Double Beds in the Sky: A-380 Makes First Flight
The world's biggest plane is ready for takeoff, as Singapore Airlines today completed the first commercial flight of an A380 superjumbo. The gigantic aircraft, whose configuration includes luxury suites equipped with comfy double beds, is initially being used on flights between Singapore and Sydney. Service to Los Angeles is scheduled to begin next year.
Of all the glitzy new features of the superjumbo, it is the relatively low-tech double bed that seems to have generated the most excitement. The double beds are available in two of the twelve luxury suites available on each plane and cost about $7,160 per person each way.
The sight of the petal-strewn mattress furnished with duvets and cushions by French fashion house Givenchy impressed Enders so much, he told The Associated Press, that he’d like to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary on one — with his wife Friederike.
Singapore Airlines fitted its jet with 471 seats configured in three classes: 399 economy class seats on both decks, 60 business class seats on the upper deck and 12 luxury suites on the main deck.
A standard round trip fare for a suite, created by French luxury yacht designer Jean-Jacques Coste, will cost around 10,500 Singapore dollars ($7,160USD) on the inaugural Singapore-Sydney route, Chew told the AP. That’s about 20-35 percent more than the current top-class fare.
Each suite comes with sliding doors and self-adjustable roller blinds for privacy — with only a small fabric screen at the bottom to allow cabin crew to check on passengers.
Each plane has two double beds, though Chew said he doesn’t want the suites to give anyone racy ideas.
“I would not encourage it for use for anything other than resting and sleeping,” he told the AP.
For the business traveler the suite can be transformed into an office, and entertainment is provided on a 23-inch television screen.
Celebrity chefs including Gordon Ramsay and Georges Blanc have advised on the menu, served on fine bone chinaware also designed by Givenchy.
The innovations aren’t reserved just for premium customers. All classes offer an in-flight entertainment system that offers language courses and office software, besides regular movies and television channels. There is more leg room too, even in economy.
Showers won’t be available on Singapore Airlines flights, though Airbus’ top salesman, John Leahy, said some other customers are having their planes equipped with them.