Singapore Airlines welcomed a new aircraft to its home base on March 28, 2018. The Boeing 787-10 landed at Changi Airport where it was greeted by a water cannon salute (main photo).
The newest variant of the Dreamliner family had just completed a delivery flight from the manufacturer’s production facility in North Charleston, South Carolina in the US, with a stopover in Osaka, Japan.
Gracing the welcome party was Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan (above; second from left), and beneficiaries from the Association for Persons with Special Needs Katong School.
The Airline is the first in the world to take delivery of the plane, with another 48 being manufactured for it. It will be deployed primarily on medium-haul routes in the Asia-Pacific region.
Accommodated in its 68.3m length are the Airline’s next-generation regional cabin products across its 36 Business Class and 301 Economy Class seats. These new offerings will gradually be rolled out on flights of up to eight hours.
For the guests present, the highlight of the event must surely have been the chance to board the latest Dreamliner and view the new cabin products in their intended environment.
Manufactured by Stelia Aerospace, the new regional Business Class seats (above) on the 787-10s are arranged in a forward-facing 1-2-1 staggered configuration to provide every customer direct aisle access.
With each seat able to recline directly into a 76” fully-flat bed, Business Class customers can rest in more comfort, even on the shortest flights. Customers will have more options to relax in their seat while being entertained by KrisWorld, SIA’s award-winning in-flight entertainment system, on their personal 18” full high-definition touchscreen monitor, powered by Panasonic’s latest eX3 system.
Each seat measures up to 26” in width with retractable armrests that can be raised and lowered. Whether travelling alone or with a partner, adjustable dividers at the centre seats provide for a customised level of privacy to suit individual preferences.
Customers can keep warm with the baby-soft fleece blanket, and enjoy the trimmings padded with Alcantara, the same material found in the interiors of luxury sports cars and yachts. The amenities are now supplied by British perfumer Penhaligon’s.
The neighbouring Economy Class cabin is arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration (above), and designed with blue or grey dress fittings for a sleeker look. Customers can look forward to the six-way adjustable headrest, and an ergonomically designed contour backrest.
Cabin products aside, the new aircraft stands out for its suite of advanced technologies that enhances the flying experience. These include improved air filtration systems for better cabin air quality, higher cabin pressure and humidity, and engine noise reduction capabilities.
The new Dreamliner also boasts windows measuring 19” tall, so the view outside is visible from anywhere on the plane. If need be, they can be electronically dimmed to control the amount of natural light illuminating the cabin.
With so many exciting new firsts, the reluctance expressed by guests to disembark the plane was surely understandable. Fortunately, they do not need to wait long to enjoy it again. The aircraft will start serving Osaka on May 3. First flight to the second destination – Perth, Australia – will be in May as well, the exact date is yet to be announced.
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings.
