New Zealanders travellers between Christchurch and Singapore will soon have the additional choice of a Singapore Airlines A350-900 aircraft.
It follows the recent introduction of Singapore Airlines flights from Wellington to Singapore via Melbourne, Singapore Airlines general manager New Zealand, Simon Turcotte said.
The Christchurch service will begin in January 2019 with the A350-900 Airbus which has higher ceilings, larger windows, and wider body.
The new aircraft have fewer seats at 253 compared with the current Boeing 777-200ER which has 312 seats – but there are more premium class seats on offer to make the airline more money per flight.
The new A350-900 has a standard seating pattern of 42 business class fully reclining seats ($5500 one-way), 24 in premium economy class with partly reclining seats ($3300), and 187 economy class standard seats $1550).
By contrast the Boeing 777-200ER aircraft had fewer of the more expensive premium seats.
All the seats on the new service are described as “next generation”.
Turcotte said the company was introducing premium economy class on the route for the first time.
It will allow customers to enjoy the seating from the South Island to destinations such as Paris, London, New Delhi, Johannesburg, Dubai, Barcelona, and Hong Kong.
“The introduction of premium economy will make Singapore Airlines the only long haul carrier offering the cabin daily out of Christchurch on a year-round basis.”
Premium economy class gives customers priority handling and boarding, a 2-4-2 seating arrangement, seats with greater width up to 49.5 centimetres including a calf-rest and footrest, reclining up to 20cms with a 96cms seat pitch. They also get a 33.7 cms touch screen monitor, noise cancelling headphones, and champagne throughout the 10 hour flight.
The business class cabin is configured in a 1-2-1 layout giving every traveller direct aisle access, a 71cms wide seat converting into a 198cms fully-flat bed with cushioned headboard, plus spaces for laptops, and 45cms HD LCD screen and noise cancelling headphones.
Economy class passengers are stacked in a 3-3-3 configuration, 45cms seat with backrest cushion and headrest, plus smaller touch screen.
Singapore Airlines has 67 of the A350-900 aircraft on order and has taken delivery of 21 since the first aircraft entered the fleet in March 2016.
Passengers will also be able to use the Singapore Airlines companion app, to control their in-flight entertainment.
