Airbus Updates No.3319

 Singapore Airlines Takes 3 Airbus A350s In One Day

We’ve seen a few simultaneous aircraft deliveries to airlines over the past year. Qatar Airways took delivery of three 777Fs at the start of this year while Ethiopian Airlines took two A350s in November. Singapore Airlines is the latest carrier to accept multiple aircraft at once with the delivery of three A350-900s on April 2nd. Departing Toulouse in the afternoon/evening and flying overnight, the three A350s landed in Singapore between 08:00 and 12:00 on April 3rd.

All three aircraft were Airbus A350-900s. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Flights details for the three A350s

The flights were picked up on RadarBox.com and posted to the flight tracker’s Twitter account:

As you can see above, the three flights were assigned flight numbers SQ8895, SQ8896, and SQ8897. Let’s look at each flight and the A350 aircraft involved in the delivery:

SQ8895: This flight saw the aircraft registered 9V-SHT (MSN 464) depart Toulouse on April 2nd at 13:29 local time. The aircraft flew for 12 hours and 56 minutes, arriving at Singapore Changi at 08:25 local. Data from AIB Family Flights notes that this jet had four test flights before its delivery flight.

SQ8896: This flight saw the aircraft registered 9V-SHU (MSN 469) depart Toulouse on April 2nd at 15:32 local time. The aircraft flew for 12 hours and 47 minutes, arriving at Singapore Changi at 10:20 local. This jet only had two test flights before its delivery flight.

SQ8897: This flight saw the aircraft registered 9V-SHV (MSN 475) depart Toulouse on April 2nd at 17:16 local time. The aircraft flew for 12 hours and 47 minutes, arriving at Singapore Changi at 12:03 local. This jet had three test flights before its delivery flight.

With more A350s still undelivered to Singapore Airlines, we know that the next A350 coming down the line from Airbus is likely the A350 registered as 9V-SJB (MSN 472). This jet was spotted without its engines at Airbus facilities in Toulouse on February 25th, 2021.

The Airbus A350 in Singapore Airlines’ fleet

The A350-900 has quickly become a core type within Singapore Airlines’ diverse fleet. The airline first ordered the type in 2006 and placed three orders for A350 jets after it. In fact, 2013 saw the airline’s total firm orders for the jet increase to 70- which was later adjusted to 67. This includes seven Ultra Long Range models, officially designated the A350-900ULR.

Data from Planespotters.net indicates that the carrier currently has 55 Airbus A350s in its fleet. These have an average age of 2.6 years old.

Singapore Airlines has settled on three configurations for its A350. They are as follows:

• 67 business class seats, 94 premium economy. This configuration goes exclusively to its A350-900ULRs.
• 40 business class seats, 263 economy class seats
• 42 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, 187 economy seats

Singapore Airlines is the only airline (so far) to order the A350-900ULR. Photo: Singapore Airlines

Other aircraft in Singapore Airlines’ diverse fleet include the Airbus A330 and A380 (all 19 remain parked and inactive), as well as the Boeing 737 (inherited from the SilkAir brand closure), 777, and 787. The carrier’s cargo division also operates the Boeing 747-400F.