[Greg McDonald]

From News.com.au:

SINGAPORE Airlines has launched its new all-Business Class service to New York, offering passengers the latest in technology and luxury.
The newly reconfigured Airbus A340-500, which is expected to arrive in New York at later today, is fitted with 100 of the Airline's new award-winning Business Class seats and iPod and iPhone connectivity.

With this new configuration, Singapore Airlines is the first to operate an all-Business Class service on the transpacific.

Each leather-upholstered Business Class seat measures 76cm in width, providing customers with more personal space and privacy.

The seats are arranged in a 4-abreast, 1-2-1, layout, with every seat having direct access to the aisle.

When it is time to sleep, the new Business Class seat converts into a fully-flat bed.

Passengers can also enjoy their personal audio and video content from their iPod or iPhone on Singapore Airlines' KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system.

Each seat features a 15.4-inch widescreen LCD screen which is perfect for watching television shows and movies, as well as active noise-cancellation headphones.

Singapore Airlines' Executive Vice-President Huang Cheng Eng, said the all-Business Class service has been launched in response to demand from corporate travellers.

"Our direct flights to the US have always been well-received. With this newly

reconfigured aircraft, we will be increasing our Business Class capacity, and

offering our customers travelling to the US, the opportunity to experience our

award-winning new Business Class seat," said Mr Eng.

The conversion of all five of the Airline's A340-500s to an all-Business Class

seating is being carried out in phases.

The all-Business Class A340-500 currently operates three times a week, with daily services to New York by end June.

By late September 2008, Singapore Airlines will also fly the all-Business Class service to Los Angeles daily.