Singapore Airlines` (SIA) first SpaceBed equipped aircraft, a B747 Megatop, will enter service on the Singapore-London route tomorrow, on 1 June 2002.

Announced in August 2001, the new Raffles Class lie-flat seat, the SpaceBed, is designed to afford more space and comfort for our business travellers. Besides a wider and longer sleeping surface, the SpaceBed`s unique cushioning system conforms more effectively to the body`s contours, allowing our passengers to rest even more comfortably in their preferred sleeping positions.

Speaking at a launch event in London, SIA`s Senior Executive Vice President (Commercial) Michael Tan said, “We are on the threshold of another major development in the long-haul travel experience. SIA`s Raffles Class is about to get bigger and better, attaining a quantum leap in spaciousness, comfort and privacy.”

Each SpaceBed comes equipped with KrisWorld, SIA`s new-generation inflight entertainment system based on Matsushita Avionic`s latest MAS 3000 system. It offers unrivalled high quality digital sound and pictures on demand on a 10.4 inch high-resolution monitor. SIA is the first airline to offer this on-demand system.

“Our passengers won`t be sleeping all the time, which is why the SpaceBed is a top-class seat, offering multi-recline positions. It is perfect for enjoying KrisWorld. Our inflight entertainment innovators worked hard with Matsushita to offer another first in the sky - multi-player electronic games such as chess or mahjong on top of a wide range of interactive games,” said Mr Tan.

Installed at a cost of US$100 million, SpaceBeds will be retrofitted over the next year on 45 B747 Megatops and B777-200ER (extended range) aircraft serving long and medium haul destinations.

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