Singapore Airlines Turns Up the Heat on Long‑Haul Flights
On a recent press dip (and a bit of a traffic jam in the heavens), Singapore Airlines has kept the sales of its ultra‑long business seats smooth, while rolling out super tempting prices for Premium Economy. The airline’s own senior exec is backing it up.
New 19‑Hour Spectacle
- After a five‑year pause, the carrier launched the world’s longest nonstop jet from Singapore to New York — an almost 19‑hour, no‑stop voyage.
- Seven brand‑new fliers, the Airbus A350‑900ULR, hop‑on and hop‑off between Singapore, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- Each cabin packs 67 business seats and 94 Premium Economy, but can’t host regular‑economy passengers.
Why the Premium Economy Push?
Venture VP Commercial Mak Swee Wah, the number‑one person behind sales plans, claims the business class is as hot as ever— and he expects it to keep heating up. Premium Economy, however, is a newer concept for many markets, offering looser legroom and extra treats.
“We’ll tease the market with insane prices right now. Once people see how long the trip is, they’ll love the extra bag room and later they’ll be convinced that a bit of extra cash is worth it,” he told reporters.
Fudgy Numbers & Fuel Fumbles
- Singapore Airlines saw a staggering 81 % decay in its Q2 net profit, slammed by steamy fuel costs and lower fares.
- Ticket yields dipped 2.2 % YoY, a slight drop that didn’t fight the 24 % fuel rise.
To Buy, Or Not to Buy… but Actually, Yes!
The airline’s site offers a Premium Economy round‑trip from Singapore to New York for as low as S$1,698 during parts of the Christmas season—a figure that rivals stops‑over fares by Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific or Dubai’s Emirates.
Historically, those same cities flew nonstop on A340‑500 jets that burned like fire in the sky. That cost was too high when fuel prices went haywire in 2013. Today, the A350‑900ULR’s skin‑tight design makes the business model thrivable again.
One Last Word from the Pilot
In a quick chat with a SIA spokesperson, the airline promised to keep reviewing cabin settings. “We’re confident on the 67/94 split for the A350‑900ULR,” he said, “and no changes on the horizon.”
