Singapore Airlines to offer all-business class flights from US

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is to offer all-business class seating on its non-stop flights to Singapore from New York and Los Angeles, starting mid-May.

Under the new configuration, the airline will replace the existing two-class, 181-seat layout on its five Airbus A340-500 planes with 100 business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Every seat will have direct access to the aisle, and will convert into a fully flat bed. The new business class seats are the same design as those fitted on the carrier’s Airbus A380, the world's biggest passenger plane.

SIA said the decision to remove economy seats and offer only business class for the direct flights between Singapore and the two US cities is aimed at catering to strong demand from its premium travellers.

On March 20, Singapore Airlines will add a new US destination to its international route network with a four-times-weekly flight to Houston from Singapore, via Moscow.

SIA to fly from Houston to Moscow, Singapore

Singapore Airlines announced the launch of nonstop flights from Houston to Moscow, with continuing service to Singapore, beginning March 20. The four-weekly flights will provide the first direct air link between the Russian capital and the US state of Texas. The new Singapore Airlines service will provide new travel options for both corporate and leisure travelers to Russia, as well as a convenient link to the carrier’s extensive network throughout Asia. The airline will operate its newest Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the route in a three-class configuration: 8 First Class, 42 Business Class and 228 Economy Class seats.

Houston will become SIA’s fifth US gateway, beside Newark, New York-JFK, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

SIA's A380 takes off for Sydney video

Singapore Airlines takes delivery of its first Airbus A380

This morning, Singapore Airlines took delivery of the world’s first A380 at a special ceremony at Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, France. The 'super-jumbo' aircraft will make its debut on October 25 with an inaugural flight between Singapore and Sydney, with the majority of seats sold for charity on eBay. Then, on October 28, the A380 will commence scheduled service on the Singapore-Sydney route on one of the three daily flights in each direction.

Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines has confirmed that it will operate an A380 aircraft on one of its daily flights between Singapore and London’s Heathrow Airport from the first quarter of 2008.