On Monday, January 16th, Singapore Airlines began A380 service from New York’s JFK airport to Frankfurt and on to Singapore.

I was lucky to be one of the invited guests on board.

Pre-boarding festivities include a full spread of food and refreshments for passengers in the gate area, the opportunity to get a photo taken with a trio of Singapore Airlines flight attendants, speeches and a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Passengers boarding the flight even got a welcome-aboard present that included a box of chocolates.

What’s the big deal with this plane and this route? Beyond the fact that Singapore Airlines now offers (almost) around-the-world service via A380 (JFK-Frankfurt-Singapore-Tokyo-LA), this version of the world’s largest commercial aircraft also has two double suites: private cabins equipped with double beds for two passengers.

There are single suites as well, and while I didn’t get to travel in a suite, I did get to pass by them and noticed that, like many hotels, each suite has a card letting the customer know the name of the person who prepared their night’s lodging.