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

Singapore airlines

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!

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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:

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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.

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

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“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.

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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

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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”.

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

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  1. 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…..”

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“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.

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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!

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“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?

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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?”

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“Finding something for everyone to love”

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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”.

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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!

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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.”

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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.

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“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”.☺

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Contributed by:
Beng Keat TAN (“BK”) writing freelance. BKScreen Shot 2016-05-05 at 11.25.08 AM
may be contacted at bkeatan@gmail.com


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Revolutionizing Air Cargo: Dronamics and Qatar Airways Cargo Pioneer Drone-Airline Partnership

Dronamics, the inaugural cargo drone airline licensed to operate in Europe, and Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s largest international cargo carrier, have announced a groundbreaking interline agreement. This partnership marks the first-ever interline agreement between a global airline and a cargo drone carrier.

The interline agreement facilitates the expansion of delivery networks for both collaborators, significantly broadening their outreach and granting access to regions traditionally challenging for conventional air freight.

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Droneports Network of Qatar Airways Cargo.

Through this arrangement, Dronamics can offer cargo services from any of its droneports, initially located in Greece, to the extensive network of Qatar Airways Cargo.

This network includes destinations like Singapore, China (including Hong Kong), and the United States (JFK). Conversely, Qatar Airways Cargo gains access to remote locations served by Dronamics, such as the Greek islands, through the cargo drone network.

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The expansion of this network allows Dronamics customers to make seamless bookings for transporting goods from a Dronamics droneport to any destination covered by the joint interline network, and vice versa.

It enables swift and reliable shipments

This development opens up significant potential for the flow of various goods, including pharmaceuticals, food, e-commerce items, mail, parcels, and spare parts. It enables swift and reliable shipments to and from locations that were previously underserved by air freight.

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Svilen Rangelov, Co-Founder and CEO of Dronamics, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We’re very excited to have the world’s largest air cargo carrier as our partner for the first-of-its-kind interline agreement with our category-defining cargo drone airline.”

Rangelov emphasized the opportunity to exponentially expand air cargo accessibility globally, enabling same-day delivery to numerous communities worldwide.

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Elisabeth Oudkerk, SVP Cargo Sales & Network Planning at Qatar Airways Cargo, highlighted the airline’s commitment to embracing disruptive technology and supporting ambitious companies like Dronamics.

She noted the significance of being the first international airline to offer this innovative service, marking a milestone in the advancement of autonomous cargo drone transportation.

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Dronamics is set to commence commercial operations in Greece early next year, with a focus on establishing a same-day service connecting Athens, the capital city, with the industrial north area of the country, as well as the southern islands.

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Air India B787 Dreamliner Cabin Experiences Water Leak During midflight

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On November 29, an Air India flight en route from Delhi to London Gatwick Airport faced a mid-flight cabin leak originating from an overhead storage unit. The incident involved a water leak within the cabin of an Air India 787 Dreamliner while flying over India.

Despite the unexpected situation, the cabin crew maintained a reassuring demeanor, encouraging passengers to remain calm. There was also a leak of water from the plane’s roof, so the pilot urged the passengers not to panic.

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The odd thing is that, based on videos posted online, passengers did not appear to be significantly impacted when the leak was reported by a crew member. The leak may have been caused by a cooling system malfunction, though this is suspected.

A passenger shared the video on X, showing water continuously dripping onto passengers’ seats from overhead bins. A user commented, “It’s possible that some travellers left their fully filled water bottles in their cabin luggage, which could be the cause of this. They advise us to carry water bottles because of this. The company may not be the only one at fault. “Can passengers request a refund in situations like this?” asked another.

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Russia Begins Su-75 Checkmate’s Production Process

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Russia has initiated the initial stages of manufacturing the Su-75 ‘Checkmate’ stealth fighter aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the development of its single-engine fifth-generation fighter jet.

The project documentation has been officially transmitted to the manufacturing plant, incorporating minor modifications in response to the preferences of potential customers during the preparatory phase.

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Several adjustments have been implemented in the project, including an extension of the maiden flight. The delivery of the design documentation to the manufacturer signifies the commencement of the production of initial samples.

Anticipated to make their debut in 2024–2025, the aircraft prototypes are expected to be followed by a pilot batch in 2026, as per previous disclosures by UAC. Serial production is projected to take place between 2026 and 2027.

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The introduced modifications have enhanced the competitiveness and commercial appeal of domestic single-engine aircraft while simultaneously mitigating technical risks associated with development.

The Russian Federation and the Ministry of Industry and Trade anticipate the unveiling of a prototype for Russia’s fifth-generation light fighter, Checkmate, by the end of 2025. As the Su-75 enters mass production, several countries may acquire their first fifth-generation stealth fighter. However, challenges persist regarding Russia’s claim that the Su-75’s capabilities can directly rival those of the US F-35 Lightning II fighter.

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Iran Finalizes Contract to Procure Russian Fighter Aircraft

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Iran has concluded its plans to procure military aircraft from Russia, as reported by Iranian state media.

The finalized agreement includes the purchase of advanced Russian military assets, including Yak-130 jet trainers, Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters, and Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, as confirmed by Brigadier General Mahdi Farahi, Iran’s Deputy Defence Minister.

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Iran has the most military helicopters in the area and has significantly improved its capabilities through a number of upgrade projects. Tehran is expected to receive 24 Su-35 Flanker-E fighter jets from Moscow, although the deputy minister did not specify how many aircraft were scheduled for delivery.

Iranian is facing geopolitical issues with the US Earlier. it used to have f-16 and other fighter jets which were built by the US operating in the Iran Air Force. Later on with the Middle East political tension united States rejected arms supplies to Iran. Further, Iran depended on russia and the Turkish aircraft. Due to recent Israel conflicts it planning to procure more defensive products from Russia.

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Su-35s would be a major upgrade over Iran’s current fleet of aircraft, but how much better the planes are will depend on a number of factors, such as the equipment, training, and other capabilities that come with them and how well they integrate with Iran’s potent integrated air and missile defense systems.

Whatever the case, the growing security cooperation between Russia and Iran poses a serious challenge to American allies in Europe, Israel, and the Arab world. Washington and its allies and partners should work together to counter the expanding Russian-Iranian axis rather than worrying about the issue separately.

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Addressing last week, John Kirby, a spokesman for the US National Security Council, said that after giving Moscow drones, guided aerial bombs, and artillery ammunition, Tehran might now supply Russia with ballistic missiles to use in its conflict in Ukraine. In return, Iran is seeking billions of dollars worth of military hardware from Russia in exchange for bolstering its military capabilities.

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flynas partners with Eve Air to bring eVTOL operations to Riyadh and Jeddah

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Flynas is the top low-cost airline in the Middle East and the world. In 2026, the partners plan to investigate the feasibility of launching eVTOL operations in Riyadh and Jeddah.

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“This collaboration is a significant step towards realizing our common goal of sustainable air travel, as well as a demonstration of our dedication to establishing an eco-friendly, accessible, and efficient transportation system,” stated Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve.

“We are excited to start this revolutionary journey with flynas and work together to improve Saudi Arabia’s air mobility in the future.” The agreement will help Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector by establishing and bolstering the region’s potential electric flight ecosystem. Additionally, the partnership will support the ambitious targets in the aviation sector as well as the sustainability goals of Vision 2030.

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More than 1,500 flights per week are offered by flynas to more than 70 domestic and international locations. The launch of eVTOL flights to Saudi Arabia as well as the joint venture between Eve and flynas will give passengers another choice for urban transportation while reaffirming the companies’ dedication to influencing the direction of electric aviation and offering effective, secure, and environmentally friendly transportation to the area.

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Embraer gets new order from Porter Airlines for 25 jets

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Porter Airlines has added to its 50 existing firm orders with the exercise of purchase rights to place a firm order for 25 Embraer E195-E2 passenger jets.

With the new aircraft, Porter will be able to reach more locations across Porter and continue its highly regarded service. With 25 purchase rights left, Porter’s orders with Embraer now stand at 75 firm, valued at US$2.1 billion at list price. This deal will be added to the Q4 backlog.

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The E195-E2’s North American launch customer, Porter, has already accepted delivery of 24 of the aircraft and has just revealed plans to fly to new locations in Mexico and the Caribbean in addition to Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. At the moment, the planes are being used out of Eastern Canada, primarily targeting Ottawa and Toronto Pearson International Airport.

The E195-E2 is also bringing new services to Halifax and Montreal. Porter has decided to set up the 146-seat aircraft in a cosy all-economy configuration with 132 seats, offering 36, 34, and 30-inch seat pitches to their guests.

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