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They have been dating for about a year and on October 25, Nicholas Lim and his girlfriend Eleanor Teo will board a plane together for the first time.
The couple’s destination is not a far off place, but the Singapore Airlines restaurant on an A-380 plane, which will be parked at Changi Airport next weekend and the next.
The couple, who opted for economy cabin lunch at $ 50 each, are among the lucky 3,500 customers who got a seat for lunch or dinner.
More than 900 seats that were available for the SIA A380 @ Changi Restaurant dining experience were sold within 30 minutes of opening reservations on October 12. Prices ranged from $ 50 for economy class to $ 600 for suites.
Two planes will be deployed, and guests will occupy about half of the seats to meet safe distance guidelines.
In addition to the food, Teo, 31, who works for a charity, and Lim, 34, will be able to explore the world’s largest passenger plane in the three hours they have on the plane. They also plan to see the movie Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey.
Ms Teo, a fan of the DC Comics character, wanted to see the film when it opened in theaters in February, but was hesitant due to the increase in Covid-19 cases at the time.
“For $ 50 per person, the experience is reasonably priced as you get a three-course meal, watch movies on board, and get a souvenir,” said Lim, who works for a non-governmental organization.
She is opting for a Peranakan meal of early ayam and sambal eggplant, while Ms. Teo has chosen a Japanese style lunch.
Mr. Nicholas Lim and his girlfriend Eleanor Teo will board a plane together for the first time on October 25. PHOTO: Nicholas Lim
The Straits Times spoke to five Singaporeans who purchased the Restaurant A380 @ Changi dining experience or the SIA @ Home package, which offers customers first-class or business-class meals delivered to their doorstep.
SIA, which reported its first annual loss in its 48-year history, launched initiatives to engage customers amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
Another initiative, which would see SIA opening the doors of its training center, will accept reservations from November 1.
Those who secured a seat or meal said “the experience is worth paying for.”
A Singapore Airlines A380 plane parked at Changi Airport will be turned into a restaurant on October 24 and 25. PHOTO: Singapore Airlines
The SIA @ Home package offers customers first-class or business-class meals delivered to their doorstep. PHOTO: Singapore Airlines
Amy Tay booked a Suites lunch for October 25 using the 80,250 KrisFlyer miles she took years to accumulate.
The 34-year-old auditor said she has not traveled since 2017 due to family and personal commitments.
Having spent five years in the United States, where she studied at the University of Michigan before working in New York City, Ms. Tay said that boarding an SIA flight always gives her a “warm and fuzzy feeling when I see my friends. Singaporean companions. “
“SIA has been good to me when times were good for them. I want to help them now that times are tough,” she said.
Technology consultant Felix Wee, 28, who secured a spot for a lunch at Suites on Oct. 24, is concerned that SIA, which does not have a domestic market, may not be able to recover as quickly as airlines elsewhere.
Another customer, who just wanted to be known as Dr. Goh, bought French chef Georges Blanc’s first-class set offered under SIA @ Home, which opened for orders on October 5.
(Left to right) Navarin’s Beef Short Rib, Chilled Oscietra Caviar Blinis with Creme Creme and Chives, and Brownie Gateau with Chocolate Nectar were part of Dr. Goh’s meal. PHOTOS: Dr. Goh
The food was delivered on October 11.
He had bought the food to support the airline, concerned that thousands of jobs in the aviation industry are at risk due to Covid-19.
Dr. Goh described the food as excellent, adding that it was a wonderful experience to have a three-Michelin-star dinner at home, especially for his elderly and vulnerable parents and in-laws.
This article was first published in The times of the strait. Permission is required for reproduction.
