Singapore Airlines executives and top agents in Hobbiton: Aileen Adalid, Camille Pacis (Singapore Airlines), Aileen Clemente (Rajah Travel Corp.), Helen Carillo (ISS GMT), Sylvia Sangco (Philscan Travel & Tours), Carolita Ang (Pan Pacific Travel Corp.), Norma Cacho (North Star International Travel), Angeline Cua (Horizon Travel & Tours), Jackylyn Cajilig (Las Palmas Tours & Travel Agency), Ella Salita (Singapore Airlines), Girlie Gonzales (ATPI Instone Phils.), Cecilia Villejo (HRG Philippines), and Kat Bucsit (Singapore Airlines). Photo: Cheche V. Moral

Traveling to New Zealand from the Philippines is now easier, with expedited visa applications for Singapore Airlines’ frequent flyers.

Following an additional service to New Zealand with the recent launch of its flight to Wellington, the charming, windy capital with less than half a million people, SIA is making it easier for PPS Club, KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Elite Silver passengers to get a visitor’s visa in four days (online) and five days (visa center).

Applications usually take up to 15 days processing time.

The expedited process only applies to tourists including those visiting friends or relatives; or business, for stays no longer than three months.

Singapore Airlines (singaporeair.com) recently launched its Singapore-Wellington route, in addition to its regular flights to Auckland and Christchurch. Its local partner is Air New Zealand, which links its travelers to domestic destinations. (Airfare starts at $1,079, with add-on rates for domestic destinations starting at $60. SIA has daily connections to Auckland and Christchurch, and four times daily to Wellington.)

This Lobster Thermidor comes from an extensive, top-quality menu from SQ's Book the Chef service, which allows passengers on first and business class to choose their meals 24 hours before a flight. — This Lobster Thermidor comes from an extensive, top-quality menu from SQ’s Book the Chef service, which allows passengers on first and business classes to choose their meals 24 hours before a flight.

On a recent media tour of New Zealand’s North Island with Singapore Airlines’ top agents and executives, we flew from Singapore to Auckland in one of the new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. (See related story.)

The new-generation business class cabin features the 1-2-1 configuration, with seats that pull out to a fully flat bed, and two new comfortable lounging positions.

On this leg, we also got to try SIA’s unique Book the Cook feature: we ordered our meals a day ahead of the flight, from a topnotch menu designed by international chefs, with a fine selection of wines.

The return flight from Wellington makes a brief stop in Canberra, Australia. SIA is the first airline with flights between the two capitals, and it’s one of its newest routes. —CHECHE V. MORAL