Singapore Airlines

Airline Profile

Those heading to the Far East for business or pleasure could do worse than seeking out Singapore Airlines, which flies to 61 destinations in 35 countries from its hub at Singapore Changi Airport. Formed in 1937 with its first flight actually departing ten years later, one of the airlines few delays, by all accounts Singapore has remained ahead of the trends ever since: in 2007, it was the first to adopt the Airbus A380 superjumbo.

As well as claiming the title of Worlds Most Awarded Airline, the company can boast the longest non-stop commercial flight in the world: the 18-haul from Singapore to New York Newark, time enough to consume at least nine Martin Lawrence movies on Singapores Krisworld entertainment system. (Or, for the cosmopolitan traveller, to brush up on the 22 languages offered for in-flight study.)

Singapore remains one of the few airlines to merit a full five-star rating from the independent watchdog Skytrax. Raised expectations have given some cause to wonder whether the standard of service has dipped in recent times: certainly, the airline hasnt been immune to the cutbacks that have befallen the industry of late, and flights are generally pricier than equally glamorous rival Emirates. Yet with the exception of some feminists who remain less than happy by the renaming of the companys stewardesses as Singapore Girls, with that terms air of kow-towing subservience most passengers appear generally happy with the companys standard of customer care. Singled out in an eyebrow-raising level of online feedback is the perpetual (some say miraculous) cleanliness of the Singapore fleets toilets: which, when youre up in the air for getting on for a day, may be exactly what you need to hear.