Off to Singapore on the A380

With Singapore Airlines the delivery customer of the A380 and nobody else getting a look in for another ten months while SQ gets another two allowing them to commence London services, this unheard of lead with aviation product has given Singapore Airlines a real marketing edge, at least on the Aussie route to and from Asia.

With loads in all classes running at 100% and forward bookings looking really strong we have come to expect superlative service from SQ and this aircraft is no exception, with flight crew immensely proud to be serving on board this brand new and unique aircraft.

So, what is different about the A380?

Well, in reality except for a few things, not much at all and that is good thing, and for most passengers I suppose a plane is just a plane, but what you notice first is that although the aircraft carries 471 passengers, boarding takes no longer than a 747, in fact because of the dual level aerobridges, it was particularly speedy and smooth in both Sydney and Changi, so all fears in that department speedily allayed.

The A380 also does not feel like a big aircraft inside and unless you took a walk around you would never realise that there are two decks, with Airbus and SQ having also been very clever in splitting up the economy cabins [where The Mole was sitting] so that there are not acres of seats in front of and behind you as on a 747, with about 120 seats in each economy section – [pictured right taken from the back of the middel economy section on the lower deck of the aircraft].

The only gripe I have about the seats was there was only a very small amount of recline so sleeping was an upright affair! 

The seats were comfortable though and although there was a marginal recline the seat squab slid forward.

The food was not as good as I recall on Singapore Airlines, the white wine was awful, with very few water services during the flight, something I remember SQ used to do a lot of.

The toilets were good and well equipped, even down to a touch of after shave to freshen up the flight.

The thing that really struck The Mole about this mammoth aircraft is how quiet it was, with taking off a very calm and sedate affair.  The only noises that were louder than on other aircraft were the screeching of the gear going up and down an that is only bad on the lower deck.

The Mole did not get a chance to see the Suites, but with a Business Class of over 60 seats on the upper deck, all of which were full on both legs and the widest seat I have ever seen, SQ is seeing very strong demand and yields in business class from both business and leisure travellers.

The inflight entertainment is superb and is claimed to be the most powerful and advanced in the world, with more than 1,000 on demand options including TV programmes, interactive games, audio CDs, hosted radio programming and a variety of what SQ describe as learning applications!  The Mole stuck with the movie, which combined with 10.6 inch LCD screen could be clearly seen.

For the first time in economy, travellers can also plug in their notebooks with a power socket located right under the edge of every seat and also the inflight system can be used for work, with a small keyboard and UBS port for downloading documents produced.

In economy SQ says that the seat has been specially designed to give more personal space and legroom – I had an exit row so it was hard to tell, but I did try a regular seat and it seemed as tight as any other economy on a similar premium quality carrier. 

The height adjustable leather head rests make a difference, with their adjustable side wings, preventing that embarrassing lolling around of the head when asleep!

There is also a front mounted foot rest so that is handy, but for taller passengers not an option.

So should you try the “big fella”?

Yes of course and if nothing else in this spectacular mammoth aircraft, the silence will amaze you.

A Report by The Mole from the Singapore Airlines A380