Thompson Aero Seating Selected for SilkAir's New Business Class Seats on 737 MAX 8

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Back in May 2018, SilkAir announced that it will receive cabin product upgrades before being merged into Singapore Airlines eventually. Today, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, has announced that Thompson Aero Seating has been selected for the upgrade of Business Class seats on its Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet.

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The upgrades is scheduled to commence in May 2020 and it will feature new lie-flat Business Class seats in a forward-facing staggered layout (in line with what Singapore Airlines offer on its regional Business Class on its A350-900 medium-haul as well as 787-10 fleets). SilkAir currently has five 737 MAX 8s and there are another 32 on order. This upgrade programme will also see the installation of new seat-back in-flight entertainment systems in both Business Class as well as Economy Class.

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Singapore Airlines is offering up to 50% off Required Miles for Redemption Flights in March - KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes
Singapore Airlines is offering up to 50% off Required Miles for Redemption Flights in March - KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes

Singapore Airlines is celebrating the official launch of KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes for travels in March 2019 with a shocking 50% redemption discount off Economy Saver award rates and Business Class redemption at Economy Saver rates on selected routes. This offer is valid for redemption flights to selected destinations across the Singapore Airlines and SilkAir network, for travel from 1 to 31 March 2019 inclusive. Online redemption has to be done before the end of 28 February 2019. For non-stop flights between Singapore and Los Angeles between 01 March 2019 and 30 April 2019, Premium Economy Class seats can be redeemed at Economy Class Saver rates.

Design of Qantas' New First Class Lounge in Singapore Changi Airport is Unveiled
Design of Qantas' New First Class Lounge in Singapore Changi Airport is Unveiled

Last year, Qantas announced that it will be opening a second lounge in Singapore Changi Airport for First Class passengers - the brand new lounge (set to open at the end of 2019) will feature a luxurious setting for 240 customers and it will come complete with shower facilities, a la carte dining options with an open kitchen, a cocktail bar as well as plenty of device charging stations. Today, Qantas has finally unveiled the visual concept of the upcoming First Class Lounge and it has been designed by David Caon in collaboration with Akin Atelier.

Japan Airlines to Enable Customers to Book Flights 360 Days Ahead (from 330 Days)
Japan Airlines to Enable Customers to Book Flights 360 Days Ahead (from 330 Days)

Japan Airlines (JAL) has just announced that they will be changing the reservation start date for international flights from 330 days to 360 days prior to departure).

Thompson Aero Seating Selected for SilkAir's New Business Class Seats on 737 MAX 8
Thompson Aero Seating Selected for SilkAir's New Business Class Seats on 737 MAX 8

Back in May 2018, SilkAir announced that it will receive cabin product upgrades before being merged into Singapore Airlines eventually. Today, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, has announced that Thompson Aero Seating has been selected for the upgrade of Business Class seats on its Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet.

Lounge Review: Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge (Noi Bai International Airport)
Lounge Review: Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge (Noi Bai International Airport)

When I flew out of Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) on Singapore Airlines in Business Class, I had access to Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge (sometimes referred to as NASCO Lounge) before departure. Even though Vietnam Airlines is not part of Star Alliance (it is actually part of the SkyTeam Alliance), most of the star alliance partner airlines use this lounge for their premium cabin passengers. Located in the International Departures Terminal above Gate 28, the Vietnam Airlines Lotus Lounge is open from 6:00AM to 2:00AM daily.

Trip Report - Vietnam Airlines Business Class A321 VN662 - SIN to HAN (Singapore to Hanoi)
Trip Report - Vietnam Airlines Business Class A321 VN662 - SIN to HAN (Singapore to Hanoi)

To get from Singapore to Hanoi earlier this month, I decided to travel on Vietnam Airlines’ Business Class product for a number of reasons - it departs from Terminal 4 of Singapore Changi Airport (where the Blossom – SATS & Plaza Premium Lounge is) and more importantly, I have not actually flown on Vietnam Airlines before. Additionally, I wanted to make full use of a stopover on a Singapore Airlines redemption (before the new redemption rates kicked in) so I needed to position myself in Zone 3 first. Check out my review of Vietnam Airlines’ Business Class product.

Comparing DragonPass to Priority Pass in Singapore Changi Airport - Interesting Restaurants as Alternative to Airport Lounges
Comparing DragonPass to Priority Pass in Singapore Changi Airport - Interesting Restaurants as Alternative to Airport Lounges

I have always relied on my OCBC VOYAGE Card to get unlimited access to Plaza Premium Lounges in Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). However, when I paid S$1,712 for The Platinum Card from American Express late last year, I received a Priority Pass card which offers unlimited access (+1 guest) to all Priority Pass lounges (which includes Plaza Premium Lounges). While searching for some information online today, I realised that DragonPass (which is an alternative lounge network that some banks in Singapore partner) offers a number of interesting restaurants in addition to the usual airport lounges.

Lounge Review: Blossom – SATS & Plaza Premium Lounge (Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4)
Lounge Review: Blossom – SATS & Plaza Premium Lounge (Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 4)

Terminal 4 of Singapore Changi Airport officially opened back in August last year and even though it has already been almost half a year, I have not had the opportunity to check it out until a couple of weeks ago when I was traveling on Vietnam Airlines. There are only two airport lounges here in Terminal 4 and one is the flagship Cathay Pacific Lounge (which I will have to visit at some point) and the other is the Blossom – SATS & Plaza Premium Lounge (commonly known as Blossom Lounge which is incorrect).

Direct Singapore-Laos Flights on Scoot from S$88 One-way - Book by 22 January 2019
Direct Singapore-Laos Flights on Scoot from S$88 One-way - Book by 22 January 2019

In celebration of Scoot's direct Singapore-Lao flights, you can now enjoy flights from Singapore to Luang Prabang and Vientiane from just S$88 one-way (all-in fare) when you book before the end of 22 January 2019. The three-times-weekly flights operated with Scoot’s A320 aircraft are slated to commence on 1 April 2019.

KrisFlyer to Introduce More Changes - Greater Upgrade Options, Early Waitlist Confirmation, Discounted Last Minute Redemption and Award Calendar
KrisFlyer to Introduce More Changes - Greater Upgrade Options, Early Waitlist Confirmation, Discounted Last Minute Redemption and Award Calendar

Following the slight devaluation announcement this morning, KrisFlyer will be rolling out new changes in the days ahead. Unlike what has happened earlier today, all the changes in this article are largely positive and it will make the whole award redemption process a little less daunting (at least for beginners). Starting with the revisions to Singapore Airlines and SilkAir Award and Upgrade Charts, these changes will begin rolling out from 24 January 2019.