Singapore Airlines launches the 737-8 in Cairns with new business class features
A major airline has launched an aircraft that will arrive and leave Cairns in a new level of comfort, including some business class seats that allow you to lay all the way down.
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A MAJOR airline has launched an aircraft that will arrive at and depart from Cairns boasting a new level of comfort for international passengers.
The first Boeing 737-8 aircraft touched down about 4.40pm on Monday after Singapore Airlines returned services in late March. The plane has 154 seats, with 10 in business class and 144 in economy.
The design has a special focus on ergonomics making it easy to have everything within an easy reach of customers.
Singapore Airlines regional manager of public affairs and government relations Karl Schubert said it was a new level of comfort for air travel.
“We’ve spent 230 million Singapore dollars on the design, development and the installation of these incredible seats,” Mr Schubert said.
“We are very pleased and very proud to be able to deploy this aircraft to Cairns.
“We think it's going to be a huge benefit to the Cairns community.”
The aircraft has a special business class section with two throne seats.
“The two throne seats are the two single seats that sit within business class,” he said.
“What that means when we put those seats into the lie flat position you are actually lying directly flat as opposed to lying flat on an angle so it’s adding that additional level of comfort, prestige and that premium level of enjoyment for our customers.”
The aircraft also features Panasonic’s X-Series seat-back in-flight entertainment and Wi-Fi.
With the new business class layout, Cairns Central Travel consultant Trish Ernst said it was in high demand.
“What I have discovered is that over the last two years they (people) have saved a few dollars to go in a bit of class and enjoy the extra legroom with all the bells and whistles,” she said.
“It’s lovely to see everyone is excited about travelling again.”
Mr Schubert said bookings had been tracking well so far and they had seen growth. Currently there are three flights a week.
“We still have plans at this present point in time to increase that to five times weekly from the May 31,” he said.
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Originally published as Singapore Airlines launches the 737-8 in Cairns with new business class features
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