Wired for sound ... the new Singapore Airlines A330-300 in-flight system.
Australian passengers will be the first to experience iPod and iPhone connections as part of cabin features when Singapore Airlines new A330-300 planes start flying from the end of March.
The new planes will replace Boeing 777s flying from Singapore to Brisbane followed by Perth and then Adelaide from June.
They will also be used on Japan routes.
A ceremony to launch the Airbus delivery of the first of 19 estimated $US200 million ($A304.88 million) A330-300 aircraft to Singapore Airlines was held at the Airbus assembly plant in Toulouse last Wednesday.
It was not quite as big a sensation as the launch of the A380 and nowhere near as huge as Barack Obama's inauguration but still fairly big for both Airbus and Singapore Airlines, in what was described as troubled times for the travel and airline industries.
Although the twin-engined plane delivered to Singapore Airlines is brand new, the model itself has been around since the early 1990s and Airbus has won more than 1000 orders for the various versions of the aircraft. Its already been used by Qantas and Jetstar.
But this version offers more comfort for passengers, according to Singapore Airlines.
The 285-seat planes offer wider seats, and more knee and leg room in economy as well as wide entertainment screens, special compartments to hold eye glasses and private reading lights, and overhead bins described as big and practical.
But the world first is the iphone and ipod connectivity in every seat in business and economy classes.
In business class the leather seats are similar to the ones on the A380, and can be made to lie flat.
Singapore Airlines was the first airline to fly the A380, the largest aeroplane in the world, in October 2007. This time the A330 will be used in Australia on Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide to Singapore routes known as medium haul starting from March, replacing the Boeing 777s.
The next big leap in aviation is the development of the A350 by Airbus which wont be ready for at least two years.
The A330s will gradually be replaced by A350s when they are available.
Mr Mak Swee Wah, executive vice president, operations and services, Singapore Airlines, said although the travel industry faces uncertain economic conditions the airline remains optimistic about the future.
In the longer term we remain optimistic there will be growth in business and economy classes he said.
Once economic growth returns business will continue to be strong.
The A330-300 was acquired under a lease agreement with Dublin-based AWAS, and is powered by Rolls Royce Trent 700 engines.
AAP
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