Business class passengers can stretch out in lie-flat comfort on the 7-hour journey.
Singapore Airlines wants passengers on its Singapore-Cairns flight to enjoy comfort to the max, with the Star Alliance member bringing its new Boeing 737 MAX jet – the one with business class flatbeds – onto the 7-hour route.
The Singaporean flag-carrier only just restarted flights to Cairns this week – a route which before the pandemic was flown by SQ’s regional arm SilkAir, which has since been closed down and absorbed into its parent airline.
Currently scheduled at three flights per week featuring Singapore Airlines’ ‘classic’ Boeing 737, the same domestic workhorse as used by Qantas and Virgin Australia, the route will toggle to five flights per week from May 30.
Louis Arul, Singapore Airlines’ Regional Vice President South West Pacific, says this reflects “our commitment to the North Queensland market.”
“Increasing the number of services per week will provide greater connectivity and help attract more visitors back to this amazing city,” he explain, “while also allowing those in Cairns and surrounds more opportunities to explore our global network.”
As previously reported, travel to Singapore is now largely back to normal, with the country abandoning its Vaccinated Travel Lane system to welcome fully-vaccinated visitors from anywhere in the world, while on-arrival testing and subsequent isolation is also ending.
And once the Boeing 737-8 MAX takes over the route starting April 11, the journey itself will get even better.
In addition to inflight WiFi and seatback video for every passenger – something missing from the former SilkAir fleet – the MAX jets sport a sophisticated business class cabin where the 10 spacious seats convert into a fully flat bed.
Two of those are solo ‘throne’ seats where travellers enjoy added privacy and personal space.
Other creature comforts include a 16″ HD video screen plus AC and USB ports within easy reach; passengers will also enjoy Singapore Airlines’ signature in-flight dining experience.
In another sign of growing confidence in travel, the airline will soon unveil its all-new SilverKris First and The Private Room lounges at Changi Terminal 3 – the final stage in an extensive SGD$50m makeover of its flagship lounges.
They’ll join the sleek SilverKris Business Lounge, which reopened to travellers in November 2021.
It’s not just a haven for high flyers, however: Gold status holders travelling in premium or economy are in for a treat as well, with a fresh KrisFlyer Gold lounge accompanying the reveal of the two new first class lounges.
The new-look lounge is now lighter and brighter, with a greater sense of space, clear work and relaxation zones, and finally has its own bathroom and shower facilities.
Additional reporting by Chris Ashton
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