Singapore Airlines redefines long-haul air travel with the launch of its new all-Business Class service to New York (Newark).

SQ 22 departed Singapore today at 1100hrs and is expected to arrive in New York at 1750hrs. The return flight, SQ 21, will depart New York at 2300hrs the same day, and arrive in Singapore at 0550hrs on 17 May (all times local).

The newly reconfigured Airbus A340-500 is fitted with 100 of the Airline's new award-winning Business Class seats. With this new configuration, Singapore Airlines is the first to operate an all-Business Class service on the transpacific.

Each leather-upholstered Business Class seat measures 30 inches (76 cm) in width; almost 50 percent wider than most products in this class. Providing customers with more personal space and privacy, the seats are arranged in a 4-abreast, 1-2-1, layout, with every seat having direct access to the aisle.  When it is time to sleep, the new Business Class seat converts into a fully-flat bed.

Singapore Airlines' Executive Vice-President Marketing and the Regions, Huang Cheng Eng, says the all-Business Class service is in response to demand from corporate travellers.

"Our direct flights to the US have always been well-received. With this newly reconfigured aircraft, we will be increasing our Business Class capacity, and offering our customers travelling to the US, the opportunity to experience our award-winning new Business Class seat."

The conversion of all five of the Airline's A340-500s to an all-Business Class seating is being carried out in phases. For now, the all-Business Class A340-500 operates three times weekly (see Annex 1), with daily services to New York by end June. By late September 2008, Singapore Airlines will also fly the all-Business Class service to Los Angeles daily.

New Enhancements to KrisWorld

Sit back, relax, and be entertained with KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines' award-winning inflight entertainment system. Apart from 1,000 on-demand options, KrisWorld now boasts new enhancements that offer customers greater control and choices on how to spend their time.

Customers can now easily enjoy their personal audio and video content from their iPod or iPhone on KrisWorld.

"This is a very important step in our efforts to bring passengers the ultimate entertainment experience," said Paul Margis, Chief Executive Officer at Panasonic Avionics Corporation. "Integrating personal portable players with Panasonics eX2 in-flight entertainment system allows the world's leading airlines to increase the value of entertainment experiences to passengers."Customers can also plug in their USB thumb drives and view holiday snapshots with Photo Viewer or watch videos on Media Player on the 15.4-inch widescreen LCD monitor.

Other ways customers can entertain themselves during the long-haul flight include learning a new language with Berlitz® Word Traveler or turning to the interactive ZagatSurvey® Restaurant and Hotel Guide to search for recommendations on where to eat or stay at their destinations.  With KrisWorld, customers can be sure there will never be a dull moment.

Navigating KrisWorld has also been made easier with the new 'Quick Select' feature, which gives customers more convenient, direct access to movies, TV programmes, music and radio channels. Simply refer to KrisWorld magazine for the relevant three-digit channel number and enter the number using the handset. It is that easy.

More dining options

Savour World Gourmet Cuisine designed by the Airline's International Culinary Panel of world-renowned chefs. The culinary creations are paired with fine wines and champagne and served with full restaurant-style table settings.  In-between meals, customers can head to the Passenger Corner to pick up snacks and drinks or socialise during the flight.

Singapore Airlines now offers even more flexible dining options. Customers traveling from New York to Singapore on SQ 21 can set their own dining times with the new flexi-dining service. Customers can choose from the gourmet a-la-carte menu which features a wide selection of soups and salads, mains, and desserts. Flexi-dining is available after supper and up to two-and-a-half hours before arrival in Singapore.