SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines said all seats on its Airbus A380 pop-up restaurants were reserved within 30 minutes of bookings opening on Monday.
With flights largely grounded by the coronavirus pandemic, Singapore Airlines is trying novel ways to raise money, including opening two A380 superjumbos parked at Changi Airport as temporary restaurants on Oct 24 and 25.
A meal in a suite costs S$642 (14,800 baht), while seats in business class are going for S$321 and then dropping to S$96.30 for premium economy and S$53.50 for economy. Customers can also pay with frequent-flyer miles.
About half the seats in each aircraft will be available for dining, in line with restaurant guidelines on group limits and distancing, Singapore Airlines said in a statement. It plans to open a waiting list from 6pm local time on Monday due to strong demand.
In normal flying service, the carrier’s A380s can seat up to 471 people, according to its website.
The company will study the waiting list and see how it can “potentially accommodate some of those who are still interested in this unique dining experience", SIA vice president of commercial operations Lee Lik Hsin said.
Singapore Airlines, which suffered a record S$1.12 billion net loss in the quarter through June and is laying off about 20% of its workforce, is also selling a range of first- and business-class meals and offering a service whereby a private chef reheats, plates and serves customers in their homes.