Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced a new partnership with established US Californian health, wellness and destination spa resort Golden Door – the facility founded in 1958 by industry veteran Deborah Szekely.

Golden Door experts – including top chefs, nutritionists and personal trainers – have developed a broad range of wellbeing options to help SIA passengers achieve improved nutrition, sleep, relaxation and energy levels aboard direct flights that can extend to nearly 19 hours.

“Now more than ever, our customers are focused on maximising wellness in every aspect of their lives,” said Yeoh Phee Teik, senior vice president of customer experience for SIA.

“This partnership is instrumental in finding practical, effective ways to extend the principles and practice of wellbeing to air travel.”

SIA has a history of committing to enriching the wellbeing of its passengers onboard, having also previously partnered with wellness brand Como Shambhala, as well as US destination wellness brand Canyon Ranch.

According to Kathy Van Ness, general manager and chief operating officer at Golden Door: “A healthier travel experience is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity.

“Bringing the Golden Door programme to a world-class airline like SIA will enable guests to arrive at their destination nurtured and refreshed."

Wellness at 36,000 feet

The first menus and content from the wellness partnership will launch aboard SQ37 from Los Angeles to Singapore – one of the world’s longest commercial flights – starting in January 2022.

The programme will be extended to additional SIA nonstop services from San Francisco and New York (JFK) to Singapore shortly thereafter.

The wellbeing options will focus on:

Nutrition and hydrationNew wellness menus will build on Golden Door chef Greg Frey Jr.’s philosophy that healthy dining can still be satisfying. The partnership is developing a broad range of starters, main courses and desserts for SIA nonstops which will be available in addition to SIA’s existing line of dishes.

Chef Frey has also devised specially designed wellness-focused beverages to enhance hydration and promote a sense of relaxation and rejuvenation within the drier environment of an aircraft cabin.

Mindful movement

Golden Door trainers are developing a range of small-scale, inflight exercises and stretches that passengers can conduct at their seats – in all classes of service – to increase circulation, enhance flexibility, and enhance alertness prior to arriving at a new destination.

Sleep secretsTo help passengers achieve a better night’s sleep when flying, Golden Door practitioners are sharing a range of experience-based techniques and approaches to help travellers maximise both the amount and quality of their sleep aboard SIA’s ultra-long-haul flights.