First A380 starts flying this week for Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines has taken delivery of the first Airbus A380 super-jumbo, and will put it into commercial service this week. The double-decked plane will fly from Singapore to Sydney and back on October 25, a special operation with most seats sold on eBay and proceeds going to charity. Then it will begin routine commercial service on Sunday (October 28), operating one of SIA’s thee daily flights between Singapore and Sydney. Singapore said its A380s will have some of the passenger-pleasing features that it already has installed on its long-range 777s. First class isn’t called first class – it’s called Singapore Airlines Suites, and there are 12 of them on the main deck. The seat is a meter wide, fully adjustable, and passengers get a separate bed – not a pushed-down seat – with mattress, duvet and cushions. Each suite has a 23-inch LCD screen to access the Krisworld entertainment system, which offers up to100 movies, 180 TV shows, 700 music CDs, educational options, even office software. The A380 will have 60 business class seats on the upper deck, and 399 economy seats on both decks. Business class provides a seat that’s 34 inches wide (the world’s widest, the airline claims), reclines to a fully flat position for sleeping, and is configured 1-2-1. Business flyers get individual 15.4-inch LCD screens as well as USB ports and power ports, and a height-adjustable dining table. The business cabin has a “pantry” area where guests can snack between meals and socialize. Each economy seat comes with a 10.6-inch screen, reading light, coat hook, power supply, footrest and special storage space for small items like glasses.