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Singapore Airlines is Starting Flights to Riyadh

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Singapore Airlines is starting flights to Riyadh. Either you A) didn’t expect to hear this, or B) expected to hear this because of incentives. Regardless, Singapore Airlines is going to be the first Southeast Asian Star Alliance carrier flying to the Saudi capital.

Al Faisaliah Tower, Riyadh
Al Faisaliah Tower, Riyadh (yes, they have an observation deck, too)

Slated to begin on June 2nd, Singapore Airlines will be going to Riyadh four days per week — that’s Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The bird they will be employing to make the roughly eight hour 30 minute westbound flight is the Airbus A350-900. In total, these jets will have 303 seats; that’s 40 in business class, and 263 in economy class.

The last time the navy blue and metallic gold cheatlines of Singapore Airlines have seen regular service to Riyadh was between 2008 and 2014.

However, Singapore Airlines already has a presence in the kingdom. Scoot, its low-cost subsidiary, has been flying for years to Jeddah, the Red Sea port and primary gateway to Makkah.

Although I don’t remember hearing this route being hinted at in Riyadh last November, I’m betting that there will be a flurry of benefits for airlines open to growing their Saudi presence.

Singapore Airlines Trialing Paper Utensils

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One of these days, I’m hoping to read that airlines will start introducing “Turkish food” as an option, but until then, I have some news about how your next in-flight meal might be presented.

Per CNA (formerly Channel NewsAsia), since last month Singapore Airlines has been trialing paper wares on select flights in Economy Class and Premium Economy Class. The non-profit group Forest Stewardship Council has backed this Singapore Airlines initiative; in short, that means no net loss of forests, and that the goods are 100% recycled and recyclable.

The first route to have been chosen to test using paper casserole dishes, bowls, and plates was one of Singapore Airlines’ flagship flights, Singapore SIN – Hong Kong HKG – Singapore:

Singapore Airlines SQ1 HKG-SIN, 2009
Singapore Airlines SQ1 Hong Kong HKG- Singapore SIN, 2009

Then, earlier this March, passengers seated in Economy and Premium Economy, and heading between Singapore and other cities such as Sydney SYD, London LHR, Seoul ICN, and Mumbai BOM also began to receive paper-based wares, along with bamboo cutlery.

Apparently, some travelers were none too thrilled about this shift from plastic to paper, particularly if they were seated in Premium Economy; it was as if the paper had severely cheapened the experience in a class that is just below Business, but still includes Economy in its name.

What’s the big deal? You’re flying somewhere, isn’t that good enough?

Singapore Airlines will be trialing the paper goods until at least 25 March; the plan is to gradually stop using single-use plastics for all flights, at least in terms of in-flight service.

Speaking of airline cutlery, Singapore Airlines probably doesn’t expect to see its new paper wares on eBay anytime soon, unlike those weighty metal spoons. That should save them a couple of bucks (can you imagine an airline bidding to purchase the stuff back?)

What’s your take on Singapore Airlines’ trialing of paper-based goods?

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