AFR rumour [confirmed] - SQ to launch SIN-CBR-WLG

[vertisol]

Return? Well, that's a good deal then.


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[Fiches Mouser]

If it's return, that's phenomenal. $650 is roughly what you pay for a flexi o/w Y seat on MEL/SYD-SIN.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Return?

Yep

From the press release: "Tickets for the new Capital Express service will be on sale from Monday 25 January with Economy Class fares starting from $650 all-inclusive for CBR-SIN return and $469 all-inclusive for CBR-WLG return. Business Class fares start from $3,166 all-inclusive for CBR-SIN return and $1,450 all-inclusive for CBR-WLG return."

 

[dajop]

If it's return, that's phenomenal. $650 is roughly what you pay for a flexi o/w Y seat on MEL/SYD-SIN.

Given that the quoted WLG fare is ~$470 (which would not be at all special if it was one way) and you do occasionally get deals MEL-SIN return around the $700-750 mark, I assumed it would be on a return basis. I also assume availability may be limited, and probably a launch special ..... so may not last too long.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Given that the quoted WLG fare is $450 (which would not be at all special if it was one way) and you do occasionally get deals MEL-SIN return around the $700-750 mark, I assumed it would be on a return basis. I also assume availability may be limited, and probably a launch special ..... so may not last too long.

Yep

From the press release: "Tickets for the new Capital Express service will be on sale from Monday 25 January with Economy Class fares starting from $650 all-inclusive for CBR-SIN return and $469 all-inclusive for CBR-WLG return. Business Class fares start from $3,166 all-inclusive for CBR-SIN return and $1,450 all-inclusive for CBR-WLG return."

It's great J fare to SIN too. Novelty aside, it's starting to look like a decent way to SIN, at least initially with the low fare.

The WLG pricing isn't anything special though.

 

[DavidFlynn]

The WLG pricing isn't anything special though.

If one compares CBR-WLG to SYD-AKL for instance, quite true. But SQ says they have many people currently flying WLG-SYD-CBR or WLG-MEL-CBR, and that's the target audience here.

 

[kermatu]

Not all that thrilled with the CBR-SIN timing, but price and convenience may help. I like the WLG times though. I have need to be in Wellington at least 3 or 4 times in next 18 months or so and this will definitely get a run. While I like The Qantas trans-Tasman flights and service, I've had a couple of great SQ experiences (and a Y to J upgrade) despite no status in the last couple of months. Very happy that the first international service out of the Berra is SQ. Good incentive to build status there now.

 

[Pcoder]

I'm wondering, will Star alliance golds be able to get into the virgin lounge?

 

[TomVexille]

I'm wondering, will Star alliance golds be able to get into the virgin lounge?

I suspect that SQ will hand out a lounge invitation to eligible *A pax

 

[vertisol]

I suspect that SQ will hand out a lounge invitation to eligible *A pax

Postcode based status match for QF would be nice too...

 

[kermatu]

Postcode based status match for QF would be nice too...

I like your thinking!

 

[get me outta here]

Did they make any mention of reward seats being available to us free-loaders, er frequent flyers with points available?

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Did they make any mention of reward seats being available to us free-loaders, er frequent flyers with points available?

The big question! I'm so dreaming if I think there'll be award availability on the inaugural.

 

[kamchatsky]

Official press release from Singapore Airlines:

http://www.singaporeair.com/jsp/cms/en_UK/press_release_news/ne0316-160120.jsp

[h=2]Capital Express' Service To Connect Singapore, Canberra And Wellington[/h]

“This new service linking Singapore, Canberra and Wellington reflects the close ties between the three countries,”
​

CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong

• New service to bring international flights to Canberra
• First to link Canberra with Wellington

20 January 2016 - Singapore Airlines is to introduce services to both Canberra and Wellington with the launch of a new ‘Capital Express’ route.

The new flights from Singapore will connect the capitals of both Australia and New Zealand. Subject to regulatory approvals, flights will be operated four times per week from 20 September 2016 on a Singapore-Canberra-Wellington routing. Return flights will be on a Wellington-Canberra-Singapore routing.

Flights will be operated with 266-seat retrofitted Boeing 777-200s fitted with 38 Business Class seats and 228 Economy Class seats. Singapore Airlines will be the first airline with flights between Canberra and Wellington. It will also be the first airline to operate regularly scheduled international services to and from Canberra.

“This new service linking Singapore, Canberra and Wellington reflects the close ties between the three countries,” said Singapore Airlines CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong.

“We are excited about the prospects for our new ‘Capital Express’ route, which we are confident will appeal to leisure, government and corporate travellers. We are especially pleased to be bringing more convenient travel options to customers with Canberra’s first regularly scheduled international flights and the first non-stop links between the capitals of Australia and New Zealand.”

Flights will be available for booking on a progressive basis through the Singapore Airlines website, call centres and travel agents in the coming weeks.

The new Canberra services will add to Singapore Airlines’ already extensive Australia network, which currently includes flights between Singapore and Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Subsidiary SilkAir also serves Cairns and Darwin, while a wide-ranging partnership with Virgin Australia extends Singapore Airlines’ Australia network to another 40 codeshare destinations.

Singapore Airlines’ new Wellington services will complement existing services between Singapore and both Auckland and Christchurch. Singapore Airlines also has an extensive partnership with Air New Zealand.


Flight Schedules*

Flight Number and Routing​	Days of Operation​	Time of Departure​	Time of Arrival​
SQ291 Singapore-Canberra​	Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday​	23:00​	08:35+1​
SQ291 Canberra-Wellington​	Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday​	9:50​	15:05​
​	​	​	​
SQ292 Wellington-Canberra​	Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday​	20:15​	22:05​
SQ292 Canberra-Singapore​	Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday​	23:30​	05:50+1​

*All times stated are local based on a launch date of 20 September 2016. Timings to change soon after due to Daylight Savings in Australia and New Zealand.






[h=3]Media contacts[/h]If you are a member of the media and want to find out more about us

[h=3]Contact us by email:[/h]Public Affairs Department[email protected]

 

[DavidFlynn]

Did they make any mention of reward seats being available to us free-loaders, er frequent flyers with points available?

Wasn't mentioned, and IMHO too early to ask. Patience, young Platinum-status padawan...

 

[docjames]

I'm surprised they didn't use the A330 initially.

 

[DavidFlynn]

I'm wondering, will Star alliance golds be able to get into the virgin lounge?

That's a very good question. You'd like to think so, in keeping with SQ's Star Alliance membership, but it'll be one to look into for sure.

 

[DavidFlynn]

I'm surprised they didn't use the A330 initially.

SQ tells me the A330 was first on the list but modelling indicated stronger demand for business class, and the 777 they're using allows eight more J seats than the A330.

 

[kamchatsky]

SQ tells me the A330 was first on the list but modelling indicated stronger demand for business class, and the 777 they're using allows eight more J seats than the A330.

Can a 777 takeoff or land at WLG with full load? I would expect that there will be some weight restrictions?

 

[DavidFlynn]

Can a 777 takeoff or land at WLG with full load? I would expect that there will be some weight restrictions?

Don't know, not my area of expertise nor focus, but am sure some blogs and avgeeks will crunch the numbers and dig into the answers.