An in-depth look into Singapore Airlines and how they have maintained their highly prestigious status of great service.
Graduate student project (October 2018)
3. Company Background
1947
Malayan Airways Limited
The first Malayan Airways flight
departs, starting the timeline for
Singapore Airlines.
Malaysian-Singapore
Airlines
As Singapore became
Independent from Malaysia in
1965, the company changed
their name to include Singapore.
1966
Singapore Airlines
Established
MSA and SIA seperated because
of conflicting interests between
the two countries and Singapore
Airlines was established.
1972
Best Airline in the World
Internationally known, Award
Winning Airline receiving multiple
Best Airline awards. While also
being the most cost-effective
airline.
2018
https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/us/flying-withus/our-story/our-heritage/#time-1949
5. Opportunities & Challenges
Opportunities Challenges
No Domestic flights
Competing with other International
luxury airlines
Low Operating Costs/
Partially Government Owned
More competitors are entering the
market
Focus on Exceptional Service Entering the North American
Market
6. Competitors
Price
(Avg round trip)
$1,081 $989 $1,010 $1,051 $1,026
Cabin
Classes
Economy Class
Premium Economy Class
Business Class
First Class
Suites Class*
Economy Class
Business Class
First Class
Economy Class
Business Class
First Class
Residence*
Economy Class
Business Class
First Class
Economy Class
Premium Economy Class
Business Class
First Class
Entertainment x x x x x
Full Service x x x x x
Location
Changi Int Airport,
Singapore
Hamad Int Airport, Doha,
Qatar
Abu Dhabi Int Airport,
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dubai Int Airport,
Dubai, UAE
Hong Kong Int Airport,
Hong Kong
7. Competitive Strategy
Customer
Experience
A mixture of Brand Marketing, Cabin
Classes, Entertainment, Food and
Exceptional Service create the best
atmosphere to fly in.
Cost Effective +
Innovation
SIA focuses a lot of their spending on
bettering their Customer Service, but
they are able to keep costs low with
factors like, lower corporate salaries
and regular maintenance.
8. 1951-1952
Female Pursers
This was the name given to their female flight
attendants.
1972
The Singapore Girl is born
Flight attendants are all trained for a 4 month period,
which ensures proper training for all situations.
Present
The Modern Singapore Girl
The Singapore Girl has remained relatively the same since her
inception & has remained a huge Icon for the SIA brand.
1968
The Iconic Singapore Girl Sarong Kebaya
Singapore airlines asked Pierre Balmain to design
the new Singapore Girl uniform.
The
Singapore
Girl
https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/us/media-centre/multimedia-library/
9. In Flight Experience
Entertainment & Food
Video: Premium Economy Food Selectionshttps://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/us/media-centre/multimedia-library/
10. In Flight Experience
Cabin Classes
Economy/Premium Economy First Class Business Class
https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/us/media-centre/multimedia-library/
11. In Flight Experience
Cabin Classes
Singapore Airlines Suites Class
https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/us/media-centre/multimedia-library/
12. Low Operational Costs
Frequently updated/replaced Fleet05
● SIA replaces their aircrafts to create the most technologically
advanced fleet.
● Always updating and advancing their fleets
● First to try new aircrafts in the market
Lower Corporate Staff Salaries04
● Focuses on low salary, high bonuses (up to 50%)
● Cutting salaries on administration jobs and focusing on service
● Attracts younger employees
Energy Efficient & Maintenance03
● Uses energy efficient aircrafts that use less fuel
● Maintains aircrafts well and quick to prevent future damages
● SIA’s fleet is still young and aircrafts still relatively new
Spends in Focal Areas02
● SIA spends a lot on customer service such as staff per flight
● Saves on areas that they feel is insignificant
● Spends more on cabin crew and customer experience
Rigorous Training & Standards01
● Flight attendants are trained for 4 months
● All employees are held to a strict standard
● Cabin Crew enforce SIA’s expectations (time & service)
13. Flight SQ21 & SQ22
● Lightweight carbon-fibre materials
● Extra fuel capacity
● Conserves fuel
Premium economy and business class seats only
Reduced to 161 seats, 67 of them being Business
class
$1,420 in Premium Economy
$4,720 in Business Class
https://www.economist.com/gulliver/2018/10/11/singapore-airlines-launches-the-worlds-longest-flight
Longest Flight in the World
18 hours Nonstop Flight
14. Results
1
Best International Airline
Singapore
Airlines
has
been
ranked
#1
in
m
ultiple
aw
ard
categories
and
has
w
on
for m
ultiple
consecutive
years.
2
International M
arket
Singapore
Airlines
now
flies
to
62
different
destinations, in
32
different countries.
3
Operating
at a
Profit
Singapore
Airlines
has
been
m
aking
a
profit for 46
years.. They saw
their highest net profit w
ith
SGD$893
m
illion
last year.
4
Passenger Growth
Singapore
airlines
has
a
19.45%
annual passenger
grow
th
as
of 2017..
17. Singapore Airlines’ ambition and brand development paid off, being industry leaders even after 45 years.
The combination of customer service, quality experience and following the company’s values helped
make Singapore Airlines an internationally known name.
Singapore Airlines has a clear image of their brand and what they stand for.
Owning SilkAir and Scoot allows Singapore Airlines to operate lower fare services without lowering the
SIA’s brand.
But they still face challenges attracting new flyers from the North American markets, but with the new
nonstop flights, may lead to some change.
Insights