Hundreds of aviation fans flocked Saturday to makeshift restaurants set up by Singapore Airlines in two planes perched on the tarmac, and enjoyed eating in the passenger seats as they watched movies on the small screens installed in front of them, as if it were on one of the flights. "The old days".
In light of the major crisis facing the travel sector due to the Covid-19 pandemic, airlines have come up with ideas to make money, including "trips to nowhere" or visits to planes.
Singapore Airlines, which has laid off thousands of employees and most of its planes are still parked on the tarmac, has made the opportunity for its passengers to dine in two A380s, the world's largest commercial airliner.
More than 400 people booked their seats on Saturday, completed the steps of registering their names at Changi Airport, then went through the usual security procedures before flights, and boarded the plane to enjoy the promised banquet.
As Zhou Tai Dee, a 17-year-old major in economics, was scooping chicken with soy sauce, fried eggplant and rice, he said, "The quality of the food is incredible, and it's better than what is served on real trips."
While waiting for the expected meal to arrive, some may take a nap, while others watch a movie on the screen integrated into the seat in front of it.
About half of the seats on the plane were left vacant, in compliance with social distancing measures.
Calvin Teo, a 29-year-old employee who loves to fly, did not hesitate to pay $ 321 ($ 236) for a six-course assortment served in the business cabin.
The young man admitted that he was eager to travel by plane, stressing his willingness to repeat the experience.
"There is no doubt that the feeling of actual flying is better because it involves the excitement of traveling to a new destination and discovering it. Since we cannot live this experience now due to the pandemic, this solution is a good alternative to stimulate the sensations of travel," he told AFP.
The higher-priced version is a combination of 8 dishes served in the first class cabin for $ 642 ($ 473), while the lowest price allows you to get 3 dishes in the economy class cabin for $ 53 ($ 39).
A limited number of guests had the opportunity to visit the two-layer sections of the plane and take selfies in the cockpit with the pilots.
These meals are highly popular, and the company announced - in light of the high volume of demand - the organization of 6 additional "trips" after it sold more than 900 tickets in less than half an hour.
Singapore Airlines also provides home delivery of meals for airplanes, but it has dismissed projects to organize "flights to nowhere", which are short flights that take off and land at the same airport, due to an uproar over their environmental impact.