Singapore Airlines today announced a range of changes to its operations in Australia effective from 1 May 2018 providing customers in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra with increased travel options. 

The most significant change will be to operations in Canberra, with the service to be de-linked from Wellington and increased to daily operations with a new Singapore-Sydney-Canberra-Singapore routing.

The new daily flight, numbered SQ288, will also see a change to the aircraft type flying to the Australian capital with the current Boeing 777-200 replaced with a Boeing 777-300ER.

Fitted with 264 seats, customers travelling to and from Canberra will be provided with the choice of four First Class, 48 Business Class, 28 Premium Economy Class and 184 Economy Class seats.

The new service will also act as Sydney's fifth daily flight delivering customers a new late night departure from Sydney at 21:20.

The addition of SQ288 will provide Sydney customers a total of 35 weekly flight options on a year round basis, all of which will feature four cabin classes, including Premium Economy.

As part of the schedule changes Melbourne customers will also benefit from increased services, as well as access to a new destination with SQ247/248 increasing to four times weekly and being linked to Wellington.

Currently operated with an Airbus A330 three times a week, SQ247/248 will change to a Boeing 777-200 and operate on a Singapore-Melbourne-Wellington vv routing four times weekly.

The flight will also change departure and arrival times with the Singapore departure moving from 02:00 to 19:45 arriving into Melbourne at 05:10 the next day. The aircraft will then continue on to Wellington at 07:00 arriving in the New Zealand capital at 12:20.

The return flight will depart Wellington at 13:45 arriving in Melbourne at 15:30 before departing again at 16:50 and arriving in Singapore at 22:45.

Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President, Mr Philip Goh, said the changes being made would provide greater choice to customers in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

“We continue to expand our operations here in Australia and these changes will help to meet the growing demand we have seen in the three cities,” Mr Goh said.

“Increasing services to Canberra and deploying a different aircraft type allows us to offer more travel options from a schedule perspective as well as additional premium cabins, reinforcing our commitment to the ACT and surrounding region.

“In Sydney we have offered customers a fifth daily flight on a seasonal basis, however these changes will deliver a fifth flight on a year round basis as well as a late night departure.

“The changes we are making in Melbourne will help to meet the growing demand we have seen from the Victorian capital as well as provide our customers with the additional option of a trans-Tasman escape.”

After launching in September 2016, SQ291/292 will undertake its final flight from Canberra on 30 April 2018 and Mr Goh says the changes will provide increased benefits in the long term for both cities.

“Over the past 16 months we have worked closely with the tourism bodies in Canberra and Wellington,” Mr Goh said.

“While the route has grown since we launched, the changes we are implementing will be of greater benefit to both Canberra and Wellington in the long term.

“We will continue to work with the tourism bodies in each city to grow awareness, visitation and travel to the two capitals.”

Subject to regulatory approval all of the changes announced today will take effect from Tuesday 1 May 2018 with tickets made available for booking from tomorrow, Thursday 25 January.

Customers booked and ticketed prior to Wednesday 24 January to travel on SQ291/292 from 1 May onwards will be offered alternate travel arrangements.

Complete schedules of the new flights along with product information for each service can be found below.

 SIN-SYD-CBR-SIN

*All times are in Local Time.

Operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

First Class:

• Fixed-back shell design with curved side panels for privacy & exclusivity
• 35-inch wide seat upholstered in the finest leather
• Bespoke stowage compartments & stylish control panel
• Full-flat bed length of 82-inches
• 1-2-1 forward facing seating
• 24-inch HD LCD screen, with a touch screen handset

Business Class:

• Greater recline at 132 degrees
• 28-inch wide full-flat bed, at 78 inches in length
• Spacious 1-2-1 forward facing seating configuration
• 2 new sitting positions, Lazy Z & Sundeck, for more comfort and flexibility in lounging
• All-in-one business panel with in-seat power supply, USB and HDMI ports
• 18-inch HD LCD screen, with touch screen handset
• Side console conveniently located within reach in both seat and bed mode

Premium Economy Class:

• 8-inch recline to lounge & relax perfectly
• 38-inch seat pitch for more room to stretch out
• Easier access with 2-4-2 cabin layout
• 13.3-inch full HD touchscreen monitors
• Wider selection with 3 choices of main course
• Priority Check-In, Boarding & Baggage Handling
• 35kg baggage allowance

Economy Class:

• Wide 18.6-inch seat
• Personal 11.1-inch touch screen monitor
• New backrest cushion comes with bolstered sides for better back support
• Adjustable ergonomically sculpted headrests
• Enjoy a selection of Asian & International dishes
• Over 1,000 entertainment options with Krisworld
• Personal non-intrusive reading light

SIN-MEL-WLGvv

*All times are in Local Time.

Operated by a Boeing 777-200 aircraft.

Business Class:

• 8-degree incline-flat leather seat
• 2-2-2 forward facing seating configuration
• Fixed-back shell design & pull-out panel between seats that offers enhanced privacy
• High resolution 15.4-inch widescreen LCD
• Adjustable headrest and lumbar support
• Business panel with in-seat power supply
• Dedicated stowage for laptop & personal items

Economy Class:

• Wide 18-inch seat
• Seat pitch of 32-inches
• Seat recline of 6-inches
• Easily accessible seatback-mounted handset
• 10.6-inch widescreen LCD
• Over 1,000 entertainment options with Krisworld

About Singapore Airlines 

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has proudly serviced Australia since 1967, currently operating 133 weekly flights from six Australian cities. Alongside its regional wing, SilkAir, and low cost carrier Scoot, SIA provides access to a global network of 136 destinations in 37 countries through the world-famous Changi Airport hub.

SIA recently launched its newest range of industry-leading cabin products to be rolled out across its A380 fleet, representing an US$850 million investment. The revamped products offer a new level of luxury and privacy for Suites and Business Class passengers, as well as enhanced Premium Economy and Economy products providing customers with increased comfort. Travellers can experience the new products from Sydney to Singapore, and from February 2018 on select flights from Singapore to London and Hong Kong.

For full details on SIA group's current services from Australia to Singapore, please see below: