3 January 2017 © David Eyre (UPDATED 4 April 2017)
To celebrate 50 years of services to Australia, Singapore Airlines will send an Airbus A350-900 instead of a B777-200ER to Perth on Wednesday 5 April 2017.
This is intended to be a one-off special visit only, although the airline has previously stated that it intends using A350s on Perth services in the next few years.
The A350 will arrive at 12.55pm as flight SQ213 from Singapore and depart at 2.05pm as SQ226.
After take-off as SQ226, the A350 will perform a low-level flyby over the city of Perth at 1,500 feet. The best vantage points to capture photos during the flyby are from Kings Park, Elizabeth Quay, Langley Park and South Perth Foreshore.
Third A350 visit to Perth
This will be the third A350 to visit Perth.
The first A350 visit to Perth occurred on 10 August 2014, when Airbus’ fifth development aircraft F-WWYB (MSN 005) visited Perth as part of route proving trials.
The second A350 visit, and the first one on a revenue service was 9 September 2016, when a Qatar Airways A350, A7-ALD (MSN 010) made an emergency medical diversion to Perth, whilst en route from Adelaide to Doha.
History of Singapore Airlines and services to Australia
In 1965, Singapore separated from the Federation of Malaysia, so in 1966 Malaysian Airlines was renamed Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA).
Rapid expansion followed from 1967 with new routes being established.
In April 1967, MSA commenced services to Perth using the De Havilland DH-106 Comet 4C, following an initial route-proving flight on 7 March 1967 by 9V-BAS.
Boeing 707-320s were acquired and used on Perth services from 1969.
In 1972, political differences between Singapore (which wanted to develop long-haul international routes) and Malaysia (which wanted to build domestic routes first) caused Malaysia-Singapore Airlines to be split, forming Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines System (MAS).
Singapore Airlines retained all of the former MSA Boeing 707s, and these were used on Perth services.
Later, Airbus A310-300, A330-300, A340-300, Boeing 747-200s, -300s and -400s, Boeing 777-200ER and 777-300 and DC-10-30s were used on services between Singapore and Perth.
My wife and I flew MAN/SIN 6th April on SQ A350 9V-SMC, so yes a very nice aeroplane to fly in (had 13 hours in it) however having been very fortunate to have had 4 B787 flights this year (AIR NZ/AVIANCA/QATAR) the 787 we have said is just a better aircraft all round. We were right in the back row of the A350 and it was very quiet and smooth have to say in its defence.
So have now flown on A300/310/318/319/320/321/330/340/350 and 380 so pretty lucky indeed.
Article needs to be updated. There will be a flyover at 1,500 ft on the take off of the returning flight SQ226.
http://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/au/plan-travel/local-promotions/perth/a350-flyover-competition/?utm_source=Perthairport_FB&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=PER_A350_Competition
Article updated. Thanks Daniel.
Cathay Pacific will be the first airline to operate the Airbus A350’s to Perth when they replace their Boeing 777’s on their Hong Kong To Perth route from October 29
They use A330-300 aircraft on the route as of now until 28-10-17.
A330s are only used on the night/early morning services. B777-200ER continues to be used on afternoon services.
Hi David,
Will SQ use the A350 from Singapore to Perth during Easter Holidays?
This is a one-off visit. The airline has stated that it intends to use the A350 on more Australian services in future, but plans can change and no start date for Perth services has been announced.