End of the nonstops to LAX & EWR on the A345

[jbflyer]

Official News Release from SQ
http://www.singaporeair.com/jsp/cms/...s/ne121218.jsp

[Kyo]

Thanks bent, will get booking...

[bent]

Hot off the press:
SIN-LAXvv stopped eff 20th October 2013
Sin-EWRvv stopped eff 23rd Nov 2013

Source: http://airlineroute.net/2012/12/18/sq-ewrlax-oct13cxld/

[vincent0720]

Million dollar question, Vincent0720. Immediately after SQ stops those flights, their profitability is expected to increase.

Here's my speculation: if loads continue to weaken, it'll be status quo; SQ will pack the current 380s going to JFK and LAX to try to push loads up. If loads however improve, then mount an additional 773 via another transit point to LAX and EWR. Those will be conservative decisions that SQ tends to make.

So until the economy improves, and oil prices drop (I can't think of a current scenario for both of these to occur at the same time), the days of non-stop SIN-USA are over until somebody builds a super efficient plane for SQ.

[CarbonMan]

Any rumor what SQ will do, after pulling A345 out next year

Million dollar question, Vincent0720. Immediately after SQ stops those flights, their profitability is expected to increase.

Here's my speculation: if loads continue to weaken, it'll be status quo; SQ will pack the current 380s going to JFK and LAX to try to push loads up. If loads however improve, then mount an additional 773 via another transit point to LAX and EWR. Those will be conservative decisions that SQ tends to make.

So until the economy improves, and oil prices drop (I can't think of a current scenario for both of these to occur at the same time), the days of non-stop SIN-USA are over until somebody builds a super efficient plane for SQ.

[vincent0720]

Any rumor what SQ will do, after pulling A345 out next year

[Audio]

Norminal fare for EY was SGD$2.5K. The time it went full cabin Business Class, the going fare was SGD$12K.

(Audio)

[viraj735]

I was the sole UM on the inaugural flight to EWR.

[coffeeblack]

I remember taking that flight many years ago in PY. Super bummed to see it go.

[SilverChris]

I hated these flights

No time for oxygen sticks?

[kapitan]

I hated these flights

[CarbonMan]

The A345s were ordered in 1999. That year oil price was ............. <$25 The year it entered service, 2004, oil was still below $50...

If my memory serves me correctly, at launch a PY seat was about S$2K and J was S$5-6K (any institutional memories out there?).

1999 was the most horrendous year for oil producers, since the late 60's. As I recall, crude oil was around $15 depending on which crude oil one looked at. Only the middle-eastern countries were still in the black.

Looking at the current market, it is hard to even speculate that oil will go below US$80 any time soon; perhaps only an all-out global recession would push it all the way down. However, being a firm believer that history tends to repeat itself, I would never say that $20-dollar oil will never occur again.

[9V-JKL]

Unless the price of oil drops significantly I don't think they are that interested in operating the ULH's. I am not sure what the price of oil was when they originally ordered the A345's to do the nonstops, but I bet it was significantly less than what it is now.

The A345s were ordered in 1999. That year oil price was ............. <$25 The year it entered service, 2004, oil was still below $50...

[whanafi]

This also means the end to convenient connections to Montreal. There are Air Canada flights to EWR and LaGuardia, but nothing to JFK.

I have two children studying in Canada - the one in Vancouver has to fly Cathay, and the one in Montreal was taking the EWR flight.

I can accept stopping in Europe, but not leaving from the zoo that is JFK.

[MAN Flyer]

IF SQ intends to maintain nonstops to the US ...

Unless the price of oil drops significantly I don't think they are that interested in operating the ULH's. I am not sure what the price of oil was when they originally ordered the A345's to do the nonstops, but I bet it was significantly less than what it is now. I accept that a 777 that could do it (whether LR or whatever) more economically than the four holers, but I am not sure it is enough for them to bother with oil as it is.