Singapore Airlines A380 returns to Auckland for daily services

Emirates' reign as the only airline flying the world's largest passenger plane in and out of New Zealand every day comes to an end this week as Singapore Airlines reintroduces the Airbus A380 on its Auckland services. On Wednesday, one of the airline's flagship planes took off from Changi Airport en route for Aotearoa with an extravagant area onboard said to be more like a 'hotel room in the sky' than an aircraft cabin. Many people who have flown in an A380 are impressed with the plane's spaciousness, and that space allows for some outrageous and attention-grabbing features in the most expensive sections. While Emirates has its bar and a shower room, Singapore Airlines has its first class suites. "Our suites are an experience beyond the conventional first class cabin. With just six onboard the aircraft, they feature a leather seat that can swivel between 135 and 270 degrees and a separate fully flat bed, as well as a sliding door that closes the outside world away," said George Robertson, the airline's general manager NZ. "If you're travelling with your partner you can also create a double suite complete with a comfortable bed. It's truly an experience unlike any other."<br/>The 471-seat superjumbo departed Changi Airport as Flight SQ285 at 10:25pm on Wednesday (local time) before arriving at Auckland Airport on Thursday afternoon at 1:20pm. The return flight, SQ286, is set to depart at 3:15pm and arrive back at Singapore at 8:55pm. The arrival on Thursday is the first time that two airlines have brought Airbus A380s into New Zealand on the same day since the COVID-19 pandemic decimated the aviation industry. On the Singapore Airlines plane, the six first class suites are located at the front of the upper deck with 78 business class seats behind them.<br/>