Premium A340 service operates from EWR, LAX

Singapore Airlines (singaporeair.com) has launched the first all-business-class flights between North America and Asia, operating daily between Newark and Singapore on Airbus A340-500 aircraft reconfigured with 100 business-class seats that convert to fully flat beds. The seats measure 30 inches across and are arranged in a four-abreast, 1-2-1 layout for direct aisle access. Seats also include the KrisWorld entertainment system, with more than 1,000 on-demand options and the ability to enjoy personal audio and video content from an iPod or iPhone. USB thumb drives can be plugged in for viewing holiday snapshots with the Photo Viewer or watching videos on the Media Player on the 15.4-inch, wide-screen LCD monitor.

Passengers can set their own dining times with a new flexi-dining service and à la carte menu. Five of the airline’s A340-500s are being converted from a two-class configuration to all-business-class seating. By late October 2008, Singapore Airlines plans to fly daily all-business-class flights from Los Angeles to Singapore.