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With the SilkAir brand being taken over by Singapore Airlines, it appears that the first 737-800 is emerging in the Singapore Airlines livery. First, a bit of background …
The merger of Singapore Airlines and SilkAir
In mid-2018 it was announced that Singapore Airlines and SilkAir would merge. For context, SilkAir is the wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. While Singapore Airlines exclusively flies wide-body aircraft, SilkAir exclusively flies narrow-body aircraft.
When the plan was first announced:
- Over the next few years, the SilkAir brand would be fully incorporated into the Singapore Airlines brand.
- Singapore Airlines would invest more than $ 100 million to upgrade SilkAir cabins with business class reclining seats, as well as seat back entertainment in both cabins.
- The intention was to create a consistent flight experience in narrow and wide body aircraft.
FlyDubai 737 business class, similar to what was expected for Singapore Airlines
Obviously, a lot has happened since that announcement was made, including:
- The 737 MAX was grounded, and the airline had a total of 37 orders.
- The coronavirus pandemic has prompted airlines to cut non-essential spending
SilkAir Boeing 737-800
Singapore Airlines’ first Boeing 737-800
Images are emerging of the first SilkAir Boeing 737-800 to get the Singapore Airlines livery, and boy is it pretty!
Singapore B737 🥰😍 pic.twitter.com/Qp9ayVQo4c
– Aviatren (@aviatren) September 5, 2020
The first 737-800 to get the livery has the registration code 9V-MGA and is a six-year-old aircraft. The plane has been on the ground for more than five months, as it operated its last flight on March 20.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first 737 to sport the Singapore Airlines livery in recent years. Late last year, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 appeared in the Singapore Airlines livery. Of course, that plane has been grounded, as is the case with all Boeing 737 MAXs.
The livery of the first 737 MAX 8 Singapore Airlines, and next year, SilkAir will officially collapse with Singapore Airlines and the airline will gradually start converting all business class seats to throne seats https://t.co/KkHlDwjsQ3 pic.twitter.com/rIbibnWVqj
– Baan Nok learns to ride an airship. (@BannorkAviation) Dec 24, 2019
The plan now is for the entire SilkAir Boeing 737-800 fleet to be repainted in the new livery by March 2021, although I imagine that remains subject to change.
In fact, it is probably worth noting that this is not the first time that Singapore Airlines has operated the 737. In the 1970s, Singapore Airlines operated 737-100 and 737-300.
Singapore Airlines. Old fleet. Boeing 737-100 pic.twitter.com/1Rp5I9BhO8
– PJ de Jong (PJ) (@jong_pj) April 9, 2015
It’s pretty amazing how little the Singapore Airlines livery has changed in almost 50 years, huh?
Do Singapore Airlines 737s have flat beds?
Currently, SilkAir 737s have reclining seats in business class, similar to what you would find in domestic first class within the US.
SilkAir 737 business class
The plan has been for SilkAir 737s to have completely flat beds by joining the Singapore Airlines fleet, so what’s the latest on that? While Singapore Airlines is moving forward with refinishing the SilkAir 737s, the airline isn’t significantly tweaking the interiors right now, so don’t expect completely flat beds on the 737-800s for now.
We’ll have to wait and see what happens to the Boeing 737 MAX 8. The airline has to pay for the interiors there anyway, as the planes are brand new, so we’ll see if the airline chooses completely flat beds and personal televisions, or it just keeps the same interiors. Obviously, the pandemic has caused airlines to think twice about every dollar they spend.
Bottom line
The first Boeing 737-800 has joined the Singapore Airlines fleet. The plan is for the remaining 737-800s to be repainted and join the Singapore Airlines fleet by the end of the first quarter of next year, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see that slip a bit.
For all practical purposes, many aspects of the Singapore Airlines and SilkAir operations have already been combined, so there aren’t too many implications in terms of the passenger experience for now. That’s especially true when you consider that flat beds and personal televisions won’t be adapting to these planes anytime soon.
What do you think of the Singapore Airlines livery on the 737?
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