Flying high with the A350
THIS year is full of
important milestones
for Singapore Airlines
– the airline not only
celebrates its 70th birthday
but also, in March, its 25th
year of flying to South Africa.
From operating a Boeing
747-300 on two weekly
flights, the airline now
operates a daily service
to Johannesburg using an
A350-900.
The aircraft was
first introduced on its
Johannesburg-Singapore
service in June last
year, with three weekly
flights between the two
destinations. In October,
the A350 was introduced
on the airline’s Cape Town
service via Johannesburg
on Sundays, Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Fridays.
Sally George, market
development manager of
Singapore Airlines, says the
carrier has been able to
increase its business-class
capacity by 40% with the
introduction of the A350.
Previously, the Boeing 777-
200ER had a two-class
configuration, with 26 seats
in business class and 245
in economy class. She adds
that demand for business
class is particularly high for
weekend travel on the route.
The A350 also provides
travellers with a premium
economy option. The
aircraft has 42 businessclass
seats, 24 in premium
economy and 187 in
economy class. “There
was definitely a need in
the market for something
that is a little step-up from
economy, because the
jump between economy
and business can cost four
times as much,” says Sally.
She says people are willing
to pay a bit extra for more
comfort, leg-room and other
benefits.
Premium economy
passengers receive a
baggage allowance of two
pieces with a total weight of
35kg, priority check-in, and
those who are members
of the airline’s KrisFlyer
loyalty programme receive
10% more miles than the
standard economy-class
fares.
SQ celebrates ASEAN with discounted fares
THE Association of
Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) celebrates its
50th anniversary this
year. The association
was established to
increase economic
and social growth, and
cultural development
between Southeast Asian
countries.
The founding member
states are Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore and Thailand,
with Brunei, Vietnam,
Laos, Myanmar and
Cambodia joining later.
To celebrate the
anniversary of the
association, Singapore
Airlines is running
promotional fares to
nine of the 10 ASEAN
countries. Economy-class
fares from Johannesburg
start from R7 810 and
premium economy fares
start from R13 460, both
including taxes. This
offer is valid for sale until
February 14 for travel
until December 7. Return
business-class fares start
from R26 920, including
taxes. This offer is valid
for sale until February 14
for travel until January 7.
For more information, visit
Travelinfo.
Photocap: 25 years to SA!
Singapore Airlines is celebrating 25 years of flying to South
Africa. Pictured here from the airline are Sally George
(left), and Brenda Mitchell, district sales manager. The
airline’s first flight to Johannesburg from Singapore was
on March 29, 1992, a route that it operated twice weekly.
The carrier now flies daily to Johannesburg and four times
weekly to Cape Town (via JNB) using its new A350 aircraft.
Seven must- do evnts in Singapore
1. Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year took
place on January 28 but the
celebrations will extend long
after the final countdown.
Until February 25, Eu Tong
Sen Street, New Bridge Road
and South Bridge Road in
Chinatown will be a glittering
display of lanterns resembling
baby chicks, roosters and
hens to celebrate the arrival
of the year of the rooster.
2. Fashion Steps Out
Orchard Road will become a
mecca of fashion from March
28 to May 5. During the
opening, the street will close
to traffic as it turns into a
catwalk for models displaying
the upcoming trends for the
Northern hemisphere’s spring
and summer season.
3. HSBC Women’s
Championship 2017
Women’s golf takes to
Sentosa Golf Club’s New
Tanjong’s Course from March
2-5. The world’s top female
golfers will compete for a
Ladies Professional Golf
Association title.
4. Super Rugby 2017
From March 5 to May 5,
Singapore’s National Stadium
will host Japan’s Sunwolves
as they battle it out against
the Kings, Stormers and
Sharks.
5. Vesak Day
On May 21, Singapore
will celebrate the birth of
Buddha. Buddhists wake
early to visit temples around
the country.
6. National Day
Singapore celebrates
its independence on
August 9. People dress
buildings, houses and
their cars in the country’s
red and white flags in
honour of National Day.
Spectators can enjoy a
military parade, song
and dance performances,
and a fireworks show.
7. Singapore Intl
Festival of Art
For just over a month,
artists from around the
world move in for this
festival. From August
11 to September 17,
visitors can enjoy street
performers, take in a
theatre show and enjoy
live music.
Stay on the right side of the law
SINGAPORE Airlines’ Sally
George says Singapore is
often called the ‘Fine City’,
with citizens and visitors
alike sometimes receiving
fines for the smallest
infractions. Travellers
should be cautious
and obey the law,
as it is strictly
enforced.
In June last
year, Singapore
added three new
places to its list of
smoking prohibited
areas: reservoirs, and
parks in public and private
housing estates. A fine for
smoking in a prohibited area
can be as much as S$1 000
(R9 340). Singapore’s
National Environmental
Agency (NEA) says smoking
is prohibited within a fivemetre
radius of the entrance
or exit of a building, as
well as at bus stops.
Designated smoking
areas are clearly
signposted.
According to the
NEA’s website,
the Singaporean
government’s
long-term goal is
to ban smoking
in all public areas
to protect non-smokers
from the harmful effects of
second-hand smoke.
Litterbugs can face a
S$300 (R2 800) fine if
caught dropping trash
anywhere but a dustbin.
Travellers are also advised
to leave chewing gum at
home, because bringing it
into Singapore is illegal,
says the UK’s Foreign &
Commonwealth Office.
According to Singapore
Statutes Online, the
penalty for contravening
this regulation is a fine of
S$100 000 (R933 600) or a
two-year prison sentence.
According to the FCO,
vaporisers, including
e-cigarettes, e-cigars,
e-pipes and refills, are
illegal in Singapore. It is
likely that these items
will be confiscated and a
traveller could face a fine or
imprisonment.
Book it!
Edusport Travel is offering a three-night Singapore Sevens package from R9 190pps. The package
includes three nights’ accommodation in a four-star hotel, breakfast, guaranteed official match tickets
for two days as per selected ticket category and the couriering of documents to major cities in South
Africa. This offer is valid from April 15-18.
Keep connected
TRAVELLERS who are
looking to stay connected
throughout their time in
Singapore can avoid the
high cost of international
roaming by hiring a pocketsized
mobile router from a
Changi Recommends desk
at Changi International
Airport.
From S$10 (R94) a
day, users have unlimited
access to high-speed
Internet.
To make
sure your
client is
guaranteed
a device
on arrival,
one can be
reserved
online up
to three days before
travel through the Changi
Recommends website.
Following the reservation,
a confirmation email with
a reservation form will be
sent within one working
day. Travellers should
keep a printed copy of the
reservation form to present
to the collection desk
along with their passport.
A S$200 (R1 870) deposit
is also required upon
collection. Full payment is
made on return.
As well as the mobile
router, the traveller will also
get a SIM card, USB cable,
AC socket plug and a bag.
To connect to the Internet,
the mobile router and
user’s
personal
device
need to be
on. Under
the WiFi
settings
of the
personal
device,
search for the router’s SSID
and enter the key – both
can be found on the back
of the router.
The user can connect up
to eight devices.
To reserve a device
for a client, visit www.
changirecommends.com.
