Singapore Airlines has dropped plans to “fly nowhere” and instead will offer dining, meal delivery and tours.
Rather than offer flights that depart from and return to Changi Airport, the airline will seek to offset revenue pain by selling three near-flight experiences in the coming months: dining aboard a grounded Airbus A380, guided tours of its training facilities and home delivery of “premium” in-flight meals.
The dining experiences will be hosted aboard an Airbus A380 on Oct. 24 and 25. Diners can choose from the airline’s special menus such as international cuisine and a Peranakan menu. Those who turn up in traditional attire will receive online shop discounts, a limited goody bag and more. Reservations open from Oct. 12 onward.
During the last two weekends of November, visitors can attend behind-the-scenes tours of airline training facilities to learn more about their pilots and cabin crew. SIA says the tours will feature its 73 years of SIA history. Children can take home the airline uniforms after role playing as cabin crew while the adults can operate a flight simulator, indulge in wine and attend a grooming workshop that teaches makeup techniques used on their cabin crew. Bookings open from Nov. 1.
Those who’d rather keep their distance and stay at home can choose from 10 menu selections including SIA’s First Class and Business Class meals that come with wine or champagne. Orders start Oct. 5.
Enhanced cleaning procedures will be implemented along with the necessary precautionary measures such as temperature screening and safe distancing, the airline said. All reservations, bookings and orders can be completed at its website.
SIA said it dropped plans to fly locals around for three hours after conducting a review.
“An idea for a one-off short tour flight, or a “flight to nowhere”, was also initially considered but not pursued after the review,” the airline said in a statement today.
Singapore Airlines should go vegan to cut carbon before flying ‘nowhere,’ PETA says
Members of the public who had petitioned the airline to drop the plan in favor of less environmentally harmful alternatives applauded the decision.
“Good on you SQ, for shelving flights to nowhere. This is more meaningful. And socially/environmentally responsible,” Facebook user Nicholas Pang said yesterday.
“Whatever it takes SIA! Go for it! We have to support our national carrier! They have delivered so well all these years!!!” Facebooker Zaharah Ismail wrote Tuesday.
Since the pandemic curtailed air travel, the airline has been hit with deep losses and thousands of layoffs. Just last week, animal rights group PETA proposed that the airline serve vegan meals aboard its flights to “nowhere” to offset carbon emissions in line with its goal of reducing them by half within 30 years.
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Singapore Airlines should go vegan to cut carbon before flying ‘nowhere,’ PETA says
