Latest news with #SingaporeAirlines'
Business Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
SIA chairman Peter Seah redesignated as non-independent director after AGM
[SINGAPORE] National carrier Singapore Airlines' (SIA) chairman Peter Seah was redesignated as a non-independent director at the conclusion of its uneventful 53rd annual general meeting (AGM) on Friday (Jul 25). The chairman's re-election was one of the nine resolutions tabled for the proceedings at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. It garnered the lowest votes among all the resolutions, at 87.04 per cent, in favour of retaining him. He was first appointed to the board as director in September 2015, and his role was elevated to chairman in January 2017. Thus, Seah was redesignated as non-independent in accordance with the Singapore Exchange rule which stipulates that a director of a listed company will not be independent If he or she has served for an aggregate period of more than nine years. Presently, Seah also sits on the board of directors at DBS . A career banker for more than 30 years previously, the 78-year-old was with the former Overseas Union Bank between 1977 and 2001, retiring as vice-chairman and chief executive officer. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up The hundreds of shareholders present at the SIA AGM, meanwhile, did not have a single question for the flag carrier's board and senior management. They cleared all nine resolutions, including the proposed final dividend of S$0.30 per share for FY2025 ended March, at the proceedings, which lasted about an hour. The group posted a record full-year net profit of S$2.8 billion for FY2025 because of a one-off non-cash accounting gain of S$1.1 billion from the Air India-Vistara merger. The corporate action in 2024 led to SIA holding a 25.1 per cent share in the merged entity. Vistara was a 49 per cent associated company of SIA, before the merger took place. The gain aside, earnings for FY2025 would have been 37.2 per cent lower at S$1.7 billion for SIA. The counter rose 0.3 per cent or S$0.02 to close on Friday at S$7.57.
Sydney Morning Herald
22-06-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
New planes were meant to be more comfortable. Here's why it didn't happen
Quick quiz for airline enthusiasts: flying economy class aboard Singapore Airlines, would you rather sit in one of the airline's Boeing 777 aircraft or a Boeing 787? The 787 Dreamliner is newer, its cabin is pressurised to a lower altitude, which means more oxygen in your lungs, the seat back comes with a slightly larger in-flight entertainment screen and both aircraft have the same 3-3-3 seating configuration, but there's one crucial factor that makes the 777 the aircraft I'd prefer to fly on. On Singapore Airlines' 777s, the seat width is 18 inches (45.7cm);* aboard the 787, the tape measure says 17 inches (43.2cm). That's just 2.5 centimetres, less than half the size of a credit card from top to bottom. An inch, if you like. How First World-problematic can you get? But that 2.5cm matters. Seat pitch, which determines the amount of legroom per seat, is the standard measure of comfort in economy class seating, but the width of the seat is just as important. When you're reading a book or eating in a narrow seat you need to squish in your elbows and give yourself T-Rex hands, especially in the middle seat. A narrow seat also gives you less shoulder room, and a shoulder that sticks out into the aisle gets plenty of attention from passing passengers, as well as the meal trolley. It wasn't supposed to be this way Boeing conceived the 787 with eight seats across in its economy cabin, with a seat width of 18.5 inches (47cm), but airlines had other ideas. By squeezing in another seat per row, they could add at least 15 seats per aircraft, and for airlines, that's money in the bank. That meant tighter seating for passengers, but cash trumps comfort when it comes to economy class air travel. One of the very few airlines that flies the Boeing 787-9 and most of its 787-8s with eight economy seats per row in a 2-4-2 configuration is Japan Airlines. Those seats are a comfy 47.8cm wide, and seat pitch is an equally commendable 83.8cm. However, note that one of the three versions of JAL's Boeing 787–8 aircraft has a 3-3-3 configuration, which shrinks the seat width to just 43.2cm. The same thing happened to the 787's wide-body predecessor, the 777. Boeing designed the 777 with nine economy seats per row in mind, with a 3-3-3 configuration, and that was what airlines got when the aircraft entered service in the mid-1990s. After just a few years, the US carriers levered another seat into the mid-section and the trend caught on, especially with the introduction of the 777-300ER. Today it's almost impossible to find any airline operating a Boeing 777 with nine seats across.
The Age
22-06-2025
- The Age
New planes were meant to be more comfortable. Here's why it didn't happen
Quick quiz for airline enthusiasts: flying economy class aboard Singapore Airlines, would you rather sit in one of the airline's Boeing 777 aircraft or a Boeing 787? The 787 Dreamliner is newer, its cabin is pressurised to a lower altitude, which means more oxygen in your lungs, the seat back comes with a slightly larger in-flight entertainment screen and both aircraft have the same 3-3-3 seating configuration, but there's one crucial factor that makes the 777 the aircraft I'd prefer to fly on. On Singapore Airlines' 777s, the seat width is 18 inches (45.7cm);* aboard the 787, the tape measure says 17 inches (43.2cm). That's just 2.5 centimetres, less than half the size of a credit card from top to bottom. An inch, if you like. How First World-problematic can you get? But that 2.5cm matters. Seat pitch, which determines the amount of legroom per seat, is the standard measure of comfort in economy class seating, but the width of the seat is just as important. When you're reading a book or eating in a narrow seat you need to squish in your elbows and give yourself T-Rex hands, especially in the middle seat. A narrow seat also gives you less shoulder room, and a shoulder that sticks out into the aisle gets plenty of attention from passing passengers, as well as the meal trolley. It wasn't supposed to be this way Boeing conceived the 787 with eight seats across in its economy cabin, with a seat width of 18.5 inches (47cm), but airlines had other ideas. By squeezing in another seat per row, they could add at least 15 seats per aircraft, and for airlines, that's money in the bank. That meant tighter seating for passengers, but cash trumps comfort when it comes to economy class air travel. One of the very few airlines that flies the Boeing 787-9 and most of its 787-8s with eight economy seats per row in a 2-4-2 configuration is Japan Airlines. Those seats are a comfy 47.8cm wide, and seat pitch is an equally commendable 83.8cm. However, note that one of the three versions of JAL's Boeing 787–8 aircraft has a 3-3-3 configuration, which shrinks the seat width to just 43.2cm. The same thing happened to the 787's wide-body predecessor, the 777. Boeing designed the 777 with nine economy seats per row in mind, with a 3-3-3 configuration, and that was what airlines got when the aircraft entered service in the mid-1990s. After just a few years, the US carriers levered another seat into the mid-section and the trend caught on, especially with the introduction of the 777-300ER. Today it's almost impossible to find any airline operating a Boeing 777 with nine seats across.
The Age
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Age
Will 20-hour flights be bad for you? What to know about ultra-long hauls
The production and implementation cost of a premium economy seat is 1.6 times higher than that of an economy class seat, yet it generates 2.3 times higher revenues than its production cost.' Qantas may also be hoping that its new route will cut competition from Middle Eastern and Asian carriers with well-used stopover hubs. How do you pass the time? Love movie marathons? You're in luck. On Qantas's new route, you could potentially watch as many as 13 feature-length films – and you won't even need to pack snacks (these will be available in self-service fridges onboard). Served meals, however, can feel few and far between when flying ultra long-haul. On Singapore Airlines' 19-hour JFK-Singapore route, there's (tray) table service for only dinner and breakfast, with light snacks in between. The good news is there's a lot more than 'chicken or beef' to eat on these flights. 'Meal services are being re-engineered,' says Bauer. 'For example, lighter, low-inflammatory meals with adjusted timings help modulate melatonin levels and align with passengers' destination time zones – a practice pioneered by Qantas and Singapore Airlines.' What's it like to sleep on board? First and business class passengers should have no problem getting some rest. Bauer says airlines are engaged in an 'arms race in premium comfort' and cites Qatar's business class QSuite, which comes with doors, mood-lighting and fully lie-flat beds, as the cream of the crop. On Qantas's new planes, specially designed first class cabins are like small, but very sleek, bedrooms, complete with dining areas for two and comfy beds with flexible backrests. Business class passengers will sleep in lie-flat beds, and premium economy passengers get footrests and 40-inch (102-centimetre) seat pitches. But, while the cheapest seats will have 33-inch (84 centimetres) pitches (more than other Qantas planes), shelves for iPads and free Wi-Fi to help the time pass more quickly, spending 19 hours in economy still doesn't look like a particularly enticing prospect. There may be another issue with shut-eye too. According to the Sleep Foundation, 'the circadian clock takes about 1-1.5 days to adapt per time zone crossed,' so it could take more than nine days to recover from an ULH flight between Sydney and London. A stopover in the Middle East means a more gentle adjustment and gives passengers the opportunity to seek out daylight and fresh air en route, both of which can help with jetlag. Are ultra long-haul flights bad for your health? Operators are keen to do whatever they can to make ULH flights as comfortable as possible. 'It's not just an amenity issue – it's a strategic imperative to justify premium pricing and mitigate health and fatigue risks,' he says. 'Some carriers are piloting AI-driven in-flight wellness apps that adjust lighting, and offer hydration reminders and stretch routines based on biometric feedback.' Qantas's new planes will even have 'Wellbeing Zones' available to all passengers, featuring stocked fridges and 'movement areas' with guided exercises. Lights have been designed to 'optimise the circadian effects of different times' across all the cabins. With so much being done to mitigate the ill effects of ULH travel, it may be tempting to skip the ankle and neck rolls and regular jaunts through the cabin that physiotherapists so often advise. Don't. Flights lasting longer than 10 hours pose the greatest risk of DVT according to the American Society of Hematology. Meanwhile, easy exercises such as the ones recommended by physiotherapist Helen Davison in this article should help keep aches and pains at bay. What can passengers do pre- and post-flight to mitigate any ill effects? Embrace drink – just not the alcoholic or caffeinated kind. Experts suggest people can lose up to two litres of water on long-haul flights. Liquids can help keep headaches and joint swelling at bay and electrolyte sachets could help too. Meanwhile, the UK Civil Aviation Authority advises moving bed and waking times in the weeks before flying, in order to more easily adjust to a new time zone. Passengers can also use an online jet lag calculator to find out the best times to seek out sunlight on arrival. Loading There's no better excuse for a spa treatment either. At the Sofitel London Heathrow, guests can book an hour-long Jet Lag Recovery massage that starts with work on the legs and feet (and may help with puffy, achy ankles), before moving on to a tension-relieving back and shoulder massage and rehydrating facial. Will we see more ULH routes? Definitely. According to Bauer, 'Singapore Airlines and Qantas are exploring new non-stop services to secondary North American cities such as Boston, Chicago and Miami,' while 'Air India, under its Tata-led transformation, is evaluating a direct Delhi–Los Angeles route'.
Sydney Morning Herald
03-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Will 20-hour flights be bad for you? What to know about ultra-long hauls
The production and implementation cost of a premium economy seat is 1.6 times higher than that of an economy class seat, yet it generates 2.3 times higher revenues than its production cost.' Qantas may also be hoping that its new route will cut competition from Middle Eastern and Asian carriers with well-used stopover hubs. How do you pass the time? Love movie marathons? You're in luck. On Qantas's new route, you could potentially watch as many as 13 feature-length films – and you won't even need to pack snacks (these will be available in self-service fridges onboard). Served meals, however, can feel few and far between when flying ultra long-haul. On Singapore Airlines' 19-hour JFK-Singapore route, there's (tray) table service for only dinner and breakfast, with light snacks in between. The good news is there's a lot more than 'chicken or beef' to eat on these flights. 'Meal services are being re-engineered,' says Bauer. 'For example, lighter, low-inflammatory meals with adjusted timings help modulate melatonin levels and align with passengers' destination time zones – a practice pioneered by Qantas and Singapore Airlines.' What's it like to sleep on board? First and business class passengers should have no problem getting some rest. Bauer says airlines are engaged in an 'arms race in premium comfort' and cites Qatar's business class QSuite, which comes with doors, mood-lighting and fully lie-flat beds, as the cream of the crop. On Qantas's new planes, specially designed first class cabins are like small, but very sleek, bedrooms, complete with dining areas for two and comfy beds with flexible backrests. Business class passengers will sleep in lie-flat beds, and premium economy passengers get footrests and 40-inch (102-centimetre) seat pitches. But, while the cheapest seats will have 33-inch (84 centimetres) pitches (more than other Qantas planes), shelves for iPads and free Wi-Fi to help the time pass more quickly, spending 19 hours in economy still doesn't look like a particularly enticing prospect. There may be another issue with shut-eye too. According to the Sleep Foundation, 'the circadian clock takes about 1-1.5 days to adapt per time zone crossed,' so it could take more than nine days to recover from an ULH flight between Sydney and London. A stopover in the Middle East means a more gentle adjustment and gives passengers the opportunity to seek out daylight and fresh air en route, both of which can help with jetlag. Are ultra long-haul flights bad for your health? Operators are keen to do whatever they can to make ULH flights as comfortable as possible. 'It's not just an amenity issue – it's a strategic imperative to justify premium pricing and mitigate health and fatigue risks,' he says. 'Some carriers are piloting AI-driven in-flight wellness apps that adjust lighting, and offer hydration reminders and stretch routines based on biometric feedback.' Qantas's new planes will even have 'Wellbeing Zones' available to all passengers, featuring stocked fridges and 'movement areas' with guided exercises. Lights have been designed to 'optimise the circadian effects of different times' across all the cabins. With so much being done to mitigate the ill effects of ULH travel, it may be tempting to skip the ankle and neck rolls and regular jaunts through the cabin that physiotherapists so often advise. Don't. Flights lasting longer than 10 hours pose the greatest risk of DVT according to the American Society of Hematology. Meanwhile, easy exercises such as the ones recommended by physiotherapist Helen Davison in this article should help keep aches and pains at bay. What can passengers do pre- and post-flight to mitigate any ill effects? Embrace drink – just not the alcoholic or caffeinated kind. Experts suggest people can lose up to two litres of water on long-haul flights. Liquids can help keep headaches and joint swelling at bay and electrolyte sachets could help too. Meanwhile, the UK Civil Aviation Authority advises moving bed and waking times in the weeks before flying, in order to more easily adjust to a new time zone. Passengers can also use an online jet lag calculator to find out the best times to seek out sunlight on arrival. Loading There's no better excuse for a spa treatment either. At the Sofitel London Heathrow, guests can book an hour-long Jet Lag Recovery massage that starts with work on the legs and feet (and may help with puffy, achy ankles), before moving on to a tension-relieving back and shoulder massage and rehydrating facial. Will we see more ULH routes? Definitely. According to Bauer, 'Singapore Airlines and Qantas are exploring new non-stop services to secondary North American cities such as Boston, Chicago and Miami,' while 'Air India, under its Tata-led transformation, is evaluating a direct Delhi–Los Angeles route'.
