Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-400 "Megatop" : The Queen of Singaporean Airliners

There are always a story behind a successful aircraft. Megatop, the Boeing 747-400 aircraft of Singapore Airlines became the flagship aircraft and also the backbone for long-haul routes for Singapore Airlines for 23 years, from 1989 until 2012. For her 23 years of reign, the Megatop became the Queen of Singaporean Airliners. Here's the story of The Megatop, Boeing 747-400.
 

A Boeing 747-200B “Super B” of Singapore Airlines at Zurich-Kloten International Airport in 1981

On 3 September 1973, Singapore Airlines took delivery of its two of the first Boeing 747-200B aircraft. At the time, Singapore Airlines ordered 19 Boeing 747-200B aircraft. That type operated the first passenger flight from Singapore to Tokyo Haneda via Hong Kong. This order was made by Singapore Airlines to operate long-haul and high-density routes. The Boeing 747-200B later named as "Super B" by Singapore Airlines.

A Boeing 747-300 “Big Top” of Singapore Airlines at Boeing’s Factory near Seattle at 1983 before delivered to Singapore Airlines

In 1983, Singapore Airlines introduced the Boeing 747-300, the bigger version of Boeing 747 to replace its Boeing 747-200B. The aircraft was used by Singapore Airlines to operate long-haul and high-density routes. The Boeing 747-300 later named as "Big Top" by Singapore Airlines.

N401PW, the prototype of Boeing 747-400 took off from the runway of Moses Lake, Washington

On 26 January 1988, the prototype of Boeing 747-400, the largest passenger aircraft at the time, rolled out at the Everett Factory and took the first maiden flight on 29 April 1988. Then, on 9 February 1989, N661US took the first ever Boeing 747-400 commercial flight. It flew from Minneapolis to Phoenix. The aircraft was owned by the Boeing 747-400's launch costumer, Northwest Airlines.

Back to Singapore Airlines. At the time, Singapore Airlines ordered up to 42 Boeing 747-400. The reason was to replace its aging and smaller Boeing 747-200B and Boeing 747-300. The Boeing 747-400 became the largest and the most advanced passenger aircraft at the time. 

9V-SMA, the first Boeing 747-400 of Singapore Airlines with old Singapore Airlines livery. The old livery of Singapore Airlines used smaller font

9V-SMB, the second Boeing 747-400 of Singapore Airlines at Tokyo-Narita International Airport on 22 February 2000

On 18 March 1989, Singapore Airlines took delivery of its first Boeing 747-400, 9V-SMA. The Boeing 747-400 named as "Megatop" by Singapore Airlines. After that, on 27 March 1989, Singapore Airlines became the first airline to operate commercial flight across the Pacific Ocean with Boeing 747-400. The two first Boeing 747-400 to operate the first Boeing 747-400 international passenger service were 9V-SMA and 9V-SMB, the two first Singapore Airlines' Boeing 747-400.  Then, the Singapore Airlines' Boeing 747-400 flew from Singapore to London Heathrow without a stop on 29 May 1989. 

The Megatop Boeing 747-400 was designed for long-haul routes. Then, Singapore Airlines made an innovation to make its passengers on Boeing 747-400's long-haul flight didn't get bored. So, the airline introduced in-flight personal cinema systems on its long-haul Boeing 747-400 aircraft. The first flight with personal cinema systems on its Boeing 747-400 fleet occurred on 15 April 1992. Commenced flight from Singapore to Tokyo. 

9V-SMU with 1000th sticker on 29 December 1997 at Zurich-Kloten International Airport

The Boeing's 1000th Boeing 747 (all-series), 9V-SMU, was delivered to Singapore Airlines. The aircraft was also the 21st Boeing 747-400 aircraft of Singapore Airlines. So, the aircraft was painted with 1000th words below its hump.

9V-SMW at Copenhagen-Kastrup International Airport in 1995

After the delivery of the 23rd Singapore Airlines' Megatop Boeing 747-400, 9V-SMW on 29 January 1994, Singapore Airlines became the world's largest jumbo jet operator. On 13 April 1994, The Super B or the Boeing 747-200B of Singapore Airlines left the fleet of Singapore Airlines.

Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-400 in-flight entertainment system. This in-flight entertainment system was introduced by Singapore Airlines in 1995

On 21 April 1995, the world most advanced in-flight entertainment system was introduced by Singapore Airlines to its Boeing 747-400 fleet. 

9V-SPK in April 1999

9V-SPL, the second Megatop to wear “Tropical Megatop” livery

9V-SPP at Singapore-Changi International Airport

9V-SPP at Singapore-Changi International Airport

 
On 12 January 1997, 9V-SPK, a Boeing 747-400 that wore the special "Tropical Megatop" livery was delivered to Singapore Airlines. That was followed by the delivery of the second Megatop that wore the special "Tropical Megatop" livery. The aircraft, 9V-SPL, was delivered on 30 January 1997. 9V-SPP (delivered 7 June 2001) and 9V-SPR (delivered 8 June 2007 from Malaysia Airlines) wore "Star Alliance" livery. 

Singapore Airlines Megatop Boeing 747-400 “SkySuites” first class seat

At the time, the Megatop Boeing 747-400 was the flagship aircraft of Singapore Airlines. So, Singapore Airlines tried to do the best with its flagship aircraft. Especially to make its cabin more luxurious and more comfortable. On 30 March 1998, Singapore Airlines launched the full-reclining first class seat. The seat was named as "SkySuites" by Singapore Airlines. SkySuites on the Megatop was one of the most luxurious seats in the air. The SkySuites design allowed first class passengers to sleep on the Megatop's SkySuite that could be reclined into a bed. So first class passengers could sleep as they did at home.

The tail section of 9V-SPK after crashed as Singapore Airlines flight 6 at Taipei-Chiang Kai Shek International Airport

But, on 31 October 2000, a disaster stroke the flagship aircraft of Singapore Airlines. A Boeing 747-400 that wore the "Tropical Megatop" livery, 9V-SPK was attempted to takeoff in a heavy rain, caused by Typhoon Xangsane at Taipei-Chiang Kai-shek International Airport (now Taipei-Taoyuan International Airport). The aircraft operated flight SQ6 from Singapore to Los Angeles via Taipei. The flight took off on the closed runway and hit construction equipment. The aircraft was destroyed. There were 159 passengers and 20 crews on board Singapore Airlines flight 6. 96 people survived the crash. But, the 83 others were dead. A newspaper carried a report of a heroic action of a stewardess. After the crash, the fire burned the aircraft. Ms. Irene Ang Miau Lee, a stewardess of Singapore Airlines was successfully escaped from the aircraft. But, she ran back to the aircraft to save some passengers. Finally, she died. The final report of this accident is an attempted to takeoff on a closed runway; pilot error; collision with construction equipment; lack of ground radar; bad weather and visibility. After the crash of Singapore Airlines flight 6, the airline removed "Tropical Megatop" livery from 9V-SPL, the another aircraft that wore "Tropical Megatop" livery.

9V-SPL after the “Tropical Megatop” livery removed from the aircraft. This photo was taken at Frankfurt-am Main International Airport

Singapore Airlines Megatop Boeing 747-400 business class (or “Raffles Class”) seats

Even after lost one of its jumbo jet, Singapore Airlines didn't stop its innovation on its Boeing 747-400. Singapore Airlines again launched the biggest business class bed on its Megatop Boeing 747-400 on 17 August 2001. It became the biggest business class bed in the sky at the time. Singapore Airlines named the business class on its Boeing 747-400 as "Raffles Class." Three months later, the youngest and latest Megatop aircraft (that purchased by Singapore Airlines from Boeing, not from the other airline or leasing company), 9V-SPQ was delivered on 31 October 2001. On 27 February 2001, The Big Top, the Boeing 747-300 of Singapore Airlines left Singapore Airlines' fleet.

Singapore Airlines kept deploying The Megatop to many routes. On 22 February 2006, the government of Australia decided not to grant the fifth-freedom flight of Singapore Airlines from Australia to the United States. This step was taken to protect Qantas from competition. At the time, Australia suffered under-capacity of passenger load after Singapore Airlines deployed Boeing 747-400 routinely to Australia. Singapore Airlines also received a protest from Air Canada to stop deployed the Boeing 747-400 to Toronto. Singapore Airlines also received a protest from Garuda Indonesia to stop deployed the Boeing 747-400 to Jakarta. The reason from that two airlines was they couldn't use similar equipment to compete.

After many years in service with Singapore Airlines, Singapore Airlines started to look for the replacement of The Megatop. Then, the airline finally found the bigger and more advanced aircraft to replace its Boeing 747-400. This aircraft also one of the most advanced aircraft, even until now (as of 2016), the Airbus A380-800. Then, Singapore Airlines ordered the aircraft. The first Airbus A380-800 received by Singapore Airlines on 15 October 2007 and entered service on 25 October 2007, with the first flight from Singapore to Sydney as flight SQ380. Singapore Airlines became the first customer and the first airline to fly the Airbus A380-800. Two months later, Singapore Airlines' CEO announced if the Airbus A380-800 has better fuel efficiency with 20% more efficient fuel burning per seat if compared by Boeing 747-400.

After the arrival of the Airbus A380-800 to Singapore Airlines, the Boeing 747-400 position as the flagship aircraft of Singapore Airlines moved to Airbus A380-800. Since that, Airbus A380-800 started to replace Boeing 747-400 on long-haul routes.

 

Then, in early 2012, Singapore Airlines announced if they would no longer operate the Boeing 747-400 again. They also scheduled for the farewell flight of The Megatop. On 25 March 2012, Singapore Airlines operated the last regular passenger service of The Megatop Boeing 747-400. The flight was operated from Singapore to Melbourne and back to Singapore.

9V-SPQ at Hong Kong-Cheap Lap Kok International Airport

Then, on 6 April 2012, that was the day when The Megatop Boeing 747-400 would serve passengers for the very last time after served passengers for about 23 years. 9V-SPQ, the youngest Megatop of Singapore Airlines operated special flight as flight SQ747. The destination? The destination was the destination where the first Boeing 747 of Singapore Airlines served passengers for the first time in 1973. The destination was Hong Kong.

Singapore Airlines flight 747 was departed from Singapore at 08:30 A.M with on-ground celebration. There was a party on board the aircraft to celebrate the last passenger flight of Megatop. Singapore Airlines offered special meals on this special flight. The flight arrived at Hong Kong at 13.45.

9V-SPQ at Hong Kong-Cheap Lap Kok International Airport gate before passengers boarded the last passenger flight of Megatop (photo by Charles Ryan Teo)

Passengers toasted for the last takeoff of the Megatop (photo by Bubu@indoflyer.net)

After that, the real farewell flight would start. There was a party on board. Then, the boarding time came. Before boarded The Megatop for the last time, passengers of flight SQ748 received a bag of souvenirs. At 01:45 P.M, 9V-SPQ operated flight SQ748 and departed from Hong Kong. That was a time when the Megatop took off to carry the passengers for the very last time. After reached the cruising altitude the passengers toast each other to celebrate the last takeoff of The Megatop Boeing 747-400. At the flight, passengers were allowed to go around in the aircraft. A party was held on board and the passengers were happy. Many former Singapore Airlines' Boeing 747 crews invited to this flight. On board the flight SQ748, passengers enjoyed special meals from Singapore Airlines. Games and cabin tours also held in the aircraft. As the captain announced the plane was going to start to descent, every passenger went back to their seats. Then, at 19:06 Singapore time, 9V-SPQ had done its job to carry the passengers of Singapore Airlines Megatop Boeing 747-400 for the very last time. The landing gear of 9V-SPQ touched the runway of Singapore-Changi International Airport gently. Finally, after 23 of in service in Singapore Airlines, The Megatop finally retired from its fleet. It left so many beautiful memories to everyone.

Now, The Megatop still flying for Singapore Airlines. But of course without windows, seats, and "CARGO" words added to its livery. Yes, The Megatop still flying with Singapore Airlines Cargo as cargo aircraft. After the retirement of the Singapore Airlines' Megatop Boeing 747-400, 9V-SPQ, the aircraft that involved on flight SQ747 and SQ748 was sold and purchased by Transaero, a Russian airline. The aircraft was painted in "Flight of Hope" livery. But, the aircraft was sold again after the bankruptcy of Transaero. Then, the former Megatop long-haul routes are now operated by aircraft like Airbus A380-800 and Boeing 777-300ER. After Megatop, The Queen of Singaporean Airliners went forever from the world of aviation; it means her days with us are just history now. Goodbye, Megatop, the Queen of Singaporean Airliners. Thank you for beautiful memories in the past!

"After twenty-three of its reign, the queen of the skies finally came down forever from her throne, leaving beautiful memories for many people."

"Tribute to all the passengers and crews aboard Singapore Airlines flight 6, they may be rest in peace."