SQ222 A380 -> B777 downgrade

[Robert S]

Anyone know what's happening with SQ222?

I've noticed my flight in June has been downgraded, as has today's and tomorrow's flight. SQ222 used to be the main flight used by Australians travelling on to Europe and used to see quite good loads. Has something changed?

[Jonathan W]

Looking at the flight schedule, SQ231 and 222 have been replaced with the 77W from the 30th May which would coincide with the airline starting A380 flights to India.

[Robert S]

Hmmm, that's quite surprising.

Now I'm home, yes it looks like in June it's gone to a 773ER, 772, 773 and A380 daily. I'm assuming the 777ER is being sent in an attempt to match the A380 product (not that it really compares, especially as SQ222 tends to be one with a Y section at the rear of the upper deck).

[Arthur T]

Airline Routes has confirmed the changes:

Singapore Airlines Reduces A380 Operations to Australia from May and Oct 2014
by JL
Update at 1810GMT 21APR14

Due to aircraft redeployment, Singapore Airlines is gradually reducing Airbus A380 operations to Australia. Planned service changes as follow.

Singapore – Sydney eff 30MAY14 A380 operation reduced from 2 to 1 daily
SQ231 SIN0045 – 1025SYD 77W D
SQ241 SIN0705 – 1645SYD 772 D
SQ211 SIN0925 – 1905SYD 773 D
SQ221 SIN2015 – 0555+1SYD 388 D

SQ212 SYD0640 – 1300SIN 773 D
SQ232 SYD1115 – 1740SIN 388 D
SQ222 SYD1515 – 2140SIN 77W D
SQ242 SYD1800 – 0020+1SIN 772 D

Singapore – Melbourne eff 26OCT14 1 daily A380 operation cancelled
SQ207 SIN0745 – 1815MEL 333 D
SQ217 SIN1045 – 2115MEL 77W D
SQ227 SIN2115 – 0745+1MEL 77W D
SQ237 SIN2350 – 1020+1MEL 773 D

SQ218 MEL0105 – 0545SIN 77W D
SQ238 MEL1130 – 1610SIN 773 D
SQ228 MEL1645 – 2125SIN 77W D
SQ208 MEL1930 – 0015+1SIN 333 D

Northern Winter 2014/15 schedule (from 25OCT14) remains subject to change.

Source: http://airlineroute.net/2014/04/21/sq-sydmel-s14/

So at the end they are taking out 2x A380 from Australia for India

But I hope SQ can compensate with deploying B77WN on SQ231 and SQ222 with their latest products for passengers to enjoy, since it is their flagship service.

Finally, I still don't understand why SQ is so hesitant to deploy A333 to Sydney and Melbourne and get rid of those B772 and B773s? Or they are waiting for the A350?

[Paul F]

Originally Posted by Arthur T

Finally, I still don't understand why SQ is so hesitant to deploy A333 to Sydney and Melbourne and get rid of those B772 and B773s? Or they are waiting for the A350?

SQ already fly the A330 to MEL, which has 4 daily flights with different types 773, 77W,A330,A380.

[Jonathan W]

Originally Posted by Arthur T

Finally, I still don't understand why SQ is so hesitant to deploy A333 to Sydney and Melbourne and get rid of those B772 and B773s? Or they are waiting for the A350?

There's probably a range of reasons as to why, from crewing (more 777 and no A330s mean there's more flexibility in crewing for flights out of Sydney) to airport costs and the 777 having a greater range.

The airline still has 8 A330s on order to replace some of the 35 772/773s they have with the A350s replacing the rest which should be delivered from either 2015 or 2016.

[Nils Kenny]

Well if you remember back in 2012-13 SQ use to Fly a A330 to Sydney on the 241-242 rotation. The problem for SQ and the A330 to Sydney and Melbourne compared to a B772 or 773 is CARGO. the B772-773 carries a lot more CARGO.
Also the reason we lose the TWO A380 is because they have to start the A380 to India and be the First or they lose the chance, and they can't really take them from somewhere else at this stage. Saying that SQ can't have a lot of Spare seats in June/July out of Sydney, wish they would give us another flight.

[Andrew M]

Disgusting that MEL loses the Suites product and will likely end up with the "old" first on the 777W

Very poor form SQ, but MEL is always the dumping ground for any aircraft by SQ