1991 review of Singapore Airlines First Class and Business Class and British Aerospace pitches the BaE ATP to Mount Cook Airline

 

It is an advertising supplement, but Nigel Coventry does give a written window into flying Singapore Airlines in first class in 1991 from Christchurch to Singapore via Auckland ( by 747). He talks about the entertainment system (quite an innovation at the time), the elaborate lunch and subsequent light meal service.  10 people were flying in the 16 seat cabin, business class and economy both almost full.  His review of business class was that seating was smaller, with less choice of meals.  The Singapore Airlines 747-400s were configured with 24 first class, 70 business class and 316 economy class seats, at a time when business class was like today's premium economy, and first class a very large recliner.  He ends the review noting the 1929 cognac served at S$145 a nip in first class.

Separately the image is the 64 seat BAe ATP aircraft on a sales tour which included New Zealand, as British Aerospace pitches for a replacement to the HS 748 for Mount Cook Airline.  The ATP was not a commercial success for BAe, with only 65 built, due to intense competition with Fokker, Bombardier and ATR (ultimately ATR 72s replaced the HS748s).