SIA brings premium economy to Auckland

Auckland has become the latest destination to receive Singapore Airline’s (SIA) new premium economy cabin.

SIA has upgauged its daily service between Singapore and Auckland to the Airbus A380, from the Boeing 777-300ER, for the peak summer holiday season.

The aircraft change, which also occurred in the prior year, means the Star Alliance member is offering four classes to Auckland for the first time comprising First/Suites, Business, Premium Economy and Economy.

SIA flight SQ285, pictured above being operated by 9V-SKH touching down at Auckland Airport on Saturday, and the reciprocal SQ286, will be flown with the double-decker superjumbo until the end of March 2016.

The airline’s Singapore-Auckland and Singapore-Christchurch flights are operated in partnership with fellow Star Alliance member Air New Zealand, which does have a premium economy cabin on its Auckland-Singapore service.

SIA’s four-class A380s have either 441 or 379 seats, depending on configuration.

Premium economy is being rolled out to 19 cities as SIA retrofits 19 777-300ER and 19 A380 aircraft with the cabin between economy and business, with Sydney the first destination to receive the new cabin.

Further, SIA’s first 20 A350 deliveries will also feature premium economy, with the first A350-900 due to be delivered in early 2016. The first long-haul route earmarked for the aircraft is Singapore-Amsterdam.

The total cost of the premium economy fit out was US$80 million, SIA said in May.

Singapore Airlines’ new premium economy seat. (SIA)