So much for playing A380 roulette. As per AusBT, Singapore Airlineโs launch of its new A380 cabin products may be delayed until the start of next year.
With every day that passes Iโve grown more and more skeptical that weโd see a product launch this year. At first I thought theyโd announce the products in the run up to NDP to capitalize on the nationalistic fervor, Then I thought theyโd at least launch it by the end of 2017 as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations. But the fact is, weโve heard absolutely nothing up to now. Apart from some vague confirmation that the new A380s will launch on the SIN-SYD route, itโs been radio silence on all fronts. We only have one photo of the new A380, and thatโs an exterior shot on its ferry flight from Toulouse to Hamburg back in March 2017.
Iโm currently holding three confirmed Suites award tickets that I booked speculatively a few months ago-
- SQ221, 1 Dec SIN-SYD
- SQ231, 2 Dec SIN-SYD
- SQ308, 2 Dec SIN-LHR (booked when I was trying to hedge between LHR and SYD as launch locations)
The more I think about it, the more I feel time is running out for a product launch this year. All major media outlets (The Milelion notwithstanding) will presumably be invited to the media event, and they havenโt announced anything yet in the way of dates. Iโm assuming that one monthโs notice is the general standard in the aviation industry for media invites. Based on whatโs happened in the past, hereโs the gap between product announcement and first flight
- 2006 Business/First Class: Announced 17 Oct, Launched 6 Dec (59 days)
- 2013 Business/First Class: Announced 9 July, Launched 27 Sept (80 days)
- 2015 Premium Economy: Announced 21 May, Launched 9 Aug (80 days)
So letโs take the average of 2.5 months minimum for that. This gives us 3.5 months of buffer, meaning that weโre looking at best at a around Christmas/after Christmas launch. At best.
If we havenโt heard anything by the end of the month, Iโll begin moving some of these bookings to Feb/March of next year. If you, like me, hold speculative bookings, you might want to consider your options too.
Very speculative indeed. Good luck!
Feb might be too early. SIA is projecting it for the end of the current FY, with Sydney followed London. It is safer to aim for end-March onwards:
https://www.ausbt.com.au/singapore-airlines-new-airbus-a380-may-not-fly-until-early-2018
All the best!
I am so sad. I had a confirmed booking on Suite Class in Dec to SYD and was hoping to try the new product. My family holiday plans are firm, so much for any roulette games
No way would SQ unveil new products on national day. โ theyโd be fighting for media space and public attention on arguably the biggest news day of the Singaporean year. SQ will want maximum exposure, which means you avoid any big event like this. I still expect a launch of product for all four classes by yearโs end, and weโve heard November, ahead of any actual delivery flight. We also need to be mindful of EKโs launch at the Dubai Air Show on Nov 12, so Iโd bet SQ will not launch a few days either side of that inโฆ Read more ยป
thanks for the insights david. yeah definitely not on national day, but i was thinking the run up period (1 month before maybe) would be possible, in the same way that SQ got on the SG50 bandwagon a few years back. Anyway, are you able to disclose how far in advance youโve historically received the invite to such events? that would provide a further idea re: time buffer for when a launch is possible. if my observations from history are correct, thereโs typically a 2-2.5 month period between launch and first flight, so if itโs like you say end ofโฆ Read more ยป