||70.2
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2002]]||14,765||69,994.5||94,558.5||74.0||9.0||6.4||71.1
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2003]]||15,326||74,183.2||99,565.9||74.5||9.1||6.7||73.6
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2004]]||13,278||64,685.2||88,252.7||73.3||9.2||6.7||72.8
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2005]]||15,944||77,593.7||104,662.3||74.1||10.1||7.0||69.3
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2006]]||16,995||82,741.7||109,483.7||75.6||10.6||7.5||70.8
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2007]]||18,346||89,148.8||112,543.8||79.2||10.9||7.9||72.5
|-
|[[31 March]] [[2008]]||19,120||91,485.2||113,919.1||80.3||12.1||8.4||69.4
|}
</center>
==Branding==
[[Image:Singapore Airlines flight attendants.jpg|thumb|right|Female [[flight attendants]], known as the [[Singapore Girl]]s, are heavily marketed as the airline's icon.]]
{{main|Singapore Girl}}
Branding and publicity efforts have revolved primarily around flight crew,<ref> {{cite book | author=Heracleous, Loizos | title=Flying High in a Competitive Industry: Cost-effective Service Excellence at Singapore Airlines | publisher=McGraw-Hill | year=2006|id=ISBN 0071249648}}</ref> in contrast to most other airlines, who tend to emphasize aircraft and services in general. In particular, the promotion of female flight attendants known as [[Singapore Girl]]s has been widely successful and is a common feature in most of the airline's advertisements and publications. This branding strategy aims to build a mythical aura around the Singapore Girl, and portray her as representative of Asian hospitality and grace and the airline's training program for both cabin and technical flight crew complement this objective.
Dressed in a version of the Malay ''[[Sarong|Sarong Kebaya]]'' designed by [[Pierre Balmain]] in 1968,<ref>{{cite web|title= The Creation of Singapore Airlines |publisher= Singapore Airlines |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/siastory/history.jsp |date 2007 }}</ref> the uniform of the Singapore Girl has remained largely unchanged. The male flight attendant wears light-blue business jackets and grey trousers.
Although a successful marketing image for the airline, the "Singapore Girl" emphasis received criticisms for its portrayal of women as subservient to males. Feminist groups say that its cultural references are outdated and that most Singaporean women today are modern and independent.<ref>{{cite news |title= Singapore Girl faces makeover as airline looks to update image|author= Jan Dahinten |publisher= [[The Scotsman]] |date= [[19 January]] [[2007]] |url= http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=97702007}}</ref>
On [[9 January]] [[2007]], the airline announced it would put to tender its existing advertising contract with [[Batey Ads]], the Singaporean company headed by founder Ian Batey, who was responsible for building up the Singapore Girl brand name and its partner since 1972.<ref> {{cite news |title= SIA will tender out coveted ad contract |author= Karamjit Kaur |publisher= [[The Straits Times]] |date= [[9 January]] [[2007]] |url= }}</ref> The image of the Singapore Girl would still remain, although SIA will now focus on advertising and promoting its modern fleet and technology instead. On [[16 April]] [[2007]], the airline appointed [[New York City|New York]]-based advertising agent [[TBWA\]] to handle its creative advertising for the airline. The contract is worth [[Singapore dollar|S$]]50 million per year over the following five years. Stephen Forshaw, SIA's Vice-President of Public Affairs, said they will start the new branding campaign "as early as there is a practicable opportunity". This change in advertising agency will not affect SIA's buying media agency, which is presently [[MEC]].<ref> {{cite news|title= SIA's their biggest win |author= Tor Ching Li |publisher= [[Today (Singapore newspaper)|Today]] |date= [[17 April]] [[2007]] |url= http://www.todayonline.com/articles/183594.asp}}</ref>
The livery of Singapore Airlines includes the "bird" (also known as the Silver Kris) logo on the tailfin, which has remained unchanged since Singapore Airlines' inception, but the logotype and stripes used since 1972 were changed in 1988 to the ones still in use today. The livery had a recent change, which saw the "Singapore Airlines" logotype enlarged and moved towards the front, in a similar fashion to the livery variant used on the Airbus A380, but the stripes and the "bird" remained the same.
==Services==
Singapore Airlines have received numerous awards for the standard of service it provides. It claims to be "The World's Most Awarded Airline".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://60years.singaporeair.com/global_icon.asp |title=Global Icon — the Singapore Girl|accessdate=2007-10-08 |format= |work=Singapore Airlines }}</ref> In the 29th annual Zagat survey by US pollsters<ref>{{cite web|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6412507.stm |title= Zagat eyes global guidance |accessdate= 2008-01-10 |author= Matthew Wells |date= 2007-03-05 |work= BBC News 24 Business Report |publisher= British Broadcasting Corporation |quote= It is the best selling book in New York every day of the year.
The modest maroon cover of the Zagat Survey has now become a familiar sight in 85 of the world's largest cities, incorporating the critical insights of almost 300,000 people. }}</ref>
in November 2007, SIA was placed first in both premium and economy classes while additionally topping the poll for its website and for comfort, service, and food in all classes.<ref name="Alice3">{{cite web
|url=http://www.zagat.com/downloads/pdf/IntAirline07ALL.pdf |title= International Airlines 2007 |accessdate= 2008-01-10 |author= Audrey Farolino |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= Curt Gathje, Karen Hudes |date= 2007-11-20 |format= pdf |work=World Independent News |publisher= Zagat Survey LLC |quote="This airline (a Star Alliance member) is rated No.1 once again."
}}</ref>
===In-flight services===
====Cabins====
Singapore Airlines announced a major upgrade to its cabin and in-flight service on [[17 October]] [[2006]],<ref>{{cite news|title= Singapore Airlines Unveils The World's Best Flying Experience |publisher= Singapore Airlines |date= [[17 October]] [[2006]] |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/press_release/NE_5606.jsp}}</ref> its first major overhaul in over 8 years and costing the airline about [[S$]]570 million.<ref>{{cite news |title= SIA promises more luxury with new aircraft |author= [[Karamjit Kaur]] |publisher= [[The Straits Times]] |date= [[1 January]] [[2007]] }}</ref> Initially planned for its [[Airbus A380|Airbus A380-800]]'s introduction into service in 2006, and subsequently on the [[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-300ER]], the postponement of the first A380-800 delivery meant it had to be introduced with the launch of the first Boeing 777-300ER with the airline on [[5 December]] [[2006]] between Singapore and Paris.<ref>{{cite news|title= World's Best Flying Experience Begins Tomorrow |publisher= Singapore Airlines |date= [[4 December]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/press_release/NE_6506.jsp}}</ref>
=====First class=====
[[Image:Singapore Airlines Suites.jpg|thumb|The Singapore Airlines Suites]]
There are four variations of the [[first class travel|first class cabin]], although the ''Singapore Airlines Suites'' class is designated by Singapore Airlines as a "Class Beyond First"<ref>[http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/new/suite/index.jsp Singapore Airlines Suites]</ref> and uses a different fare code (R).
The ''Suites'' product, designed by French luxury yacht interior designer Jean-Jacques Coste consists of separate compartments with walls and doors 1.5 m high and is offered only on the new Airbus [[A380]]. The leather seat, upholstered by Poltrona Frau of Italy, is {{in to cm|num=35|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no}} wide (with armrests up and {{in to cm|num=23|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no}} wide when armrests are down) and a {{in to cm|num=23|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no}} [[Liquid crystal display|LCD TV]] screen is mounted on the front wall. The {{in to cm|num=78|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no}} bed is separate from the seat and folds out from the back wall, with several other components of the suite lowering to accommodate the mattress. Windows are built into the doors and [[blinds]] offer privacy. ''Suites'' located in the centre can form a double bed after the privacy blinds between them are retracted into the ceiling.
Introduced on [[17 October]] [[2006]], the "New" First Class on [[777-300ER]] aircraft, designed by James Park Associates features a {{in to cm|num=35|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no}} wide seat upholstered with leather and mahogany and a {{in to cm|num=23|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no}} LCD screen. The seat reclines into a flat bed.
First Class on [[Boeing 747-400]] aircraft features the ''SkySuite'', a seat that is {{in to cm|num=22|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no}} wide and can extend into a 6ft 6in bed. It features a {{in to cm|num=17|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no}} LCD screen and the ''SkySuite'' itself is upholstered in Connolly leather and trimmed with burr wood.
Selected [[Boeing 777-200]]s and all [[Boeing 777-300]] aircraft (used mainly on regional flights) offer sleeper seats that are {{in to cm|num=21|abbr=yes|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=no}} wide.
=====Business class=====
[[Image:Singapore Airlines New BC.jpg|thumb|Business class on the A380 Singapore to Sydney route]]
On Airbus A340-500, Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, a fully-flat bed is available in a 1-2-1 configuration with forward-facing seats, in contrast to the herring-bone configuration used by several other airlines offering flat beds in business class. Arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, the ''New Business Class'' is up to {{convert|34|in|cm|0|abbr=on}} wide. The leather seats feature a {{convert|15.4|in|cm|1|lk=on|abbr=on}} diagonal screen size personal television, in-seat power supply and 2 [[USB]] ports.<ref>[http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/new/businessclass/index.jsp Singapore Airlines Redesigned Business Class], Singapore Airlines, Retrieved on [[October 17]], [[2006]]</ref>
''SpaceBed'' seats are available on the following aircraft: [[Boeing 777-200ER|Boeing 777]] and [[Boeing 747-400|Boeing 747]]. The ''SpaceBed'' seats are {{convert|27|in|cm|0|abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|72|in|cm|0|abbr=on}} long and convert to an angled flat bed. They have a retractable{{convert|10.4|in|cm|1|abbr=on}} personal television.
Traditional ''Ultimo'' business class seats, which do not convert into beds, are offered on all [[777-200|Boeing 777]](excluding the 777-200ER) and [[777-300|Boeing 777]] aircraft in a 2-3-2 configuration.
=====Executive Economy Class=====
[[Premium economy|Executive Economy]] Class is only available on [[Airbus A340#A340-500|Airbus A340-500]] aircraft and replaces the standard economy-class cabins. The seat has 37in seat pitch, 20in width and 150° seat recline, with a 9in personal screen and in-seat power supply at selected seats. A minibar and lounge area is located at the rear of each cabin class on the aircraft where light snacks and drinks are available during the flight <ref>[https://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/cabin/exececonomyclass_seat.jsp Singapore Airlines Executive Economy Class], Singapore Airlines, Retrieved on [[May 6]], [[2007]]</ref>.
Executive Economy Class is being phased out of all Singapore Airlines [[Airbus A340#A340-500|Airbus A340-500]]s in a plan by Singapore Airlines to introduce an all business class service to [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark]] and to [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite press release | url = http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/03-04-2008/0004767056&EDATE=# | title = Singapore Airlines to Launch First All-Business Class Flights From USA to Asia | publisher = [[Singapore Airlines]]}}</ref>
=====Economy class=====
[[Image:Singapore Airlines A380 interior.jpg|thumb|Economy class on the first Singapore Airlines [[Airbus A380]]]]
All [[economy class]] seats in the [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747]] and Boeing 777's (excluding the Boeing 777-300ER) have personal television screens, footrests, adjustable headrests with side-flap "ears" and adjustable seat reclines. Baby [[bassinet]]s are available at some bulkheads.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/cabin/economyclass/index.jsp |title= Economy Class Cabin — Singapore Airlines |accessdate= 2007-05-06 |format= |work= Singapore Airlines }}</ref>
Economy class seats on [[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-300ER]] and [[Airbus A380]] aircraft are 19in wide, offer in-seat power and have a 10.6in personal TV.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/new/economyclass/index.jsp |title= Singapore Airlines Redesigned Economy Class |accessdate= 2006-10-17 |format= |work= Singapore Airlines}}</ref>
====Cuisine====
[[Image:Singapore Airlines inflight meal.jpg|thumb|right|A meal in Economy class, on a flight from [[Los Angeles]] to [[Tokyo]].]]
Singapore Airlines offers ''World Gourmet Cuisine'' in all three classes. Regional dishes are often served on their respective flights, such as the ''Kyo-Kaiseki'', ''Shi Quan Shi Mei'', and ''Shahi Thali'' meals available for first class passengers on flights to Japan, China and India, respectively.
SIA has also introduced a ''Popular Local Fare'' culinary programme offering local favourites to passengers in all classes flying from selected major destinations.
Business and first class passengers may also choose to use the "Book the Cook" service on some flights, where specific dishes may be selected in advance from a more extensive menu.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/dining/bookcook.jsp |title= Book the Cook |accessdate= |format= |work= Singapore Airlines}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cheapflights.com/airlines/singapore.html |title= Travel Tips: Singapore Airlines |accessdate= |format= |work= [[Cheap flights]] }} </ref>
====In-flight entertainment system and communication====
{{main|KrisWorld}}
[[Image:Krisworld Screen.png|thumb|The new KrisWorld]]
Singapore Airline's in-flight entertainment system, [[KrisWorld]], was introduced in 1997. Long-range aircraft using the ''Wiseman 3000'' system offer on-demand movies, audio and [[Nintendo]] games in all classes. Passengers flying ''Singapore Airlines Suites'', ''First Class'' and ''Business Class'' receive active noise-cancelling headphones.
In March 2005, SIA introduced the [[Connexion by Boeing]] in-flight Internet service, and the system was extended to offer live TV in June.<ref> {{cite web| url = http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2004/q4/nr_041201j.html | publisher = Boeing | title = Singapore Airlines and Connexion by Boeing Finalize Plans for High-Speed, In-Flight Connectivity | date= 2 December 2004}}</ref> The service ended in December 2006 when Connexion was ceased by Boeing.
From October 2005, SIA has offered free language lessons in 22 languages<ref>{{cite news| publisher = International Herald Tribune | date= 14 October 2005 | url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-114153082.html | title = Lessons in Flight around the World | author = Daniel Altman}}</ref> and, starting December 2005, live text news feeds.<ref>{{cite web | publisher = Singapore Airlines | date= 12 December 2005 | title = Singapore Airlines Presents Live Text News And Expands Inflight Games Selection| url = http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/press_release/NE_6905.jsp }}</ref>
SIA announced that [[Panasonic Avionics Corporation]] has been selected to create the new KrisWorld, using the new ex<sup>2</sup> system.<ref>{{cite press release|title= Singapore Airlines New IFE System From Panasonic |publisher= Singapore Airlines |date= [[September 23]], [[2006]] |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/zh_TW/content/company_info/press_release/NE_4806.jsp |format= | language = | accessdate = | quote = }}</ref><ref>[http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/entertainment/index.jsp Singapore Airlines Redesigned KrisWorld], Singapore Airlines, [[17 October]] [[2006]]</ref>
* Widescreen LCD TV with 1280 x 768 resolution
* A range of movies, TV, music, games, and interactive programs
* Built-in office software, based on the [[StarOffice|StarOffice Productivity Suite]] for use with the [[universal serial bus|USB]] port
* In-seat AC power port
===Ground services===
Passengers may check-in between two to 48 hours prior to flight departure. This may be done over the counter or at the lounge within the airport. Self-service kiosks are also available at [[Singapore Changi Airport]].
Alternatively, they may check-in at the Singapore Airlines Service Centre at [[The Paragon]] in [[Orchard Road]], through the Internet or by [[short message service]]. Online printing of boarding passes is available through Internet check-in. Passengers on short trips may also check-in on their return flight upon departure from the city of origin.
====Lounges====
The airline's Silver Kris Lounges are open to ''Singapore Airlines Suites'', ''First Class'' and ''Business Class'' passengers in addition to Solitaire PPS Club, PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members. These members may also have access to lounges operated by the airline's partners. These lounges are located in:<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/before/lounges/index.jsp |title= Silver Kris Lounges – Worldwide Lounges |accessdate=2008-02-03 |format= |work= }}</ref>
<div style="-moz-column-count:5; column-count:5;">
* [[Adelaide]]
* [[Amsterdam]]
* [[Bangkok]]
* [[Brisbane]]
* [[Hong Kong]]
* [[Kuala Lumpur]]
* [[London]]
* [[Manila]]
* [[Melbourne]]
* [[Osaka]]
* [[Penang]]
* [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]]
* [[San Francisco]]
* [[Singapore]]
* [[Sydney]]
* [[Taipei]]
</div>
==Frequent-flyer program==
The Singapore Airlines [[frequent flyer program]], has two<ref name="KrisFlyerBenefits">{{cite web|url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/aboutkf/benefits.jsp |title= Your KrisFlyer Benefits at a Glance |accessdate=2007-04-22}}</ref><ref name="PPS">{{cite web|url=http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/aboutpps/index.jsp |title= The PPS Club|accessdate= 2007-04-22}}</ref> categories:
===KrisFlyer===
Miles are earned and redeemed on Singapore Airlines' own services as well as with Krisflyer partners. Partners include all [[Star Alliance]] members, [[SilkAir]], [[Virgin Atlantic]] and numerous hotel chains and car-hire companies.<ref name="PPSPrivileges">{{cite web|url=http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/aboutpps/privileges.jsp|title=PPS Club Privileges at a Glance|accessdate=2007-04-22}}</ref> KrisFlyer is divided into KrisFlyer, KrisFlyer Elite Silver and KrisFlyer Elite Gold, which correspond to Star Alliance [[Star Alliance#Star Alliance Silver|Silver]] and [[Star Alliance#Star Alliance Gold|Gold]], respectively. Elite Silver<ref name="EliteSilver">{{cite web|title= About KrisFlyer Elite Silver -- Singapore Airlines |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/aboutkf/elitesilver.jsp |accessdate= 2007-04-22}}</ref> and Elite Gold<ref name="EliteGold">{{cite web|title= About KrisFlyer Elite Gold -- Singapore Airlines |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/aboutkf/elitegold.jsp |accessdate= 2007-04-25}}</ref> status is given to passengers who have accrued 25,000 and 50,000 miles, respectively, within a 12-month period. The 12-month period is predefined according to when you initially applied for Krisflyer membership, so traveling 25,000 miles over a 12 month period may not qualify for Silver status unless it corresponds with the 12 month period assigned to you by Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines flights in booking classes V, Q, G, N and T (group and promotional fares) and SilkAir flights in booking classes W and L earn no miles.
<ref name="T&C">{{cite web|title= Terms and Conditions|url= https://www.singaporeair.com/saa/Util/showPopup.jspx?method=window&windowUrl=/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/customerservice/terms.jsp |accessdate = 2007-04-22}}</ref>
===The PPS Club===
''Priority Passenger Service'' (PPS)<ref>{{cite news |first=Derrick |last= Paulo |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Priority perks for fewer SIA flyers |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/263620/1/.html |work=[[Channel NewsAsia]] |publisher= |date= 2007-03-13 |accessdate=2008-02-02 }}</ref> is for passengers who have accumulated S$25,000 worth of PPS Value within a year.<ref name="PPSPPS">{{cite web|title= PPS Club Membership - Singapore Airlines |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/aboutpps/pps.jsp |accessdate= 2007-04-25}}</ref> PPS Value is accrued while flying ''Singapore Airlines Suites'', ''First Class'' or ''Business Class'' on Singapore Airlines, or Business Class on SilkAir. The PPS is divided into the PPS Club, Solitaire PPS Club and the Solitaire PPS Club Life.<ref name="PPSSolitaire">{{cite web|url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/aboutpps/solitaire_life.jsp |title= Solitaire PPS Club/Solitaire PPS Club Life Membership |accessdate= 2007-04-22}}</ref>
A member with PPS Club status will qualify for Solitaire PPS Club by accumulating PPS Value of S$250,000 within five years.<ref name="PPSSolitaire">{{cite web|url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/aboutpps/solitaire_life.jsp |title= Solitaire PPS Club/Solitaire PPS Club Life Membership |accessdate=2007-04-22}}</ref> The Solitaire Life PPS Club status was formerly given to members who accrued a total of 1,875,000 miles or 1,000 PPS sectors. Benefits are equal to Solitaire PPS Club members but did not have a re-qualification criteria.<ref name="PPSSolitaire" /> Singapore Airlines has since ceased accepting new Solitaire Life PPS Club members.<ref name="PPSChanges">{{cite web|url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/krisflyer/customerservice/faq/changes_pps.jsp? |title= Changes to the PPS Club Programme — Effective 1 September 2007|accessdate= 2007-04-22}}</ref>
All PPS members have priority check-in, baggage handling, guaranteed Economy Class seats when wait-listed on Business and First Class and have access to the business-class section of the Silver Kris Lounge. Solitaire PPS members and their spouses also access First Class check-in and the First Class sections of Silver Kris Lounge.
==Destinations==
{{main|Singapore Airlines destinations}}
[[Image:SIA Destinations.png|thumb|right|360px|Singapore Airlines flies to 65 destinations in 35 countries on five continents.]]
Singapore Airlines flies to 65 destinations in 35 countries on five continents from its primary hub in Singapore. It has a strong presence in the [[Southeast Asia]]n region, which together with its subsidiary SilkAir, connects Singapore with more international destinations in the region than any other Southeast Asian airline.
The airline has a key role on the [[Kangaroo Route]]. It flew 11.0% of all international traffic into and out of Australia in the month ended March 2008. <ref>http://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/11/Files/0308_M.pdf</ref>
SIA has taken advantage of liberal bilateral aviation agreements between Singapore and Thailand, and with the United Arab Emirates, to offer more onward connections from Bangkok and Dubai respectively. On [[1 September]] [[2005]], for example, it launched six-times weekly flights between [[Bangkok]] and [[Tokyo]]. China and India are major markets which fuelled much of its growth in recent years.{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
The airline's strengths have also invited protectionist measures to keep it out of key foreign markets. In particular, it has been unsuccessful in gaining access on transpacific routes from Australia to the United States. The Australian authorities deferred decisions to allow the airline on the route to the United States from Australia.<ref>{{cite web|publisher= [[Channel NewsAsia]] |title= Australia rules out opening up Qantas' trans-Pacific route to rivals|date= [[8 January]] [[2007]] |url= http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific_business/view/251240/1/.html }}</ref>
SIA has stated that it wants to dramatically expand service to Canada and establish a North America hub in [[Vancouver]], but has complained about being prevented from doing so by Canada's protectionist policies.<ref>[http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/news/business/story.html?id=bc1c8cc1-6ba4-4a55-95a0-0eebe203ab92 Airlines’ The sky that is limited], [[The Vancouver Sun]], retrieved [[7 April]] [[2007]]</ref>
[[AirAsia]], a [[low-cost airline]] based in [[Malaysia]], accused Singapore Airlines of double standards, when it claimed that the [[Government of Singapore]] has attempted to keep it out of the Singapore market,<ref>{{cite news|last= Rochfort |first= Scott |title= Air Asia chief backs Qantas on LA route |publisher= [[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date= [[25 January]] 2005 |url= http://www.smh.com.au/news/Business/Air-Asia-chief-backs-Qantas-on-LA-route/2005/01/24/1106415528093.html |accessdate= 2008-04-01 }}</ref> although there has been no official word that Singapore Airlines has objected to the entry of Air Asia. Singapore Airlines has, instead, welcomed the liberation of the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route which it dominates together with [[Malaysia Airlines]],<ref>http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/25/business/AS-FIN-Singapore-Malaysia-Airline-Route.php</ref><ref>http://www.china.org.cn/english/travel/241889.htm</ref> a route coveted by Air Asia and which was eventually opened up to competition from [[1 February]] [[2008]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Air shuttle service agreement between MAS, SIA out of Competition Act |publisher= [[The Straits Times]] |date= [[25 September]] 2007 |url= http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest+News/Singapore/STIStory_161272.html |accessdate= 2008-04-01 }}</ref><Ref>{{cite press release|title= AirAsia celebrates "People's Day" with the liberalisation of Kuala Lumpur-Singapore Route |publisher= [[AirAsia]] |date= [[1 February]] 2008 |url= http://www.airasia.com/site/sg/en/pressRelease.jsp?id=d2c1e46d-7f000010-1eb7d250-746698c9 |accessdate= 2008-04-01 }}</ref>
===Codeshare agreements===
[[Image:SIA Boeing 747-4H6, 9V-SPR, SIN 2.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boeing 747-400]] at [[Singapore Changi Airport]] in [[Star Alliance]] livery while still maintaining its corporate logo on the tail, the only Star Alliance member to do so.]]
Singapore Airlines has [[codeshare agreement]]s<ref>{{cite web|publisher = Singapore Airlines|date = [[15 August]] [[2007]] |title= Codeshare Partners |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/partners/codeshare_partners.jsp }}</ref> with its fully-owned subsidiary [[SilkAir]]; [[Virgin Atlantic Airways]], in which it owns a 49% stake; [[Malaysia Airlines]]; [[Royal Brunei Airlines]], where it codeshares on selected regional routes; and with many [[Star Alliance]] member airlines of which it became a member in April, 2000.<ref>{{cite web|publisher= Singapore Airlines |date= [[15 August]] [[2007]] |title= Star Alliance Member Airlines |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/partners/star_alliance.jsp }}</ref>
{|class="wikitable sortable collapsible collapsed" style="font-size: 85%" width=60% align=
|+ '''Singapore Airlines — codeshare agreements'''
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
! width="17%" | Airlines
! width="83%" | Destinations
|-
|[[Air Canada]] (SA)
| Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver
|-
|[[Air New Zealand]] (SA)
| Dunedin, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Queenstown, Sydney and Wellington
|-
|[[All Nippon Airways]] (SA)
| Chicago, Kochi, Matsuyama, New York, Okinawa, Osaka, Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Washington
|-
|[[Asiana]] (SA)
|Seoul
|-
|[[EgyptAir]]<ref>{{cite web|publisher= [[EgyptAir]] |date= [[19 August]] [[2007]] |title= EgyptAir — Code Share partner |url= http://www.egyptair.com/English/AboutEgyptAir/CodeSharePartner/ }}</ref>
|Cairo<ref>{{cite web | publisher = [[EgyptAir]] | date = [[19 August]] [[2007]] | title = EgyptAir — Where We Fly | url = http://www.egyptair.com/English/PlanTravel/WhereWeFly/ }}</ref>
|-
|[[Garuda Indonesia]] (from [[1 August]] [[2008]])
| Denpasar<ref>http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/355420/1/.html</ref>
|-
|[[LOT Polish Airlines]] (SA)
| Warsaw
|-
|[[Lufthansa]] (SA)
| Adelaide, Auckland, Barcelona, Berlin, Bilbao, Bremen, Brisbane, Brussels, Budapest, Christchurch, Cologne, Copenhagen, Dresden, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva, Hamburg, Hanover, Helsinki, Leipzig, Lyon, Madrid, Marseille, Melbourne, Milan, Munich, Nice, Nuremberg, Oslo, Paris, Perth, Prague, Rome, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Sydney, Toulouse, Munster and Vienna
|-
|[[Malaysia Airlines]]
| Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur. Kuching and Penang
|-
|[[Saudi Arabian Airlines]]
| Jeddah<ref>http://www.singaporeair.com/mediacentre/pacontent/news/svsq.jsp</ref>
|-
|[[SilkAir]]
| Balikpapan, Chengdu, Chiang Mai, Chongqing, Coimbatore, Da Nang, Kaohsiung, Kathmandu Kochi, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kunming, Langkawi, Manado, Mataram, Medan, Palembang, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Shenzhen, Siem Reap, Solo City, Surabaya, Trivandrum, Xiamen and Yangon
|-
|[[South African Airways]] (SA)
| Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth
|-
|[[US Airways]] (SA)
| Charlotte, Las Vegas, and Phoenix
|-
|[[Virgin Atlantic Airways]]
| Chicago, Boston, Dubai, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, San Francisco and Washington D.C.
|}
===Flight numbers===
[[Image:singapore b747-400 9v-spa arp.jpg|thumb|right|Singapore Airlines [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-400]] 9V-SPA takes off from [[London Heathrow Airport]] bound for [[Singapore Changi Airport]]. The airline uses its main base at Singapore to compete on the lucrative "[[Kangaroo Route]]".]]
Generally, flight numbers are allocated according to geographical regions.<ref>http://www.sqtimetable.com/SQTimetable.pdf Singapore Airlines Timetable</ref> The last major review was implemented on [[29 October]] [[2006]]. Flights to [[South Asia]], which used to share the flight numbers in the SQ400-SQ499 band with [[Southwest Asia]] and [[Africa]]-bound flights, now utilise the SQ500-SQ599 band. Similarly, flights to [[Japan]] and [[Korea]] began using the SQ600-SQ699 range of flight numbers after having shared numbers in the SQ800-SQ999 range with flights to [[Greater China]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/local/OT/before/FlightNo.jsp |title= Flight Re-numbering |publisher= Singapore Airlines }}</ref> This reflects major growths in flights to the two key Asian markets of China and India for the airline.
From [[25 March]] [[2007]], a second round of flight number reshuffling will see some Southeast Asian destinations, namely Manila and Denpasar, being moved into the SQ900-SQ999 slot. Other regional destinations may follow.
{|class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 85%" width= align=
|+ '''Singapore Airlines — flight numbers'''
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
!Range
!Market
|-
|SQ001-SQ099
|[[North America]]
|-
|SQ100-SQ199
|[[Southeast Asia]] ([[Brunei]], [[Malaysia]], [[Vietnam]])
|-
|SQ200-SQ299
|[[Oceania]]
|-
|SQ300-SQ399
|[[Europe]]
|-
|SQ400-SQ499
|[[Southwest Asia]] and [[Africa]]
|-
|SQ500-SQ599
|[[South Asia]]
|-
|SQ600-SQ699
|[[Japan]] and [[Korea]]
|-
|SQ800-SQ899
|[[China]] and [[Taiwan]]
|-
|SQ900-SQ999
|[[Southeast Asia]] ([[Indonesia]], [[Philippines]], [[Thailand]])
|-
|SQ1000-SQ1099
|[[North America]] codeshares with [[Air Canada]] and [[US Airways]]
|-
|SQ2000-SQ2299
|[[Europe]] codeshares with [[Lufthansa]]
|-
|SQ2500-SQ2699
|[[North America]] codeshares with [[Virgin Atlantic Airways]]
|-
|SQ5000-SQ5399
|[[Southeast Asia]] codeshares with [[SilkAir]]
|-
|SQ5400-SQ5499
|[[Southeast Asia]] codeshares with [[Royal Brunei Airlines]]
|-
|SQ5600-SQ5699
|[[Southeast Asia]] codeshares with [[Malaysia Airlines]]
|-
|SQ5700-SQ5799
|[[East Asia]] codeshares with [[Asiana Airlines]]
|-
|SQ5900-SQ5999
|[[East Asia]] codeshares with [[All Nippon Airways]]
|-
|SQ6100-SQ6199
|[[South Africa]] codeshares with [[South African Airways]]
|-
|SQ6700-SQ6999
|[[Oceania]] codeshares with [[Air New Zealand]]
|-
|SQ7000-SQ7999
|[[Singapore Airlines Cargo]] flights
|-
|SQ8000-SQ8999
|(Charter flights)
|}
===Changes===
In the fiscal year commencing [[1 April]] [[2008]], the airline made and planned for increases in frequencies to regional and [[Oceania]] destinations,<ref>[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/339237/1/.html|SIA to increase flights to Shanghai, Australia and Dubai]</ref> including:
'''Asia'''
*[[Denpasar]]: up from 21 to 28 weekly flights from [[1 August]]
*[[Shanghai]]: up from 28 to 35 weekly flights from [[30 March]] (reduced to 28 weekly flights again,<ref>http://airlineroute.blogspot.com/search/label/Singapore%20Airlines</ref>)
* [[Taipei]]: up from 14 to 17 weekly flights from [[4 October]]
* [[Chennai]]: up from 10 to 11 weekly flights from [[30 March]]
*[[Delhi]]: up from 7 to 9 weekly flights from [[30 March]] and to 14 at the end of the year
* [[Bangkok]]: up from 39 to 41 weekly flights from [[18 May]]
*[[Dubai]]: up from 10 to 14 weekly flights from [[18 May]]
*[[Hanoi]]: up from 7 to 10 weekly flights from [[2 July]]
*[[Ho Chi Minh City]]: up from 17 to 21 weekly flights from [[30 March]]
'''Oceania'''
*[[Brisbane]]: up from 14 to 17 weekly flights from [[3 April]] and to 21 weekly flights from [[2 July]]
* [[Sydney]]: up from 21 to 24 weekly flights from [[8 April]] and to 28 weekly flights from [[1 June]]
* [[Auckland]]: up from 11 off-peak season and 14 peak season to 14 year round weekly flights from [[30 March]]
The four weekly flights between Taipei and Los Angeles and the five weekly flights between Bangkok and Osaka will be suspended from [[1 October]] and [[17 May]] respectively.<ref>[http://www.singaporeair.com/mediacentre/pacontent/news/NE_1908.jsp|Schedule Changes Boost Capacity On Regional And South West Pacific Routes]</ref>
Decreases in frequencies also planned
*[[Manchester]]: down from daily to five weekly flights, for winter 2008/09
*[[Amritsar]]: down from 3 to 2 weekly flights from [[5 June]]
==Fleet==
{{main|Singapore Airlines fleet}}
{{Mergefrom|Singapore Airlines fleet|date=May 2008}}
Singapore Airlines operates a wide-body aircraft fleet from four aircraft families: the [[Boeing 747]], the [[Boeing 777]], [[Airbus A380]] and the [[Airbus A340]]. In keeping with its policy of maintaining a young fleet, which stands at an average of 6 years 5 months as at [[31 March]] [[2008]], it renews its fleet frequently.<ref name=SA_annual_report_0708>{{cite web |url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/docs/company_info/investor/financial/NewsReleaseFY0708.pdf|title= Annual Report 07/08|accessdate=2008-05-18 |format= |work= }}</ref>.
The airline names its fleet according to plane makes. The [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-400s]] were called "Megatop", the [[Boeing 777]]s were called "Jubilee" and the [[Airbus A340|Airbus A340-500s]] were named "Leadership". Names for airliners previously flown by the airline include: "Superbus" for the 8 [[Airbus A300]], "3TEN" for the 23 [[Airbus A310|Airbus A310-300]], "Celestar" for the 17 [[Airbus A340|Airbus A340-300]],"Super B" for the 23 [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-200B]], "Big Top" for the 14 [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-300]].{{Fact|date=January 2008}}
Singapore Airlines has never painted an aircraft without its tail livery. Even special liveries such as the Tropical Megatop and the [[Star Alliance]] livery still retain the signature stylised bird on their vertical stabilizers.
===Historical fleet===
;See [[Singapore_Airlines_fleet#Historical fleet|list of historical aircraft fleet]].
Since 1937, the predecessors of Singapore Airlines operated the [[Airspeed Consul]], [[Boeing 707]], [[Boeing 737]], [[Bristol Britannia]], [[Douglas DC-3]], [[C-54 Skymaster|Douglas DC-4 Skymaster]], [[De Havilland Comet#Comet 4|de Havilland Comet 4]], [[Fokker F27]], [[Lockheed Constellation|Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation]] and the [[Vickers Viscount]].<ref name=SIA_history/> Upon its incorporation as Singapore Airlines Limited on [[28 January]] [[1972]], the airline acquired seven [[Boeing 707]]s and five [[Boeing 737]]s from MSA on [[30 September]] [[1972]].{{Fact|date=January 2008}}
Its first purchase since incorporation was for another Boeing 707 from [[Continental Airlines]] which was delivered on [[1 October]] [[1972]].{{Fact|date=January 2008}} The first [[Boeing 747]]-200 for the airline was delivered soon after on [[31 July]] [[1973]], which also marked SIA's first direct delivery of a new aircraft.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} [[Boeing 727]]s were first delivered on [[30 August]] [[1977]], [[Boeing 747]]-300s from [[29 April]] [[1983]], and [[Boeing 757]]s from [[12 November]] [[1984]].{{Fact|date=January 2008}} The airline ordered its first aircraft from Airbus, the [[Airbus A300|A300B4]] in 1979,<ref>{{cite press release|title= Singapore Airlines looks to the future with orders for A380 and A350 XWB |publisher= |date= 2006-07-21 |url= http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/07_21_06_singapore_airlines.html |format= |language= |accessdate= 2008-02-02 |quote= }}</ref> which joined the fleet in 1980. Other Airbus models flown include the [[Airbus 310]] since 1984 and the [[Airbus 340]]-300 from [[26 October]] [[1996]].
The airline ordered the [[McDonnell Douglas MD-11]] on [[16 January]] [[1990]], involving 5 firm orders and 15 options, to operate long-haul routes with demand deemed too thin for the Boeing 747.<ref>[http://md-eleven.net/Operators-The-ones-that-never-were- Operators-The ones that never were!<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> When it was revealed that the aircraft's performance was below expectations in terms of range and fuel burn, the order was cancelled in favour of the Airbus A340-300 with 20 orders. The cancellation was seen as particularly damaging to [[McDonnell Douglas]] due to the company's reputation.<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/1991/08/03/air_.php McDonnell Loses Sale To Airbus - International Herald Tribune]</ref> Airbus in turn suffered a setback, however, when rival Boeing successfully negotiated to take SIA's existing A340-300 fleet as well as any still on order in exchange for 10 orders for the Boeing 777 in 1999,<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/1999/news_release_990618a.html Boeing: Boeing Confirms Singapore Airlines Choice Of 777-200ERs]</ref> prompting an upset Airbus to call the move an "act of desperation" on Boeing's part.<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E02EED7163DF932A35754C0A96F958260 Boeing and Airbus Battle Over Singapore Airline Sales - New York Times]</ref>
In 1977, and from 1979 to 1980, SIA flew a [[Concorde]] that it shared with [[British Airways]].<ref name="sia-conc">As depicted on the reserve of the [http://www.mas.gov.sg/currency/currency_info/notes/bird_series/Singapore_Circulation_Notes_Bird_Series__20.html 20 Dollars] banknote, Bird Series of the Singapore Currency</ref> Concorde G-BOAD had Singapore Airlines' livery on the port side and British Airways' livery on the starboard side. It was used on the London to Singapore via Bahrain service. The service was withdrawn for financial reasons and complaints about noise from the Malaysian government.{{Fact|date=January 2008}}
===Current fleet===
; See [[Singapore_Airlines_fleet#Current fleet by aircraft size|list of current aircraft fleet]].
====Boeing 747====
[[Image:singapore.airlines.b747-400.9v-spa.arp.jpg|thumb|Singapore Airlines [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-412]] taking off from [[London Heathrow Airport]].]]
The [[Boeing 747]]s have been the primary long-range aircraft for the airline since their introduction into the fleet, first with the -212B variant in [[31 July]] [[1973]]. SIA was, at one time, the world's largest operator of the -400 variant when the 34th airframe was delivered on [[13 October]] [[1994]]<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/1995/news.release.951013-a.html Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-400 Fleet World's Largest]</ref> and was the first to fly the aircraft on a commercial trans-Pacific flight.<ref name=SIA_history>{{cite web|url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/siastory/history.jsp|title= SIA History|accessdate=2008-05-18 |format= |work= }}</ref> 9V-SMU, delivered to the airline on [[13 October]] [[1993]], was the 1000th 747 to be delivered by Boeing and was commemorated with the words "1000th Boeing 747" painted on its fuselage.<ref>[http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~sp4m-inb/herpaphoto/sq744collection.html SIA B747-412 9V-SMU "1000 th Boeing747"]</ref>
Boeing 747-412s with registration 9V-SPP and 9V-SPR are painted in Star Alliance livery, though still retaining SIA's corporate logo on the tail. A Boeing 747 registered 9V-SPQ has larger tail logo and titles.
====Boeing 777====
[[Image:SIA777.JPG|thumb|Singapore Airlines [[Boeing 777]]-200 at [[Singapore Changi Airport]] ]]
[[Image:Singapore Airlines B773 9V-SWA.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-300ER]] (9V-SWA), the first of the -300ER variant to be delivered on [[23 November]] [[2006]], completing its first flight to [[Zürich Airport]]. SIA is the world's largest operator of the Boeing 777 family, with 69 in its fleet and another 8 on order and 13 on option.]]
All of Singapore Airlines' 777-212s are the Extended Range (ER) models, featuring centre fuel tanks for maximum storage. The airline, however, has classified only the 9V-SV* registered series of aircraft as 777-200ERs as those planes are certified to 656,000 lb (298,000 kg) [[Maximum Take-Off Weight]] (MTOW) and fly the longer intercontinental routes. The 9V-SR* and 9V-SQ* registered aircraft feature de-rated engines which can be electronically re-programmed to produce more thrust and thus operate longer flights at higher MTOWs if needed.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} The airline announced the order of 19 [[Boeing 777|Boeing 777-300ER]] aircraft in August 2004 with the order signed on 23 December 2004, during which an unused option for the [[Boeing 777]] family was converted into an order for Boeing 777-300ER.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} Singapore Airlines became the world's largest operator of the [[Boeing 777]] when it took delivery of its 58th such aircraft, a Boeing 777-200ER, on [[6 May]] [[2005]],<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CWU/is_2005_May_9/ai_n13679407 Singapore Airlines becomes largest operator of Boeing 777]</ref> and has 71 in its fleet as of [[15 March]] [[2008]].<ref name="SQFleetInfo">{{cite web|title= Singapore Airlines Fleet Information |publisher= Singapore Airlines |date= [[2007-11-03]]|url= http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/siastory/fleet.jsp}}</ref> The airline's new Boeing 777-300ERs entered commercial service on [[5 December]] [[2006]], on the [[Singapore Changi Airport|Singapore]]-[[Charles de Gaulle International Airport|Paris]] route. Coincidently, this aircraft introduced Singapore Airlines' new First Class, Business Class, and Economy Class products. Singapore Airlines also recently took delivery of the 600th 777 produced.<ref>[http://blogs.usatoday.com/sky/2006/12/boeing_reaches_.html Boeing reaches milestone with 600th 777 jet]</ref>
====Airbus A340====
The first 777s were ordered as a replacement for Singapore Airlines' relatively young fleet of [[Airbus A340#A340-300|A340-300]] aircraft, with Boeing assuming ownership of the A340s as part of the deal.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} This was seen as a setback for Airbus, which had started delivery of the aircraft only a few years earlier. Two of the 17 A340-300s traded to [[Boeing Aircraft Holding Company]] as part of the deal never flew in revenue service for Singapore Airlines and were handed over for resale within months of initial delivery. The A340-300 was intended to be a replacement for a cancelled [[McDonnell Douglas MD-11]] order, as the MD-11 could not meet Singapore Airlines' range requirements.<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/1991/08/03/air_.php McDonnell Loses Sale To Airbus - International Herald Tribune]</ref>
Singapore Airlines subsequently took delivery of the Airbus [[Airbus A340#A340-500|A340-500]], a long-range version of the A340.<ref>[http://www.airbus.com/en/aircraftfamilies/a330a340/a340-500/ A340-500]</ref> The A340-500s feature Raffles Class cabins in 2-2-2 configuration and Executive Economy class cabins with a 2-3-2 configuration. The A340-500s are used for the [[Non-stop flight|ultra long-haul]] routes from Singapore to Los Angeles and Newark non-stop. Singapore Airlines operates the world's longest non-stop flights, SQ21 and SQ22 using the A340-500s that fly between [[Singapore Changi Airport]] and [[Newark Liberty International Airport]].<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-allbiz4mar04,1,3403241.story Singapore Airlines to pioneer all-business-class flights across Pacific - Los Angeles Times]</ref> When flying from Singapore to New Jersey, the plane usually flies over the North Pole and crosses the [[Arctic Ocean]]. The length of this route is 9530mi (8280nm) or 15340km.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} Singapore Airlines announced that its five A340-500s would be reconfigured to seat 100 in a business class only layout with a 1-2-1 configuration by May 2008 for its non-stop flights to Newark and to Los Angeles.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSSIN32443520080304 Singapore Air plans all-business class flights to US | Industries | Industrials, Materials & Utilities | Reuters]</ref> According to the airline, the change was decided due to the demand for business class seats on the 19-hour flight.<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-allbiz4mar04,1,3403241.story Singapore Airlines to pioneer all-business-class flights across Pacific -} Los Angeles Times]</ref>
====Airbus A380====
[[Image:380CHANGI.JPG|thumb|[[Airbus A380]] at [[Singapore Changi Airport]].]]
Singapore Airlines became the first airline to operate the Airbus A380-800 when it entered service on [[25 October]] [[2007]] after a series of delays.<ref>{{cite news|title= Airbus announces new A380 delivery delays; EIS put off until 2007 |date=[[2006-06-14]] |publisher= ATW Daily News |url= http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=5382 }}</ref><ref>"[http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/08/16/216111/singapore-airlines-reveals-delivery-date-for-first-airbus-a380.html Singapore Airlines reveals delivery date for first Airbus A380]" Flight Global, 16/08/07</ref> The airline has orders for 19 A380s with another six options. The first flight was a return trip from Singapore to Sydney, with a flight designation of [[Singapore Airlines Flight 380|SQ380]] to signify the first flight of the A380.<ref>[http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/press_release/NE_3907.jsp First A380 Flight On 25-26 October]</ref> To mark this moment in aviation history, SIA auctioned all the tickets in a special agreement with [[eBay]], beginning on [[27 August]] [[2007]] for two weeks, and donating all proceeds to charity.<ref>[http://www.a380.singaporeair.com/content/news/newsrelease/20070725/index.html Singapore Airlines A380 > First A380 flight to be sold for charity]</ref> The airline announced that it has raised nearly $1.3 million dollars for charity.<ref>"[http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/09/13/216756/sias-a380-auction-raises-nearly-1.3-million.html SIA's A380 auction raises nearly $1.3 million]" Flight Global, 13/09/07</ref>
With the delivery of the third A380 services to [[London Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow]] commenced on [[18 March]] [[2008]],<ref>''[http://www.singaporeair.com/mediacentre/pacontent/news/NE_1608.jsp]''</ref> and delivery of the fourth aircraft has seen the commencement of flights to [[Narita International Airport|Tokyo]] on [[20 May]] [[2008]]. <ref>[http://www.singaporeair.com/mediacentre/pacontent/news/NE_1508.jsp Singapore Airlines News Releases]</ref> Singapore Airlines is reportedly considering extending A380 services to [[Beijing Capital International Airport|Beijing]], [[Hong Kong International Airport|Hong Kong]], [[Melbourne Airport|Melbourne]] and [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]].
==Incidents and accidents==
This covers Singapore Airlines flights; for incidents relating to [[SilkAir]] see that article
* [[26 March]] [[1991]]{{ndash}} [[Singapore Airlines Flight 117]] was hijacked by [[Pakistan]]i militants en route to [[Singapore]], where it was stormed by Singapore Special Operations forces. All of the hijackers were killed in the operation, with no fatalities amongst the passengers and crew.
* [[31 October]] [[2000]]{{ndash}} [[Singapore Airlines Flight 006]] operated by a [[Boeing 747|Boeing 747-400]], crashed at [[Chiang Kai-shek International Airport]] (now [[Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport]]) in [[Taiwan]] killing 83 people aboard and injuring 71 people during heavy rain caused by [[Typhoon Xangsane]] . SQ006 was the first fatal crash of a Singapore Airlines aircraft.
==References==
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==External links==
{{commons|Singapore Airlines}}
*[http://www.singaporeair.com Official website]
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