SilkAir

SilkAir Singapore Private Limited, operating as SilkAir, was a Singaporean regional airline with its head office in Changi, Singapore. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines and in 2017, operated scheduled passenger services from Singapore to 54 cities in Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, and Northern Australia.[2] As the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, it served the short to medium-haul destinations in the Singapore Airlines Group network.

By the end of 2021, SilkAir ceased operations, with all flights transferred to its parent company Singapore Airlines or its low-cost affiliate Scoot.[3]

History

The airline had its roots as a regional air-charter company as Tradewinds Charters formed in 1975,[4]

Services

Cabins

There were two classes of cabins available on all SilkAir flights — Business class and Economy class.[47] In 2020, there were new lie-flat seats in Business class, and the installation of seat-back in-flight entertainment systems in both Business and Economy classes.[48]

Business class cabins consisted of leather seats with a seat pitch of between 39 and 40 inches and seat width between 20-22 inches. On Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, the seat pitch was increased significantly to 49 inches in Business Class with additional seat recline.

Economy class cabins had a seat pitch of 31 inches and seat width between 17-18 inches. On Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft there were seat-back tablet and phone holders, and personal in-seat USB charging ports.

In-flight entertainment

SilkAir offered a selection of newspapers and magazine titles on board and screened a series of short features on its 11-inch overhead dropdown screens. The Silkwinds inflight magazine was complimentary for all passengers. In-seat audio and power supply were available exclusively on its Boeing aircraft.

2014 saw the launch of SilkAir Studio as a complimentary wireless streaming service for its passengers. It was first available on its Boeing 737-800 aircraft before being progressively rolled out to its Airbus fleet. This system complemented the existing overhead systems.[49]

SilkAir Studio was introduced in 2014 where passengers were able to stream blockbuster hits, short features, and music, to their personal laptops and handheld devices via Wi-Fi. This system complemented the existing overhead systems. Passengers in Business Class on flights more than two hours were offered a tablet. In May 2017, the service was enhanced and upgraded to offer more than 150 international blockbuster movies and TV sitcom shows available on SilkAir Studio.[50] For Apple users, the SilkAir Studio app had to be downloaded prior to flight in order to enjoy the in-flight entertainment.

Dining

SilkAir offered Oriental and Western menus. Light snacks were also available on selected flights of less than one and a half hours. SilkAir launched their All-Time Favourites dishes in July 2016 where they served a selection of Asian, Western and local cuisine such as Nasi Lemak, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Beef Tenderloin, etc. that Business Class passengers could pre-book meals before their flight.[51]

Frequent-flyer programs

SilkAir shared the KrisFlyer frequent flyer program with its parent company, Singapore Airlines.[52] However, unlike Singapore Airlines, SilkAir is not a member of Star Alliance, so frequent flyer miles on SilkAir flights may only be credited on the KrisFlyer programme, but not on other Star Alliance frequent flyer programs.[53]

airline	SilkAir
iata	MI
icao	SLK
callsign	SILKAIR
founded	1975 (as Tradewinds Charters)
commenced	February 21, 1989 (as Tradewinds Airlines) April 1, 1992 (as SilkAir)‡R1R‡
ceased	May 6, 2021 (merged into Singapore Airlines)
hubs	Changi Airport
frequent flyer	KrisFlyer
parent	Singapore Airlines
headquarters	Singapore
website	silkair.com

History

Corporate affairs

Business trends

Destinations

Codeshare agreements

Fleet

Fleet development

Services

Cabins

In-flight entertainment

Dining

Frequent-flyer programs

Tradewinds Tours and Travel

Accidents and incidents

SilkAir Flight 185

External links

References