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March 25, 2008

SIA explains why the all-Business Class decision was made

I REFER to Saturday's online letter by Ms Tan E-Lyn, 'No economy seats on non-stop flights to the US? S'pore losing out'. The decision to offer an all-Business Class service on our non-stop flights to Los Angeles and New York was made after much consideration. The decision recognises that demand for the services is heaviest among Business Class customers and, on many days, the waiting list for seats is very heavy.

The lower seat numbers on the A340-500 mean the fares need to include a premium to cover the high operating cost of this aircraft. Such a premium comes through offering an all-Business Class cabin. We will refit the A340-500 aircraft with our new Business Class seat, which has been extremely well received, and is consistently winning awards the world over. It is a product designed for the long-haul travel market.

Customers choosing to fly Economy Class between Singapore and New York or Los Angeles can still book on any of our existing one-stop flights, daily to both destinations, which are, and will remain, competitively priced. In addition, there are services to San Francisco and Houston which operate on a one-stop basis as well, giving our customers more choices.

Stephen Forshaw

Vice-President Public Affairs

Singapore Airlines