In the latest schedule update Singapore Airlines has replaced a Boeing 777-200ER operating daily non-stop flights from Singapore to Christchurch, New Zealand with an Airbus A350 starting from 7th January 2019.
The service will supplement the daily Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER flights operating non-stop to and from Auckland in the northern winter season, plus a Boeing 777-200 operating to and from Wellington via Melbourne and a seasonal non-stop 777-200ER flight also to Christchurch on selected days.
Business Class
The welcome news here is no doubt the advent of the 2013 J business class seat on this route, replacing the ageing 2006 J product fitted on the 777-200ER. We wrote a full review of the newer product from a trip on the A350 about 3 months ago and you can read it here.
The Schedule
The A350 will start operating on this route from 7th January 2019, first returning from Christchurch to Singapore the following day.
Until 6th January 2019
(CHC-SIN until 7th January 2019)
| Flight | From / To | Aircraft | Days |
| SQ297 | SIN1950 – CHC1040* | 772 | Daily |
| SQ295 | SIN2200 – CHC1250* | 772 | 1·3··6· |
| SQ298 | CHC1200 – SIN1740 | 772 | Daily |
| SQ296 | CHC1420 – SIN2000 | 772 | ·2·4··7 |
* Next day
From 7th January 2019
(CHC-SIN from 8th January 2019)
| Flight | From / To | Aircraft | Days |
| SQ297 | SIN1950 – CHC1040* | 359 | Daily |
| SQ295 | SIN2200 – CHC1250* | 772 | 1·3··6· |
| SQ298 | CHC1200 – SIN1740 | 359 | Daily |
| SQ296 | CHC1420 – SIN2000 | 772 | ·2·4··7 |
* Next day
Note that the three-times weekly SQ295/296 is a seasonal service operating in addition to the daily flight only between 28th November 2018 and 9th February 2019 (ex-SIN), which continues to utilise Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.
Premium Economy Class
This cabin will be a new addition for SIA’s Christchurch flights once the A350 starts on the route, as premium economy does not feature on the 777-200ER.
Since the Christchurch flights meet a large connection bank of services to and from Europe at Changi that means you can now book or redeem in the premium economy cabin all the way through on these flights where previously you had to either take economy on the New Zealand sector or trek to or from Auckland to get a seat in this cabin.
KrisFlyer Redemptions
Rates to fly to and from Christchurch on Singapore Airlines of course remain unchanged once the A350 is introduced, with the exception of the premium economy rate which is now applicable on this route as shown below.
| KrisFlyer Redemption Singapore – Christchurch | ||
| Saver | Advantage | |
| Economy | 28,000 | 55,000 |
| Premium Economy | 45,000 | n/a |
| Business | 58,000 | 90,000 |
The business class configuration on the A350 not only offers the much newer 2013 J seat but features 42 seats compared with 26 on the 777-200ER, a capacity increase in that cabin of over 60%. We took a look at business class redemptions in the month following the new aircraft operating on the route and found a good amount of availability in both directions.
SIA Singapore – Christchurch – Singapore Business Class Award Availability
| Date | SQ297 SIN-CHC |
SQ298 CHC-SIN |
| 7 Jan | 4 | NA |
| 8 Jan | 4 | 4 |
| 9 Jan | NA | 1 |
| 10 Jan | NA | 4 |
| 11 Jan | NA | NA |
| 12 Jan | NA | NA |
| 13 Jan | 4 | 4 |
| 14 Jan | 4 | WL |
| 15 Jan | 4 | 4 |
| 16 Jan | 4 | 4 |
| 17 Jan | 4 | 4 |
| 18 Jan | NA | NA |
| 19 Jan | NA | NA |
| 20 Jan | 4 | 4 |
| 21 Jan | 2 | 3 |
| 22 Jan | 4 | 4 |
| 23 Jan | 4 | 4 |
| 24 Jan | 4 | 4 |
| 25 Jan | NA | NA |
| 26 Jan | NA | NA |
| 27 Jan | 4 | 2 |
| 28 Jan | 4 | 4 |
| 29 Jan | 4 | 4 |
| 30 Jan | 4 | 4 |
| 31 Jan | 1 | 4 |
| 1 Feb | NA | NA |
| 2 Feb | NA | NA |
| 3 Feb | 2 | 4 |
| 4 Feb | 4 | 4 |
| 5 Feb | 4 | 4 |
| 6 Feb | 4 | 4 |
WL: Waitlist, NA: Not Available. Availability correct at 14th May 2018, and is subject to change.
Summary
More 777-200ER aircraft are set to leave the fleet, indeed their daily utilisation rate appears to be declining lately and so we expect many more announcements of routes switching to newer types.
For regulars on the Christchurch route or those looking to holiday in New Zealand next year this upgrade to the A350 will come as welcome news.
(Cover Photo: P.Stalder)