NEW ZEALAND GETS AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT WITH RETURN OF SINGAPORE AIRLINES’ A380

Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced it will boost capacity to New Zealand from November with the return of its flagship Airbus A380 to Auckland and additional services to Christchurch to help cater for the peak in travel demand at year’s end.

From 22 November, the Singapore-Auckland service will welcome the return of the 471-seater superjumbo, replacing the A350-900, delivering an additional 1,526 seats a week between the two cities.

The A380 will operate to Auckland from 22 November 2023 through to 31 March 2024, with SQ285 scheduled to depart Singapore at 22:25 local time and arrive in Auckland the following day at 13:20.

The return service, SQ286, will depart Auckland at 15:15 and arrive back at Singapore’s Changi Airport at 20:55.

Singapore Airlines General Manager New Zealand, Mr George Robertson, said the return of the popular A380 underlined SIA’s commitment to serving the New Zealand market.

“For close to 50 years, SIA has operated to Aotearoa helping to keep the country connected to the world,” Mr Robertson said.

“Re-deploying our A380 to Auckland to help meet the demand for travel during the busy year-end period, reinforces our commitment to New Zealand.

“The return of seasonal A380 operations also marks a significant milestone in our continued recovery since borders re-opened to New Zealand a little over a year ago.

“When SQ285 touches down in Auckland on 23 November, it will be the first time our A380 has operated scheduled services to New Zealand since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March of 2020.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the A380 back and I am confident our customers will be eager to experience the amazing level of comfort it offers.”

The A380 is fitted with six luxurious Suites, privately located at the front of the upper deck. Behind the Suites, 78 Business Class seats are configured in a 1-2-1 layout delivering customers direct aisle access from every seat.

On the main deck, the Premium Economy Cabin is located in the nose of the A380, offering customers a secluded cabin of 44 seats in a 2-4-2 layout, while Economy Class is fitted with 343 ergonomically designed seats in a 3-4-3 layout.

To support the increased demand for travel to and from the South Island, subject to regulatory approval, Singapore Airlines will also mount an additional three flights a week between Singapore and Christchurch.

Starting from 19 November 2023, through to 16 February 2024 the additional three-times weekly service will operate on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from Singapore and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Christchurch.

“The additional flights into Christchurch will add a further 759 seats a week to the South Island and support what is shaping to be a busy period for inbound and outbound travel,” Mr Robertson added.

“These flights will provide customers with a total of 10 flights a week between Singapore and Christchurch, delivering a range of options to meet their travel needs.

“Customers will also have access to a range of additional connections to key destinations across Europe, the sub-Continent and North Asia.”

Operated by an A350-900, customers will have the option of travelling in one of the 42 Business Class, 24 Premium Economy or 187 Economy Class seats onboard the 253-seat aircraft.

Departing Changi Airport at 22:00 local time, SQ295 will arrive in Christchurch the next day at 12:50. The return flight, SQ296, will then depart Christchurch at 14:20, arriving in Singapore at 20:00.

The additional Christchurch flights will be progressively loaded into the system for sale from Thursday 25 May.

Singapore Airlines joint venture partner, Air New Zealand, will continue to operate a daily service from Auckland to Singapore over the year end peak period.

Together, the joint venture partners will operate a total of 21 weekly flights between the two countries.

Since launching in 2015, the Singapore Airlines Air New Zealand joint venture has delivered customers more seats and travel options between Aotearoa and the world.

Auckland Flight Schedule wef from 22 November