SIA in no rush for premium economy

SINGAPORE – Singapore Airlines says it has not dismissed the idea of introducing premium economy seats but feels there is no great need to do so.

“Our economy product on the A380 and the B777 looks like premium economy to us,” said Huang Cheng Eng, SIA’s executive VP, marketing.

Huang said Singapore Airlines would continue to invest in new aircraft and the development of services.

“There will continue to be a market for premium travel,” he said.

“Any cost cutting will not be at the expense of our customer services.”

SIA’s A330 fleet, which will grow to 19 aircraft in the 2010-2011financial year, will offer iPod connectivity for all cabins – a world first, the airline claimed.

The two-class configuration of the A330s will include 30 lie flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration in business class.

“We don’t believe in the herring-bone arrangements of seats,” Huang said.

Huang also confirmed that Singapore Airlines would introduce the A380 to another European destination, which he declined to name.

Boeing VP marketing, Randy Tinseth, told a media briefing that the US plane maker was hoping for the first flight of the much-delayed 787 Dreamliner by the end of this year, with first deliveries in late 2010.

He said the delays had “disappointed our customers and disappointed ourselves”.

Airbus COO customers, John Leahy, failed to appear for a scheduled media briefing. No explanation was offered by local Airbus bugles.