Singapore-Paris Airbus A380 flights from Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines, the national airline of Singapore, has announced plans to fly the Airbus A380 Superjumbo, the world’s largest passenger airliner, from Singapore to Paris starting June 1, 2009.

The new service – which will replace the existing 10-times-a-week service to Paris using the 278-seat Boeing 777 aircraft – is a part of Singapore Airlines‘ plan to expand further its growing global network of Airbus A380 services, a statement from the carrier said.

Configured with 471 seats, the Airbus A380 Superjumbo will meet the growing demand from both business and leisure passengers and contribute to economic development between France and the Asia-Pacific region, according to Singapore Airlines.

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Paris will be Singapore Airlines’ fourth destination using the Airbus A380 aircraft, after Sydney, London and Tokyo.

At present, Singapore Airlines has six Airbus A380 Superjumbos in service. The launch of the A380 on the Paris route will take place after the delivery of the seventh and eighth A380 planes in the first half of 2009.

Singapore Airlines, with its hub at Singapore’s Changi Airport, is the first customer, or the launch customer, of the Airbus A380 Superjumbo.

In the statement, Huang Cheng Eng, executive vice-president (marketing) of Singapore Airlines, said: “Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris is one of the busiest airports in Europe in terms of passenger traffic. The A380, with its large seating capacity, is well placed to fly there.”

“With the A380’s substantial fuel burn reductions per seat kilometre,” Huang added, “the aircraft also provides a cleaner, greener alternative for long-haul travel.”

Singapore Airlines said the service to Paris using the A380 would allow the carrier to meet the rising demand for seats from both corporate and leisure customers as well as contribute in a better way to the economic development between France and the Asia-Pacific region.

Passengers in the Airbus A380 will enjoy the same luxury that they have been used to on the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the airline said, adding that Airbus A380 also features the Singapore Airlines Suites. Each suite, which is enclosed by sliding doors for privacy, is fitted with a leather-upholstered seat, a 23-inch LCD screen for in-flight entertainment, and a full-sized flat bed that is separate from the seat.

Recently, Qantas Airways, the flag carrier of Australia, had launched the Airbus A380’s inaugural service, connecting London to Sydney. Qantas also become the first carrier to fly the Superjumbo to San Francisco.