Singapore Airlines Operates First 737 MAX Service

Originally published on AeroXplorer

Singapore Airlines recently operated its first Boeing 737 MAX flight, on a return flight from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to Phuket International Airport (HKT). The airline will continue to operate the type on the route as the airline eases the type back into service. According to schedule data, Singapore Airlines will begin ramping up flights on the 737 MAX in February. 

Singapore Airlines' Boeing 737 MAX returned to revenue service today. Photo: Vikas A

The Boeing 737 MAX is not a new aircraft for Singapore Airlines, as the type had been operating under the airline’s subsidiary Silk Air. However, in 2019 the type was grounded along with the rest of the global fleet. Instead of the 737 MAX returning back into service with Silk Air, Singapore Airlines bought the aircraft in-house under its main brand.

At 09:56, 9V-MBC departed Singapore Changi Airport and climbed up to 38,000 feet for the two-hour flight to Phuket, where it landed at 10:45. The plane then flew back to Changi before departing on another flight to Phuket at 17:11. The aircraft used by Singapore Airlines is a 737 MAX 8 aircraft registered as 9V-MBC. The aircraft is 3.97 years old, having first flown on December 6th, 2017. At the start of April of this year, the aircraft was transferred to Singapore Airlines, and it is currently valued at $35.55 million. 
 

For the time being, Singapore Airlines has only scheduled the aircraft type on flights between Singapore Changi and Phuket as things currently stand. Starting in February, Singapore Airlines will ramp up the use of the 737 MAX with a double daily rotation to Phuket. Currently, Singapore Airlines has only six 737 MAX aircraft; however, they have an additional 31 737 MAX 8 aircraft on order. These planes will have a ten-seat business class cabin in the front of the plane, which will feature throne seats.