First-class ‘in-flight’ dining on an A380 pop-up restaurant

Airline food has never had the greatest of reviews - but that could all be about to change.

Singapore Airlines has announced it will transform two of its Airbus A380 double-decker superjumbos into pop-up restaurants.

Taking place for two weekends only - 24-25 October and 31 October-1 November - the A380 dining experience will see passengers board the aircraft and sit down for an in-flight meal. However, there’s no need for take-off or landing as the aircraft will remain parked at Changi Airport.

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Prices for the “Restaurant A380 @Changi” concept reflect the cabin class in which passengers book tickets for. An economy class ticket costs SG$53.50 (£30), premium economy is SG$96.30 (£54) and business is SG$321 (£181). Diners who really want the luxury A380 experience can book a suite for SG$642 (£362).

It’s proved very popular with tickets for the initial dates of 24-25 October selling out in 30 minutes, Bloomberg reports. Singapore Airlines extended the offer for a further two days the following weekend and has also added a dinner option on all four days.

According to the airline’s website guests can enjoy a pre-dining restaurant tour before sitting down for international cuisines and dishes designed by acclaimed Singaporean chef Shermay Lee.

Two complimentary alcoholic drinks, a free flow of other beverages and in-flight movies will also be available.

Creative concepts

With the pandemic bringing the aviation industry to a halt this year, airlines have had to be creative to keep business going.

Australian airline Qantas recently had a “flight to nowhere” which took off and landed in Sydney, CNN reports. The flight looped around the country giving passengers the chance to view sights such as Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef from the skies.

As well as its dining experience, Singapore Airlines has also offered other schemes including behind-the-scenes tours of its training facilities that include a grooming workshop and a spin in a flight simulator, says the Daily Mail.

Goh Choon Phong, the airline’s CEO, said: “With Covid-19 drastically reducing the number of flights operated by the SIA Group, we have created unique activities that would allow us to engage with our fans and customers during this time.”