1.3 Basis for Differentiation
The airline industry is a service industry. Service is provided by people; hence the
basis for differentiation in the airline industry is the way the company’s employees
treat customers. SIA stewardesses are dressed in an elegantly crafted Malay
sarong kebaya, designed by famous fashion house, Pierre Balmain (Chan, 2002a).
Passengers are treated to excellent food, served with lots of smiles, warm towels,
and attention to details. The airline provides all passengers, regardless of class,
with cocktails, fine wines, and in-flight movies at no extra charge. In fact, SIA
pioneered all these “frills,” which were followed by other airlines of the East (MAS
for example).
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has also introduced the innovative new Raffles
Class SpaceBed. The ground-breaking new forward facing bed (measuring 78” x
27”) provides first-time luxury and comfort, ensuring that passengers wake up at
their destination feeling refreshed and ready to go (Anon, 2005).