Meal services on Singapore Airlines (SIA) flights will no longer be suspended automatically when the seat-belt sign lights up, unless pilots deem it necessary, as reported in The Straits Times.
SIA has reverted to standard in-flight procedures 10 weeks after the turbulence incident on Flight SQ321 from London to Singapore. An SIA spokesperson told The Straits Times that the airline on Aug 1 ended a safety time-out that was imposed after this incident on May 21.
This means hot beverages, including soup, will continue to not be served when the seat-belt sign is switched on, but the rest of the meal and drink service can carry on at the discretion of the crew. This was not the case under the tighter rules.
Under the stricter protocols, cabin crew also had to take their seats and fasten their seat belts when the seat-belt sign was lit. Now, the pilots may ask cabin crew to return to their seats and suspend service, where necessary.
The carrier said its pilots will continue to decide whether to suspend or continue with in-flight service, depending on their assessment of weather and operational conditions.
Reports about the modified service routines came out on May 23, two days after the flight experienced sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy Basin in Myanmar during breakfast service.
Following the incident, SIA said stricter safety measures were taken as a precaution, and gave the company time to thoroughly review its turbulence management protocols, which it has verified to be in line with industry best practices.
Over the last four weeks, all the airline’s pilots and cabin crew have undergone additional refresher courses to reinforce these procedures, covering topics like how to recognise and handle risks associated with turbulence and how to assist passengers in such instances.
SIA said it also took the chance to find ways to improve safety on board its flights. Periodic reminders to passengers are now issued via the in-flight entertainment system screens to reinforce the importance of keeping their seat belts fastened while seated.
“Customers should always follow the instructions of our pilots and cabin crew, and keep their seat belts fastened while seated at all times,” the airline said.
The Straits Times reported previously that the stricter procedures imposed after the SQ321 incident had an impact on the carrier’s service offerings and drove up stress levels for cabin crew.
On a full flight in economy class, meal service can take one to two hours to complete, barring any disruptions. Long-haul flights tend to have at least two meals served on board – one shortly after take-off, and one around two-and-a-half to three hours before landing.
