Singapore Airline's new A380

The largest commercial passenger airliner ever to take to the skies, the Airbus A380, arrived on the world stage last month with a bang. At its delivery ceremony to Singapore Airlines last October, over 500 international guests gathered at the Airbus delivery center in Toulouse, France to welcome the new queen of the sky.

Guests were overwhelmed when invited to tour the new double-decker airplane owned by Singapore Airlines. By putting only 471 seats instead of the 555 capacity, a feeling of spaciousness and lavishness was the first impression. It was followed by exhilaration to witness the future of air travel actually arriving.

Business on the top deck and economy class below it remains the best in its league by giving incredible attention to detail. The largest in its class 10.6″ wide LCD rear-seat screens, roomier leg and knee room, plus new non-intrusive reading lights and in-seat power supply is nothing like the usual economy class. Its business class features a full-reclining, flat bed and the widest seat ever at 34″, built-in office documents to work with without your laptop, and an extensive menu from worldwide, celebrity chefs.

But the true star of the show was the Singapore Airlines’ newly launched Suites; a class beyond first. With 12 private cabins created by French yacht designer Jean-Jacques Coste, premium passengers will have a world and class of their own in the open skies. Invitees were going gaga when they were introduced to the double bed, made from the two seats of Suites class put together.

Other Suite highlights include a hand-stitched leather chair by Poltrona Frau, Bose headphones, Givenchy duvets and cushions, Salvatore Ferragamo amenity kits, personal storage locker, and a chic chaise lounge to accommodate a friend (even from economy class).

For such opulence, the suite class costs a passenger US$ 7,000 for a return flight from Singapore to Sydney, while business class charges 20% higher than the usual standard fare. In its economy class, the fare will have a minimal change compared to the same route in SQ’s other aircrafts.

Beyond luxury, the A380 is built with a global warming concern too. The plane is fuel-efficient, has the lowest emissions per passenger, and is quieter than other planes both inside and outside the cabin. The aircraft obviously deserves its nick name, the Gentle Green Giant.

And of course, in the end what’s better to celebrate such beauty than a good cause? For its inaugural flight from Singapore to Sydney, the plane collected almost S$ 2 million through eBay for charity. It seems, the Airbus A380, is having a good time while keeping in the headlines.

Text by: Kenny Santana
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