Thursday, 25 October 2007: The world’s largest airliner operated by Singapore Airlines has commenced commercial services this morning with its maiden voyage to Sydney, due to arrive on Australian soil within hours.
The Singapore Airlines A380 super-jumbo is expected to arrive at Sydney International Airport this afternoon to a grand welcome ceremony after completing its first flight of seven and a half hours.
Aviation buffs can catch a glimpse of the jet as it soars across Sydney Harbour between 1645 and 1715 today.
Singapore Airlines sold a majority of the seats on its maiden flight on eBay, with proceeds of up to S$1.9 million (AUD$1.4 million) going to supporting charities in Singapore and Sydney.
The majority of those travelling on the A380 are Australians; however passengers also include a 91 year old Singaporean man who is travelling with his family, Mr Julian Hayward who bought two First Suite seats for a whopping US$100,380, Mr Thomas Lee from California who was also a passenger on the world’s first Boeing 747 commercial flight in 1970.
Customers today across all classes will enjoy specially-created Champagne Brunch featuring meals from two of Singapore Airlines’ International Culinary Panel of Chefs, Sam Leong from Singapore’s Tung Lok Group and Matthew Moran from Sydney’s Aria Restaurant, who are both onboard the aircraft.
Singapore Airlines Suites passengers will be able to enjoy some of the world’s finest wines including Dom Pérignon Rosé 1961, Château Cos D’Estornel 1982, Château Pichon-Longueville, Comtesse De Lalande 1982, and Australia’s Penfolds Grange Hermitage Shiraz 1990.
The A380 departs on its return leg of the trip tomorrow from Sydney to Singapore departing at 1600hrs. Scheduled services between Singapore and Sydney on one of the three daily flights in each direction commence on Sunday 28 October 2007.
