As Singapore Airlines restarts flights from Manchester to its home base of Singapore, we take a look into the history and heritage of the carrier that stretched from the late 1940s to the present day.
1947
On 1 May, the Malayan Airways Limited (MAL) Airspeed Consul takes off from Singapore Kallang Airport. It’s the start of the new fledgling airline's schedule of three flights a week to Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang. Iced water is offered in flight.
1948
The larger and faster Douglas DC-3s take off to Jakarta, Medan, Palembang and Saigon. Flights to Bangkok were added to the schedule.
1949
A large investment sees three new DC-3s added to the fleet and the airline starts flying to North Borneo, Sarawak, Mergui and Rangoon.
1951-1952
Four new DC-3s are added to the fleet.
Iced water isn’t the only item on the inflight menu anymore, the carrier serves a choice of hot, cold and alcoholic beverages, as well as sandwiches, biscuits and cold cuts. This is also the first time that “female pursers” were employed and would pave the way for the Singapore Girl some twenty or so years later.
1955
The DC-3 makes its inaugural flight to Brunei.
1963
The Federation of Malaysia forms on 16 September. To commemorate this, Malayan Airways Limited becomes Malaysian Airways Limited.
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| Photo Wonglc |
1966
Malaysian Airways Limited becomes Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) in May.
1968
Our annual revenue hits S$100 million for the first time.
The sarong kebaya is designed by French couturier Pierre Balmain, and becomes the signature outfit for the Singapore Girl.
Three new Boeing 707s mean more frequent flights, further, faster.
1969
Five Boeing 737-100s join the fleet.
1970
Becomes one of the first airlines to give out free headsets for the inflight entertainment system, and offer a choice of meals and drinks in Economy Class.
1971
Hello London! The airline makes its first transcontinental journey from Singapore to London on 2 June.
1972
Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) separates into two airlines, Malaysian Airline System, and Singapore Airlines.
The fleet expands rapidly to include the state-of-the-art jumbo jet - the Boeing 747, as well as Boeing 727, and DC10 aircraft.
Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS), a Singapore Airlines subsidiary, is set up to manage ground services at Paya Lebar Airport.
1977
A hangar is built exclusively for the queen of the sky, the Boeing 747.
1981
The first Airbus A300 Superbus flies to Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta on 1 February.
On 1 July, operations move from Paya Lebar Airport to the new home of the brand-new Singapore Changi Airport.
1983
Airline House, Singapore Airlines new corporate headquarters officially opens at the Changi Airfreight Centre.
The first Boeing 747-300 flies to Los Angeles via Tokyo on 5 May.
1984
The first Airbus A310-200 and Boeing 757 arrive in November, ready for flight.
1989
Tradewinds, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, is announced in February as Singapore’s second airline. It has since become SilkAir, and grown its flight network to more than 30 destinations across Asia and in Australia, and is currently being fully reabsorbed into Simgapore Airlines.
Became the first airline to send a Boeing 747-400 commercial flight from Singapore across the Pacific.
1990
On 22 November, SQ23 from Amsterdam is the first flight to land at the new Terminal 2 in Singapore Changi Airport.
1991
Personal satellite-based phones onboard allow passengers to stay in touch with people on the ground while they’re in the air.
1993
A waxwork of the Singapore Girl is unveiled at Madame Tussauds, the world-famous waxwork museum in London. It’s the first commercial figure to be displayed at the museum. Madame Tussauds said the Singapore Girl was chosen “to reflect the ever-growing popularity of international travel”, and commemorate the 21st birthday of both Singapore Airlines and the Singapore Girl.
1998
In September, a S$500 million makeover unveils a new suite of cabin products across all classes of travel, together with a wider selection of cuisine and entertainment.
1999
KrisFlyer, our frequent flyer programme, is launched. Members get to earn KrisFlyer miles when they fly with us, in any class of travel, which they can redeem for awards.
2001
KrisWorld is the first to provide audio and video-on-demand to all passengers in all classes, starting October.
2003
On 15 October, Singapore Airlines unveils the first new aircraft to join our fleet since 1997 – the ultra-long-range Airbus A340-500.
2006
In October, comprehensive suite of new generation cabin products are introduced across all classes, including the world’s widest First and Business Class seats, which transform into fully flat beds.
2007
Singapore Airlines takes delivery of the world’s first Airbus A380 in Toulouse, France on 15 October.
The future takes flight with our first Airbus A380 from Singapore to Sydney on 25 October.
2008
In January, SQ318 to London is the first flight to take off from the new Terminal 3 in Singapore Changi Airport. The all-Business Class non-stop service from Singapore to Los Angeles begins in August.
2009
The first of 19 new Airbus A330-300 is delivered on 21 January. This aircraft has a unique two-class layout, with 30 seats in Business Class and 255 in Economy Class.
On 18 February, Singapore Airlines celebrates the one-millionth passenger on its Airbus A380 aircraft. To commemorate this special occasion, passengers across all three classes onboard the aircraft are presented with champagne and special Singapore Airlines giveaways.
2010
On 18 May, Singapore Airlines presents its first cookbook, Above and Beyond: A Collection of Recipes from the Singapore Airlines International Culinary Panel, with a collection of 50 delectable recipes contributed by the ten celebrated chefs.
2012
On 6 September, Giant pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia arrived safely in Singapore that morning, flown in comfort onboard a Singapore Airlines Cargo Boeing 747-400 freighter. The approximately 4.5-hour flight, which departed from Chengdu, was scheduled to minimise any climate-related discomfort.
2013
On 9 July, Singapore Airlines launches its next generation of cabin products, set to be the new industry benchmark for premium air travel. Nearly US$150 million has been invested to introduce the new products on an initial eight Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. These products are the result of more than two years of working with world-renowned design firms.
2015
On 21 May, Singapore Airlines unveils its new Premium Economy Class seats and in-flight offerings. An investment of nearly US$80 million went into developing the new cabin product which features a contemporary and stylish design.
On 29 May, Singapore Airlines operates its first ever Charity Flight on the world's largest commercial aircraft, the Airbus A380, treating more than 300 beneficiaries to a three and a half hour flight.
On 9 August, a Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 in special SG50 livery takes part in the aerial flypast of Singapore’s National Day Parade (NDP), celebrating the nation’s 50th birthday. It’s the first time Singapore Airlines has participated in the NDP flypast. 20 Singapore Girls on trishaws are also featured in the Vintage Parade segment.
2016
On 2 March, Singapore Airlines takes delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 in Toulouse. It is the first of 67 A350 aircraft on firm order, including seven of an ultra-long-range variant for which Singapore Airlines will be the launch customer.
On 21 September, Singapore Airlines launches its new ‘Capital Express’ service, linking Singapore for the first time with the capital cities of both Australia and New Zealand. Singapore Airlines is the first airline to operate regularly scheduled international services to and from Canberra. It is also the first airline with flights between Canberra and Wellington.
2017
The Singapore Girl
You should never ask a lady her age. But she’s an exception.
She was born in the ’70s. A time of fashion, invention and transformation. Yet she remains timeless across generations. Her beauty, unfading. Her elegance, always in style. Dressed in her signature sarong kebaya, she’s the symbol of Asian hospitality recognised the world over.
And she only gets better with age.
Did you know, that while the blue sarong kebaya remains the trademark of Singapore Airlines, there are four different colours altogether. Each represents the designation of the Singapore Girl who wears it.
