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Tag: first class

  • Singapore Airlines Postpones Next-Gen First-Class Seat Debut to 2027 Amid Industry Constraints

    Singapore Airlines Postpones Next-Gen First-Class Seat Debut to 2027 Amid Industry Constraints

    Singapore Airlines has postponed the unveiling of its upgraded first and business class cabins on Airbus A350-900 aircraft until the first quarter of 2027, retreating from the original target date in the second quarter of 2026. The adjusted timeline comes as a response to the widespread supply chain issues plaguing the aviation industry, compounded by delays in the approval of one of the new seating designs, as was communicated by a company representative on Wednesday.

    Revamping the Flying Experience

    The change in the cabins is part of a broader revamp announced by Singapore Airlines in November 2024, a move targeted at rolling out newly designed long-haul products across a fleet of 41 Airbus A350-900 long-distance and extreme long-range aircraft. The new products were declared to be an entirely new innovation, boasting spacious layouts and ergonomics designed to cater to the diverse requirements of the airline’s passengers.

    Although the airline has yet to disclose the final designs of the revamped cabin classes, a preview of the new business class product released in 2024 hinted at seats equipped with privacy doors, bearing a resemblance to the Qsuite of Qatar Airways.

    Singapore Airlines had previously broadcast an investment of SGD1.1 billion (US$863 million) in this venture, with the refurbishment work delegated to the SIA Engineering Company in Singapore.

    Operational Delays and Future Expectations

    Singapore Airlines stated on Wednesday that the refurbished A350-900 aircraft are now predicted to commence operations in the first quarter of 2027, pending regulatory approvals. The company pledged to offer an update on the introduction of the upgraded A350-900 ultra-long-range aircraft when appropriate.

    Upon completion of the renovations, the company plans to equip 34 of the A350-900 long-haul aircraft with 42 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 192 economy seats. The seven A350-900ULR aircraft in the airline’s possession will be arranged with four first-class seats, 70 business class seats, and 58 premium economy seats.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the new timeline for the launch of the upgraded seats on Airbus A350-900 aircraft?
    The new launching date is set for the first quarter of 2027, a delay from the initial schedule of the second quarter of 2026.

    Why has the launch been delayed?
    The delay is due to industry-wide supply chain issues and a setback in the certification of one of the new seat designs.

    What will the new cabins look like?
    Details of the design remain undisclosed, but a teaser of the business class product showed seats with privacy doors, similar to those of Qatar Airways’ Qsuite.

  • Cathay Pacific to honor premium Vietnam-US tickets sold by mistake

    Cathay Pacific to honor premium Vietnam-US tickets sold by mistake

    Cathay Pacific Airways mistakenly sold Vietnam-U.S. first class and business class tickets at economy prices, but will honor them. The Hong Kong flag carrier made this announcement in a Twitter post Wednesday after customers reported Tuesday that they were able to purchase first class and business class tickets at unusually cheap prices from Vietnam to North American destinations such as San Francisco and New York in the U.S. and Vancouver, Canada.

    Cathay, Asia’s largest international airline, offered return business and first seats from Vietnam’s central city of Da Nang to New York at the price of $650 and $845 respectively, while typically these tickets cost $16,000 and $31,000.

    Hanoi-based pastor Jacob Bloemberg was one of the lucky customers who were able to purchase the tickets, which only lasted “for minutes.”

    “My wife and I travel from Hanoi to the U.S. every year, but we are very excited this time as we enjoy business class seats at the price of an economy seat,” he said.

    The number of tickets sold during the computer error is believed to be several thousand. Cathay Pacific blamed the mistake on an individual entering the wrong fares into the company’s system. Although Cathay has not revealed the cost of this error, it is calculated that the airline should have collected at least $685,800 from 11 customers that it spoke to.

    However, Cathay said it hoped the move would make this year special for its customers.

    “Yes – we made a mistake, but we look forward to welcoming you on board with your ticket issued. Hope this will make your 2019 ‘special’ too!,” the airline said on its Twitter account.

    It added #promisemadepromisekept, and #lessonlearnt at the end of the post.

    Last summer, a similar situation happened with Hong Kong Airlines when business class tickets were sold for $587, much lower than the usual price of $3,800. The airline honored its mistakes and covered all bookings.

    Bloemberg said that Cathay’s move was “honorable.”

    “If there are similar errors in the future, I’d like to find out right away.”

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  • Malaysia Airlines launches business suite

    Malaysia Airlines launches business suite

    Malaysia Airlines announced the rebranding of its First Class cabin to Business Suite offering passengers new levels of luxury with ample cabin space and privacy. “The new Business Suite was introduced in response to the growing demand of our guests. Our target is to enable the frequent flyer, looking for enhanced comfort, to now be able to enjoy a premium experience at competitive prices,” Malaysia Airlines group CEO Captain Izham Ismail said in a statement.

    “We are confident that our new Business Suite will change the way people travel in business class,” Izham added.

    Starting Dec 12, 2018, the Business Suite will be available on all of the airline’s A350-900 and A380-800s.

    The suite comes with a dedicated check-in counter, access to Malaysia Airlines premium First Class Lounge, 50kg baggage allowance as well as fine-dining experience onboard.

    The Business Suite cabin will be available on the London, Tokyo, Osaka route and on the Sydney and Seoul route during the winter season.

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  • House of Chivas pours Regal Ultis to Qantas First Class customers

    House of Chivas pours Regal Ultis to Qantas First Class customers

    To celebrate the launch of Chivas Regal Ultis, Pernod Ricard Travel Retail Asia Pacific is offering the blended malt Scotch whisky to Qantas First Class customers until March.

    Chivas Regal Ultis features on the summer menu in the Sydney and Melbourne First Lounges and in a bespoke cocktail called ‘Fine St Blend’. First Class Qantas passengers will also be offered the spirit onboard and can buy it through Qantas epiQure and Qantas inSky shopping pre-order sites.

    Pernod Ricard Travel Retail Asia Pacific Senior Brand Manager Katie Gee said: “We know our Chivas Regal drinker travels frequently and is always discovering and seeking out new experiences. Showcasing our new product, Chivas Regal Ultis, with Qantas is a fantastic platform to connect with whisky enthusiasts along their journey.”

    To further promote the Chivas Regal Ultis launch in the region, Pernod Ricard Travel Retail Asia Pacific has partnered with duty free retailers to create large scale promotions in airports. Tasting bars, ambassador appearances and gifts-with-purchase were featured in December and will continue in selected locations throughout January.

    Chivas Regal Ultis is available now in global travel retail and in selected domestic retailers. The Scotch is also available through Qantas epiQure and Qantas inSky shopping pre-order channels in Asia Pacific.

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