SIA to launch a 'plane restaurant' and tours

These new plans will replace their initial idea of launching flights to nowhere

By Toh Ting Wei - 30 Sep 2020

SIA drops ‘flights to nowhere’ plan; will launch A-380 'plane restaurant', home-delivered premium meals and tours instead — Credit: SINGAPORE AIRLINES

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Remember that talk about Singapore Airlines (SIA) launching flights to nowhere, in which you can buy a ticket and fly to uhh, nowhere and back to Singapore in three hours? The national carrier is no longer going ahead with that plan.

But members of the public can still experience the airline's service - albeit on the ground - through three other initiatives that will be launched in the coming weeks, SIA said on Tuesday (Sept 29).

These are lunch on board an Airbus A-380 jumbo jet, a tour of SIA's training facilities and home delivery of meals from its first class and business class menus.

SIA said it developed these experiences after conducting a market study and a review that looked into factors such as environmental implications and financial viability.

It said it had initially considered launching flights to nowhere, but canned the idea after the review.

SIA chief executive Goh Choon Phong said the new initiatives will allow the airline to engage its fans and customers, even as the number of flights plunged because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"There has been a lot of interest in our customer engagement initiatives over the last few weeks, and I would like to thank everyone for their great ideas and suggestions," he said.

"We are very encouraged by and grateful for the enthusiasm and passion that we have seen."

A three-hour lunch in the economy class cabin of a Singapore Airlines (SIA) Airbus A-380 will cost $50.

For those who want a better experience, the price goes up to $600 for lunch in the ultra first-class suites.

Meanwhile, a behind-the-scenes tour at SIA's training facility will cost $15 for children between three and 12 years old, and $30 for adults.

Various add-ons, such as $500 for a flight simulator experience for up to three participants, can also be bought on top of the basic tour tickets.

Getting food delivered to the doorstep, though, will be more expensive. Prices will start from $288 for a business-class meal for two and $448 for a first-class meal. These meals will come with a bottle of wine and amenity kits.

The prices stated exclude the 7 per cent GST that customers will also have to pay.

The details were announced by SIA on Thursday (Oct 1), following its decision to launch three new initiatives to engage customers on the ground amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

These initiatives will be done on a limited basis, although a spokesman said SIA will assess the demand before deciding whether to launch additional programmes.

Makansutra founder K.F. Seetoh said many people are unlikely to be willing to pay $288 or $448 for vacuum packed food for two, that they have to heat up themselves, even if delivered to their homes.

And while he acknowledged that SIA engages top chefs to design the menus, the meals here are prepared by caterers and not the chefs themselves.

Mr Aaron Wong, who founded the Milelion website which tracks how to best make use of flight rewards, expects the in-flight dining and tours to be more popular than the home delivered meals.

He said: "The tour is a rare chance for the public to get a first-hand look behind the scenes at SIA’s training facilities, which would be impossible for non-media during regular times."

With the Covid-19 pandemic accelerating the retirement of the A-380 plane worldwide, there may also be fewer opportunities "to experience the largest aircraft in the world", he said.

These are the various offerings:

RESTAURANT A380 @ CHANGI

Credit: SINGAPORE AIRLINES

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An A-380 plane parked at Changi Airport will be converted into a restaurant on Oct 24 and 25. Reservations will start on Oct 12. An A380 plane can usually seat up to about 470 passengers, but it is unclear how the capacity will be affected by safe distancing measures.

Diners who book this package will get to choose the cabin class they want to dine in.

The menu will feature international cuisines and a Peranakan menu customised for the temporary restaurant. Each meal will come with two free alcoholic drinks and free flow of other beverages.

Diners will get other perks, such as KrisShop discounts and a goodie bag. Those who turn up in traditional heritage wear, such as sarong kebaya, cheongsam or saree, will get an extra gift.

SIA said it will take precautions to reduce the risk of spread of the Covid-19 virus. These measures include cleaning and sanitising the plane, capping group sizes at five, implementing safe distancing and doing a temperature check.

Both crew and diners will be required to wear a face mask at all times when on board, except when eating or drinking.

Temporary conversion of an A-380 plane into a restaurant. Bookings from Oct 12.
[["Cabin class","Price (excluding GST)","Miles redemption"],["Economy","$50","6,250 KrisFlyer miles"],["Premium Economy","$90","11,250 KrisFlyer miles"],["Business","$300","37,500 KrisFlyer miles"],["Suites","$600","75,000 KrisFlyer miles"]]

INSIDE SINGAPORE AIRLINES

Credit: SINGAPORE AIRLINES

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This tour of the SIA Training Centre will take place on Nov 21, 22, 28 and 29. Bookings will open from Nov 1.

Visitors will get to talk to pilots and cabin crew about their training and see SIA's flight simulators.

They can also take part in craft activities and buy in-flight meals.

Those who opt to pay extra can even try out the flight simulator that pilots use for training, enjoy a wine appreciation session or go through a grooming workshop conducted by SIA's cabin crew trainers.

Parents can opt for an add-on option to send their child for a junior cabin crew experience. The children can dress up in the SIA sarong kebaya uniform, learn customer service skills and act as cabin crew members in a mock-up of the A380 business class cabin.

A tour of SIA's training facility. Bookings from Nov 1.
[["Ticket type","Price (excluding GST)"],["Adult admission ticket*\n\n*Inclusive of free meal","$30"],["Child admission ticket (for ages 3-12)*\n\n*Inclusive of free meal","$15"],["Add-on flight simulator experience*\n\n*Price is for a group booking for a 30min session in the flight simulator. Up to three participants can take part in each session.","$500"],["Add-on: Junior cabin crew experience*\n\n*Each child will be gifted their own SIA sarong kebaya uniform","$88"],["Add-on: Wine appreciation experience","$38"],["Add-on: Grooming workshop*\n\n*Participants will get a gift of a Lancome make-up palette","$88"]]

SIA @ HOME

Credit: SINGAPORE AIRLINES

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Those who are missing the in-flight dining experience on board an SIA plane can opt to recreate it in their homes, with bookings opening from Oct 5.

The meal, created by SIA's panel of international chefs, is paired with a choice of wine or champagne. Every menu will include SIA's satay dish.

It will come with a first class or business class amenity kit and instructions on how to heat and plate the dishes.

Customers can pay more to book the services of a private chef who will reheat, plate and serve the meal in their homes.

Delivery of first- or business-class meals to homes. Bookings from Oct 5.
[["Package","Inclusions","Price (excluding GST)"],["Wine and Dine First Class","A first-class meal for two based on choice of menu, comprising its signature satay canape, Oscietra caviar, appetiser, main course and dessert. Main course options include international cuisine favourites such as poached lobster and Kyo-Kaiseki.\n\nCustomers may also select either a bottle of Burgundy red or white wine. In addition, they will receive a pair of first-class amenity kits.\n\nAdd-ons available to upgrade the wine to a champagne or include tableware and more of amenities.","Starting from $448"],["Wine and Dine Business Class","A business-class meal for two based on choice of menu, comprising its signature satay canape, appetiser, main course and dessert. Main course options include international cuisine favourites such as Hanakoireki and roasted lamb loin.\n\nCustomers may also select either a bottle of French wine or brut champagne. In addition, they will receive a pair of business-class amenity kits.\n\nAdd-ons available to include tableware and more of amenities.","Starting from $288"]]
This article was first published in The Straits Times.

SIA to launch a 'plane restaurant' and tours

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RESTAURANT A380 @ CHANGI

INSIDE SINGAPORE AIRLINES

SIA @ HOME

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