Singapore Airlines launching nonstop service to Las Vegas

Friday, March 15, 2002 | 10:43 a.m.

Singapore Airlines, an air carrier that frequently lands at the top of many travel professionals' lists of favorites to fly, will launch its 15-hour nonstop flight between Las Vegas and Hong Kong in August.

The airline made the official announcement in a luncheon today in Singapore, attended by Las Vegas tourism leaders and showgirls. The company confirmed in January it was gearing up for the service after it began selling tickets on computer systems used by travel agents.

"We are proud to welcome Singapore Airlines, one of the leading airlines in the world," said Manny Cortez, president and chief executive officer of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority in a statement issued by the airline, McCarran International Airport and the LVCVA. "This further indicates that Las Vegas is a desirable international destination and we hope more international air carriers follow Singapore Airlines' lead by opening their markets to our vibrant city."

The airline, operated by the SIA Group of Singapore and known globally as SIA, will give a boost to the Las Vegas tourism industry by establishing another direct link for Las Vegas to Asia. SIA will operate the round-trip Hong Kong flight three times a week beginning Aug. 2, joining Japan Airlines as the only carrier with nonstop service to Asia.

SIA's flight from Las Vegas will operate Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays and leave McCarran at 1:30 a.m., arriving in Hong Kong at 7:30 a.m., the next day. The 13-hour and 45-minute return flight will leave Hong Kong Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 8:25 p.m., arriving in Las Vegas at 7:10 p.m. the same day.

The unusual departure and arrival times result from flying over the International Date Line. A twin-engine Boeing 777 jumbo jet with 30 business class seats and 255 coach seats will be used on the route.

Singapore Airlines Flight 08 will originate in Singapore, fly to Hong Kong and Las Vegas, then return as Flight 09 to Hong Kong, continuing to Singapore.

Hong Kong, a key international finance and trade center in Southeast Asia, has a population of more than 7 million people. Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok is a major international hub with dozens of daily flights to and from China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines and other Asian destinations.

Without nonstop flights, Asian travelers usually take transpacific flights to the U.S. West Coast, then catch a one-hour flight to Las Vegas. International travelers prefer the nonstop option because they can save three hours or more to get to their destination. Immigration and U.S. Customs inspections at McCarran also are faster than in Los Angeles or San Francisco because there are fewer international flights and people in line.

SIA's plans to initiate service to Las Vegas has had the city's tourism industry buzzing for months.

Harry Kassap, manager of air service development at McCarran, has said SIA is one of the most respected airlines in the world and in January, he said the addition of the airline would bolster international service by foreign carriers to Las Vegas.

McCarran already is served by Japan Airlines from Tokyo, Virgin Atlantic Airlines from London, Air Canada from Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver and four Mexican carriers to four Mexican cities. Condor Airlines has had seasonal flights between Frankfurt, Germany, and Las Vegas, but presently isn't offering the route.

Las Vegas will be SIA's seventh North American destination, joining Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago; New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport; Newark, N.J.; and Vancouver, British Columbia.

"Beyond its legendary casinos, Las Vegas has grown to become an exciting destination with a wide range of attractions, from shopping to dining to world-class entertainment," said Michael Tan, senior executive vice president for SIA. "It has also become a popular home for megaconferences, exhibitions and incentive programs throughout the year. This new flight offers the convenience of connection-free, direct service to one of America's most vibrant leisure and convention destinations."

SIA's fleet includes 88 passenger jets and 11 freight-hauling planes and serves cities in Europe and Africa in addition to Asia and North America. SIA and its regional subsidiary SilkAir fly to 91 destinations in 40 countries.

The company has received numerous awards for its quality of service from several travel magazines and organizations.