Aviation

“Explore Singapore Airlines’ First Class – with SIA Super Fan, BK Tan”

Traveling in Style, Onboard the World’s Best

If flying is your thing, you owe it to yourself to do it in style. Fly with the world’s best and get that all high and happy feeling, even before indulging in the delightful onboard service!

Singapore Airlines’ Super Fan , BK Tan (“BK”) recently flew First Class this April 9th, 2016 to Houston via Moscow from Singapore. Changi airport, home base of Singapore Airlines is the world’s best airport, well complimenting the carrier’s brand image

Flight Details:

Carrier: Singapore Airlines (SQ)
Flight Number: SQ62
Route: SIN-DME-IAH
Duration: 10 Hours 40 Minutes (SIN-DME); 11 Hours 25 Minutes (DME-IAH)
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Registration: 9V-SWT
Cabin Class: First Class
Seat Number: 02F (Dining) 01F (Resting)
Date: 09/04/16

Exclusive and personalized, the experience kicks-off with a private check-in at the airline’s First Class Lounge. Porters greet his and her “Royal Majesties” (“HRM”) upon arrival at curb-side drop-off, readily assisting with luggage whilst HRMs are personally escorted to available counters for check-in.

Once check-in formalities are completed, travelers on First Class and Suites clear immigration out-of-public-sight.

“Elites” flying out from Singapore onboard Singapore Airlines’ First Class and Suites, get invitations to The Private Room accessible by a quick escorted sprint past the “First Class” lounge.

Once inside The Private Room, to the left, past the sofas and televisions is a classy dining area, where a host of culinary delights await

Having had an abundance of time before the boarding call, I sampled the Poached Lobster Provençale and US Prime Beef Burger with Foie Gras, Rocket Leaf and Fried Quail Egg, washing it down with a glass of Piper-Heidsieck champagne. Well, how else do the Dukes and Duchesses of Beverly Hills do it?

After savoring two mains and some champagne, I decided to check out The Private Room’s shower facilities. A heavenly indulgence, considering I had nearly a day and a quarter of travel ahead of me. Besides, regardless of my class of travel, my personal standard is to be well-groomed on every flight.

Time check: 02:00am. Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 777-300ER (Tail: 9V-SWT / April 9th, 2016) was ready for boarding. Ecstatic about the 24 hour ride, I took wide brisk strides till the end of the “rainbow” where the aerobridge linked itself to “door two left”. “Good morning Mr. Tan”. I was escorted to my throne, 02F.

On Singapore Airlines, passengers traveling First Class (available only on selected Boeing 777 fleet) or Suites (available only on the Airbus A380 fleet) are offered a selection of either Krug or Dom Pérignon, versus that of Taittinger on Business Class.

Krug was my choice of pre-departure drinks, my taste buds remaining consistent from when I last flew First Class in November 2015 (Seoul-Incheon to Singapore / SQ15 aboard 9V-SWH), after having tasted Dom Pérignon in Suites previously in October 2014 (New Delhi to Singapore / SQ403 onboard 9V-SKJ). Personally, I find that Krug is smoother, less bubbly, more refined and exquisite in taste than Dom Pérignon. Well, am no Wine Sommelier but that’s my amateurish take on the difference between the two.

This First Class seat would be my “home away from home” where I’ll unwind and relax for the next 24 hours. With seven decades of “inflight service that even other airlines talk about”, a deep strong faith resides within me, confident that “finding something for everyone to love”; by “understanding your (my) needs, bringing you (me) a taste of the familiar”; and creating new levels of comfort” all comes naturally to my host, and the Singapore girl, for “it’s just one of the lengths we (Singapore Airlines) go (goes) to, to make you (me) feel at home”. (2013 Brand Campaign: http://youtu.be/jeiZ48BAr8A)

Momentarily lost in my own self, with a glass of Krug in hand, I was presented with a set of inflight amenities: Salvatore Ferragamo branded Male Kit; and Singapore Airlines house branded pajamas, eyeshades, sockets and cabin slippers. In the words of Smeagal from “Lord of the Rings”, these amenity kits were essentially “My Precious”.

Singapore Airlines’ branded amenities are offered to passengers traveling First Class and Suites for:

a) Day flights between 0600hrs and 1800hrs, for flight durations in excess of 7 hours. Flights SQ12(SIN-NRT) and SQ634 (SIN-HND) are eligible
b) Evening flights between 1800hrs and 0600hrs, for flight durations in excess of 3.5 hours and which arrivals are after 0030hrs.

*On two sector flights with no break in journey, only one amenity kit will be distributed from point of embarkation.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, your Captain from the flight deck, wishing all a warm welcome aboard Singapore Airlines, SQ 62 to Moscow and Houston…..”

“Bringing you a taste of the familiar”

My Book The Cook (“BTC”) supper choice of Boston Lobster Thermidor would be served as breakfast; as I had decided to offer my breakfast selection of Nasi Lemak to the wonderful crew who had to forgo uninterrupted rest and attend to me on this red eye flight out of Singapore.

Available on selected sectors when flying in premium cabins of Singapore Airlines, passengers may choose their preferred culinary option, available up to 24 hours prior to departure, allowing the chefs time to whip up that storm for you. Healthier options, better referred to as “Wholesome Meals” were recently introduced by Singapore Airlines. No doubt, an awesome treat whilst flying over land and sea.

In any event, one can indulge in endless culinary pleasures when traveling in premium cabins. Pictured here are just some of the treats I savored during the 10 hours 40 minutes flight from Singapore to Moscow; and 11 hours 25 minutes flight from Moscow to Houston. Regretfully, no “Wholesome Meals” here. Bon appètit!

“Creating new levels of comfort”

Regardless of the class of travel, Singapore Airlines never fails to deliver, but it is a whole new world on the front end of the cabin. The word “pampered” takes on a whole new meaning, for what’s better than waking up to a glass of champagne in bed at 40,000 ft in the sky, whilst soaring through fluffy clouds in blue skies at 500mph?

Reality, momentarily tossed out of the windows could be a lifestyle change, but a fantasy and dream I could get accustomed to, twenty-four-seven. As chorused by Eurythmics in their 1983 Top Chart Hits of “Sweet Dreams”: “Sweet (“Suites”) dreams are made of this, who am I to disagree?”

“Finding something for everyone to love”

Inflight entertainment on Krisworld gets better with Bose noise cancelling headsets for the “Duke” in-question. With hundreds of entertainment selections in a variety of genres and languages to choose from, Singapore Airlines has indeed kept to its commitment in finding “something for everyone to love”.

10:51am: 9V-SWT arrives in Moscow’s Domodedovo International Airport. After a short transit of an hour and 30 minutes, doors were closed and the warm fuzzy feeling was relived, yet again, on the 11 hour 25 minute flight to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The angels from heaven called out as we flew in bright warm sunlight for the entire journey to the USA!

13:44hrs: “Welcome to Houston, Ladies and Gentlemen. The local time is 1.44pm on Saturday the 9th of April and the temperature is 23 degrees C / 73 degrees F. Please note that Houston is 8 hours behind Moscow and 13 hours behind Singapore….. It has been our pleasure serving you on this flight. Thank you for flying with Singapore Airlines, a member of Star Alliance.”

So, what really makes Singapore Airlines, now more than ever, a great way to fly? Thoughtfully scripted by TBWA in 2013, these words become a reality, on my flight to Houston, making the experience a branding success of unforgettable proportions.

“We search for what’s special;
For what lives an experience to another level;
And that unspoken feeling doesn’t happen by chance;
So no matter what changes, this commitment holds true;
We will find what truly matters, to make you feel at home.” – TBWA, 2013 Singapore Airlines Branding Content

If you have not enrolled in Singapore Airlines’ mileage rewards program, it may be interesting to note that a host of salutations are offered. With the exception of “Emperor”; “Empresses”; and “Dowager”, you’d find something suitable that rings a jingle to your ears. Here’s what I occasionally go by…. So next time you see me onboard, do drop by and chat with the “Lord”.☺

Contributed by:
Beng Keat TAN (“BK”) writing freelance. BK
may be contacted at bkeatan@gmail.com

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Dawal

He is an aviation journalist and the founder of Jetline Marvel. Dawal gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aviation industry. He has worked in a range of roles for more than 9 years in the aviation and aerospace industry. He has written more than 1700 articles in the aerospace industry. When he was 19 years old, he received a national award for his general innovations and holds the patent. He completed two postgraduate degrees simultaneously, one in Aerospace and the other in Management. Additionally, he authored nearly six textbooks on aviation and aerospace tailored for students in various educational institutions. jetlinem4(at)gmail.com

Aerospace

India is set to build a central command for the Air Traffic Control system, called ISHAN

Coutresy : Boeing planes

India’s air traffic growth has led to increased responsibilities for air traffic control. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is considering centralizing air traffic control for aircraft, dividing the country into four regions. The goal is to consolidate India’s segmented airspace into a single entity to improve air traffic management (ATM) efficiency, safety, and smoothness.

Recently, the AAI invited expressions of interest to develop a detailed project report for the Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management (ISHAN) initiative in Nagpur. Under this plan, air traffic controllers in Nagpur would handle domestic flights flying above 25,000 feet, eliminating the need for coordination among controllers in different regions.

For domestic regional flights operating above 25,000 feet, control would shift to the central command in Nagpur. This consolidation aims to enhance airline operations, increase flight handling capacity, and reduce congestion and flight times for passengers.

Currently, the AAI provides ATM services over Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas, covering over 2.8 million square nautical miles. This airspace is divided into four flight information regions (FIRs) in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, along with a sub-FIR in Guwahati.

FIRs are responsible for providing air traffic services, including weather information, visibility, and search and rescue assistance. The proposed unification under the ISHAN initiative aligns with the projected growth of the aviation industry, which anticipates a doubling of domestic passenger traffic by 2030.

Aviation

Airbus is set to increase the production rate for the A350 as demand surges

Airbus SE is set to boost production of its advanced A350 widebody jet as it capitalizes on rising demand for long-distance travel and wide-body aircraft, amidst the ongoing crisis affecting its competitor Boeing due to issues with the B737 Max.

The surge in orders for Airbus’s A350 aircraft has instilled confidence in the company, prompting them to ramp up production rates. This move is particularly advantageous as Boeing continues to grapple with production quality issues surrounding its 787 and 777x aircraft.

In 2024 alone, Airbus has received 137 orders for the A350, signaling a need to expand manufacturing capabilities to meet customer demands. With 1,277 orders received and 592 aircraft delivered as of April 2024, Airbus is poised to fulfill pending deliveries efficiently.

The European aircraft manufacturer announced plans to increase production of A350 jets to 12 per month by 2028, surpassing earlier projections aiming for 10 per month by 2026. This decision was disclosed alongside the company’s first-quarter figures.

The Asian market is proving lucrative for the A350, with significant orders from airlines like Indigo and Air India, totaling nearly 70 aircraft commitments for the future. Meanwhile, Airbus is progressing with its A220 and A320 programs, aiming for a monthly production rate of 14 and 75 aircraft, respectively, by 2026. Additionally, the long-range A321XLR is anticipated to commence service in the third quarter of the current year.

In contrast, Boeing has been compelled to scale back production due to regulatory pressures aimed at enhancing factory processes. While Airbus anticipates a positive market outlook, Boeing continues to face challenges with FAA certification and quality approvals, resulting in ongoing delays for its 737 Max and 777x models.

Financially, Boeing reported a significant cash burn of $3.9 billion in the first quarter, leaving it with $7.5 billion in cash and short-term securities by the quarter’s end, down from $16 billion at the beginning of the year. Consequently, Boeing’s stock has plummeted by 38% in the year so far, contrasting with Airbus’s 14% gain, marking Boeing’s lowest performance in over a year.

For a full listing including details on customers and regions, as well as historical data for the previous year, go to the download section below.

March 2024 deliveries: 63 deliveries to 32 customers
March 2024 gross orders: 137
2024 deliveries to date: 142 deliveries to 45 customers

	Single-Aisle	A300/A310	A330	A340	A350	A380	TOTAL
Total Orders	19470	816	1774	377	1277	251	23965
Total Deliveries	11705	816	1598	377	592	251	15339
Aircraft in Operation	11007	271	1482	202	591	234	13787

Aviation

All passengers killed in plane crash, after pilot let his children to control the plane

When boarding a plane, passengers entrust their safety to the skilled hands of the pilot. However, tragedy struck when one of the flight ended in disaster as all passengers lost their lives in a horrific plane crash.

In 1994, during a flight from Moscow to Hong Kong, tragedy struck as an Aeroflot relief pilot made a fateful decision. In a move that would have devastating consequences, the pilot invited his own children into the cockpit to play with the controls. Little did anyone know, this seemingly innocent gesture would lead to the loss of all 75 lives aboard the aircraft.

It was a seemingly innocent act that led to catastrophic results. The relief pilot, Mr. Kudrinsky, invited his two children, Yana, 12, and Eldar, 15, into the cockpit during the late hours of the night. Little did anyone know, this simple gesture would set off a chain of events that would end in tragedy.

Once in the cockpit, the children were allowed to sit in the captain’s chair and play with the controls, unaware that they should have been disabled as the plane was in autopilot mode.

Eldar, perhaps in a moment of curiosity or innocence, held the control column down for a mere 30 seconds. Yet, in those brief moments, the autopilot disengaged, thrusting the aircraft into manual control.

By the time the pilots regained their seats and attempted to regain control, it was too late. Despite their efforts to pull the plane out of a dive, they overcorrected, causing the flight to climb almost vertically, ultimately stalling it.

Final moment Flight 593 crash

In the final moments, as the pilots struggled to stabilize the aircraft, Flight 593 crashed into the Kuznetsk Alatau Mountain range in southern Russia, completely obliterating the plane and claiming the lives of everyone on board.

Investigations revealed a chilling truth: there was no evidence of technical failure. Instead, the crash was attributed to the unthinkable decision to allow inexperienced hands to manipulate the controls of a commercial aircraft.

The black box recording captured the harrowing sequence of events, providing a grim reminder of the human cost of a lapse in judgment. In just over two minutes, the lives of all on board were tragically short, leaving behind a legacy of sorrow and unanswered questions.