Singapore Airlines Were the First To Introduce In-Flight Meal Choices? Here’s 5 Things You Didn’t Know About SIA
In conjunction with the release of Ma, I Love You and the soon-to-be winners of the ongoing contest for a pair of flight tickets to Paris by Singapore Airlines (SIA), we thought it was a good time to look at what makes the airline special and highlight some little known facts about SIA.
1. During the pandemic, SIA spent SGD50mil to redesign and upgrade the SilverKris Lounge in Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3
The lounges were increased to 6,100 square-metres with separate areas catering to the varying needs of travellers. The SilverKris Lounge is three lounges in one, comprising The Private Room, as well as the First Class and Business Class sections. Together, the SilverKris Lounge and the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge seat around 1,150 customers.
Each lounge has its own dedicated dining area, food service counters, restrooms, and showers, as well as baby care and accessible facilities. All SilverKris Lounge showers also come with en suite toilets, and more space. The First Class and Business Class sections of the SilverKris Lounge feature separate full-service bars.
You can also enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi access, with an enhanced speed of up to 25 Mbps for seamless streaming.
2. Their new global brand campaign, Welcome to World Class video garnered over 43 million views in 2 weeks on YouTube
Not content on being one of the best in the world, they have renewed their commitment to providing world class in-flight services with their newest campaign. You can watch the video here and find out why it’s gotten more than 40 million views and counting.
3. SIA fleet has flown with sustainable aviation fuel since July 2022
The use of blended sustainable aviation fuel was part of a one-year pilot announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), SIA and GenZero, a Temasek-owned investment platform, last year.
They were also the first airline to fly the eco-efficient Airbus A380 which is also the biggest aircraft. With the A380 aircraft, they were able to introduce the world’s longest non-stop flight from Singapore to New York and Singapore to Los Angeles.
Though the original long-haul flights were cancelled in 2013, the Singapore-New York flight was reintroduced in 2018 utilising the state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 ULR, a 18-hour flight that leaves Singapore at midnight and arrives in New York just in time for its passengers to unwind or start their holiday.
4. They were the first to pioneer in-flight experiences, including choice of meals
It’s hard to imagine a world where you can’t even choose your own meals, but SIA is credited with pioneering a choice of meals, free alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, free headphones, personal entertainment systems, and video-on-demand in all cabins.
They introduced full flat beds in 2006 as well an innovation that was quickly copied by aviation providers around the world.
In 2021, SIA partnered with Golden Door to provide its long-haul flight customers a better experience with a new roster of health-focused meals, exercise, and well-being options in flight.
More recently, the company revealed unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi for all of its Business Class customers and PPS Members. All KrisFlyer members in Premium Economy Class and Economy Class now enjoy free three-hour and two-hour Wi-Fi surf plans respectively.
5. The SIA Group also consists of a low-cost carrier airline, Scoot, that flies to 58 destinations around the world
The budget carrier was launched in 2012 and merged with another Singapore budget carrier Tiger Airways in 2017, expanding its routes.
It was the world’s first low-cost carrier to attain the highest ratings at both the APEX Health Safety Audit powered by SimpliFlying and Skytrax COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating Audit.
Scoot was also the first non-Japanese airline to fly the Pokemon Jet, a Boeing 787-9 that was decked out in Pokemon livery with a Pokemon-themed performance on board.
Read our review for Ma, I Love You, here, and if you’re one of the participants for the contest with a chance to fly to Paris, lookout for the winner announcements on the 20th of February, 2023.