Singapore Airlines (SIA) is set to provide exclusive first-class treatment for a very special passenger on January 16 – none other than Singapore-born giant panda cub Le Le, embarking on his inaugural journey abroad.
Le Le will receive royal treatment from start to finish. He’ll be chauffeured to the airport and enjoy a personalized boarding process via his own entrance. During the flight from Singapore to Chengdu, he’ll have the entire aircraft to himself, attended by a dedicated crew of three.
As part of Chinese panda loan agreements, cubs born outside China are typically returned when they reach two years old. Le Le bid farewell to the Pavilion Capital Giant Panda Forest at River Wonders on December 13, 2023, and has been in quarantine since December 14.
To ensure his comfort during travel, Le Le will be transported in a custom-built crate on a temperature-controlled truck from Mandai to Changi Airport. The crate, measuring 1.7m long, 1.1m wide, and 1.3m high, took two weeks to construct and will serve as his “seat” during the 4½-hour flight on a Boeing 747-400F freighter.
Panda keepers have been conditioning Le Le to voluntarily enter the crate using food rewards, ensuring a smooth transition for him.
Upon arrival at the airport, Le Le’s crate will be loaded onto a pallet and then onto the main deck of the plane. The pallet will be secured to minimize movement during the flight.
While Le Le won’t have SIA cabin crew attending to him, he’ll be accompanied by personnel from Mandai Wildlife Group and a veterinarian, ensuring his well-being throughout the journey.
The ambient cabin temperature will be maintained between 12°C and 16°C, mimicking Le Le’s habitat temperature. His in-flight meal will consist of up to 50kg of his favorite foods, including bamboo, bamboo shoots, apples, carrots, and pellets.
The meticulous planning for Le Le’s flight includes pre-cooling the aircraft, careful loading and strapping of his crate, and ensuring a gentle takeoff and landing to maximize his comfort.
After landing in Chengdu, two SIA loadmasters will welcome Le Le and oversee his on-ground handling, ensuring a seamless transition to his next mode of transport.
Upon arrival in Huaying, Guang’an City, Sichuan province, Le Le will be taken to a quarantine facility.
Captain Nithaar Zain, the chief pilot, expressed his wishes for Le Le’s new home and encouraged him to make new friends. The entire journey reflects SIA’s commitment to providing exceptional care for its special passenger.
