August 5, 2004 -- In June, Singapore Airlines introduced its fleet of state-of-the-art Airbus A340-500 long-range aircrafts to service the Newark to Singapore route. This 18 hour non-stop flight is now the longest commercial international flight available. You may be thinking how could anyone spend 18 hours on a plane without a break?
If you think about what you are gaining rather than losing, you will realize that this option saves you 4 - 6 hours flying time based on the existing routes by various carriers that usually stop in Europe (Frankfurt) or in Tokyo. For both business and leisure travelers this can be an enormous difference. There's also the novelty factor of leaving New York late at night and arriving in Singapore for breakfast...albeit two calendar days later!
Singapore Airlines has configured the A340-500 with only 181 seats (64 flat-bed seats in business and 117 seats in executive style economy) despite there being room for 250 seats. Leaving out those seats left space to create greater legroom for all passengers and a small self-service snack bar area where passengers can stretch their legs and congregate. The economy seats have a spacious 37-inch gap between your seat and the one in front of you, and they also have the same in-flight entertainment systems as business class - individual video screens with 400 on-demand video and audio selections including 60 movies.
Visit herefor more details about what makes the A340-500 service on Singapore Airlines so unique.
This fall (September 5th - October 31st) you can experience this new flying phenomenon with daily departures for as little as $1,110 (+ approx $80 in taxes) roundtrip (Tel: 800/742-3333 www.singaporeair.com). Non-stop flights on Singapore Airlines from Los Angeles for the same period are $1,132.
Compare that with the low price option for a non-direct New York to Singapore airfare (via Tokyo) with United Airlines for only $788 + taxes through Air Gorilla (www.airgorilla.com). With a flight time of 24 hours, it may not be difficult to see the advantages of paying a premium for the luxury of those extra six hours of shopping, doing business, enjoying Asian culinary delights or lazing by the hotel pool.
Whether you're traveling to Singapore on business, pleasure or even a combination of the two, Asian Affairs Holidays (www.asianaffairholidays.com), the vacation arm of Singapore Airlines, is offering 2 and 4 night stop over specials in Singapore when you fly Singapore Airlines.
Strangely their A340-500 airfare plus 4 night accommodation packages are more expensive than purchasing the two components separately - $1680 versus $1470. Both options include 4 nights at the 5 star Marina Mandarin or Pan Pacific Hotel, roundtrip airport transfers and daily breakfasts. The only difference that seems to come with the $210 extra is that the combined package offers a complimentary Singapore River Experience and admission to the Chinatown Heritage Center, whereas buying the accommodation separately gives you a ½ day city tour instead.
Asian Affairs Holidays also offers a wide selection of Asian add-ons, for example, for $360 more you can add on a Bangkok excursion that includes 3 nights of 5 star accommodation and return airfare from Singapore to Bangkok.
Or escape to the island paradise of Bintan, only a 45-minute ferry ride away. Singapore Airlines has a stopover holiday rate starting at $81 for 2 nights or $140 for 5 nights at this world-class resort destination with powdery sand beaches, crystal-clear water and lush tropical greenery. The packages include accommodation at the Nirwana Resort Hotel (dual occupancy), daily breakfast and return transfers to the ferry points. Ferry charges are an additional $21 for off-peak travel and$27 for weekends and public holidays. Email: tradewinds_intsales@singaporeair.com.sg for Bintan package bookings.
Singapore makes an ideal step-off point to the rest of South East Asia, with almost hourly connecting flights to most major cities from Changi International Airport and regular connections to popular island resorts in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.
Singapore itself is a unique destination, due in part to its strategic location, its rich colonial history and its multicultural population made up of predominantly Chinese, Malay and Indian communities...with a spattering of ex-patriots to make for an interesting mix. Its compact size (a little over 400 square miles in total) makes it easy to explore.
Although shopping is often recognized as the significant draw card, Singapore's reputation for excellent food is also one of its main attractions. From the authenticity of its many Hawker style outdoor markets (like Newton Circus and Lau Passat)), specializing in exotic combinations of Malaysian and Hokkien delicacies, to mouth-watering Chinese dim-sum weekend brunches, or the experience of eating traditional Indian food from banana leaves using your hands - flatware optional.
Another distinctly Singapore experience is High Tea, a late afternoon tradition left over from Colonial rule. At the Shangri La Hotel (www.shangri-la.com), an authentic tea experience awaits you, offering over 200 different types of tea served in exquisite fine bone china. Alternatively, try High Tea at the famous Raffles Hotel (www.raffleshotel.com) for ultimate colonial ambience, or on the 70th floor of the Stamford Hotel for a more modern experience and breathtaking views over Singapore.
Current Exchange Rate - $US1 = $SGD1.72