By Jace Moseley
Singapore Airlines Temporarily Converts Airbus A380 into a Restaurant
As more airlines across the world introduce “flights to nowhere,” Singapore Airlines has taken a step back from that idea with a revolutionary new way to increase cash flow during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the airline has decided to not continue its own flights to nowhere, it has introduced new ways to earn some much needed cash while also giving would-be travelers something to settle their travel hunger.
The most notable of the airline’s three new, innovative programs is the ability to eat onboard one of the airline’s Airbus A380 aircraft. The airline currently has all but one of its fleet of 19 double-decker aircraft in storage, giving the airline the fleet flexibility to convert an aircraft into a temporary restaurant.
Dining in Business Class onboard the Airbus A380 will be temporarily available (Photo: Singapore Airlines)
The A380 restaurant will be open to diners on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25 with reservations opening on Oct. 12. Patrons will select which cabin they wish to dine in, but other details, including prices, are not fully available at the time of writing. There will be a special Peranakan menu created specifically for the event, and restaurant goers will receive special discounts and a goodie bag.
In a statement to The Strait Times, Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong said, “There has been a lot of interest in our customer engagement initiatives over the past few weeks, and I would like to thank everyone for their great ideas and suggestions.”
In addition to the conversion of an aircraft to a restaurant, passengers who miss the Singapore Airlines in-flight service will be able to order meals, crafted by Singapore Airlines’ chefs, to their homes.
First and Business Class meals will be available for home delivery (Photo: Singapore Airlines)
Each delivered meal will feature the carrier’s famous satay dish along with a select choice of wine or champagne. Those who pay slightly extra can hire a private chef to specially reheat the airline’s meal upon arrival to their house.
Those wishing to stay away from airplane food but still waning for a way to experience some sense of travel will be able to book a tour of Singapore Airlines’ Training Centre. There will be four days of tours spanning the last two weekends in November. Attendees will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes with the airline and speak to pilots and cabin crew. They will also have the ability to see simulators used during the airline’s training process.
One of Singapore Airlines’ mockup cabin trainers (Photo: Singapore Airlines)
In-flight meals will be available to purchase on the tours. Additional options including flying training simulators, wine tastings and even the opportunity for young children to experience what it is like to be a business class cabin crew member on Singapore’s A380s.
Like many airlines around the world, Singapore Airlines has felt the effects of the lack of travel demand in a serious way. In June, the airline announced their second-quarter earnings, which showed a 1.123 billion Singapore dollar ($816 million) loss.
Being from Seattle, Jace was bitten by the aviation bug at a young age and never outgrew it. Although none of his family is in the industry, he has always wanted to work in aviation in some capacity. He currently in college studying air traffic management.