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The Singapore Flyer at Dusk. Photo by David on

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer is an observation wheel Located in the downtown core district of Singapore. It was officially opened in May or April 2008.

It was first invented in the early 2000s by Patrick MacMahon of Melchers Project Management. A subsidiary of German company Melchers.

The formal planning of the flyer was initiated in 2002. Singapore Flyer Pte limited was formed as the developer. The Melchers project Management was holding a 75% stake. The rest was held by Orient and Pacific Management.

The flyer has 28 air-conditioned capsules. Each can accommodate 28 passengers. The height is 178 metres.

The flyer comprises a giant observation wheel 150 metres in diameter sitting a stride. It incorporates a three-story terminal building.

The flyer has made numerous appearances in media and popular culture that features Singapore. It was the world’s tallest Ferries wheel until the 167.6 metres High Roller.

Let’s learn more interesting facts about the Singapore Flyer:

1. Singapore’s Flyer Structural Engineer had Experience Building Wheel like this

Singapore Flyer, Singapore. Photo by Dietmar Rabich on

The Singapore Flyer was first conceived in the early 2000s by Patrick MacMahon of Melchers Project Management. The planning started in 2003.

On 27th June 2003, the project was formally announced and endorsed by the Singapore Tourism Board. In July 2003, Jones Land LaSalle was appointed as the real estate advisor.

Tekenaka and Mitsubishi companies were appointed as the main contractors. A global British Firm Arup was appointed as the structural engineer.

The structural engineering company was already familiar with building Ferris wheels. The company oversaw the construction of the London eye.

2. Singapore Flyer took Two and Half Years to Complete this Remarkable Landmark

Singapore Flyer at night. Photo by Nepenthes on

After the plan was approved and a company named Singapore Flyer Pte Ltd. The company leased the plot of the land where the structure was to be built.

The construction of the landmark started in 2005 due to some delays. However, the construction was completed in 2008. The construction period was two and a half years.

3. Singapore Flyer location is at the Downcore of Singapore

Singapore Flyer, Singapore. Photo by Dietmar Rabich on

The flyer is located at the Downtown core of the Island city- The state of Singapore in Southeast Asia. This is the central area of the city which also features the historical city centre.

Due to its central location, it provides the most amazing views possible of the Singapore skyline and its other amazing landmarks.

4. Singapore Flyer was the Tallest Ferris Wheel in the World upon Completion

Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the bay at night, Singapore. Photo by Devender Goyal on

After the completion of the flyer in 2008. It was ranked as the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. The flyer has a total height of 165 meters (541 feet).

The Singapore Flyer has a diameter of 150 meters(492 feet). It was built on a plot of land of 33,700 square meters ( 362,700 square feet) along the marina promenade.

However, it was surpassed by the High Roller in Las Vegas in 2014. The higher Roller is Nevada and 2.6 meters (9 feet) taller than Singapore Flyer. It has a height of 167.6 meters (550 feet).

5. The Flyer’s Capsules have Something Special

Singapore Flyer, Singapore. Photo by Dietmar Rabich on

The wheel has a total of 28 air-conditioned capsules. Each capsule has a floor of 280 square feet. One of them holds up to 28 passengers.

Moreover, one capsule is capable of holding five wheelchairs and 15 other visitors. This is when it is booked in advance for use of the disabled guests.

The capsules are attached outside of the rim of the wheel. Thus visitors get to enjoy a 369-degree view of the surrounding vista. Each capsule has a bench where visitors sit.

6. A Round Trip of the Singapore Flyer Takes over Half an Hour

Singapore Flyer, Singapore. Photo by Zairon on

A ride of the Singapore Flyer consists of one round. The trip takes about 32 minutes for the flyer to complete the revolution.

It revolves slowly to enable visitors to have plenty of viewing the beautiful surroundings and take magnificent pictures.

7. Singapore Flyer First Tickets were Sold at a Particular Amount of Money

When the flyer was opened in 2008. Several occasions were used to promote the wheel. The first public rides were held on Valentine’s day of 2008.

During the Chinese New year, corporate inaugural flights were held from 11 to 13 February. The soft launch was on 1 March.

However, tickets were sold out for S$ 8,888. This is an auspicious number in Eastern Culture.

8. The Initial Rotation of the Flyer was Reversed

The Singapore Flyer’s initial rotation was counter-clockwise direction. This is when viewed from the marina centre. However, on 4 August 2008, it was reversed on the advice of Feng shui Masters.

9. The Flyer Has Made Numerous Appearance in Media and Popular Culture that Features Singapore

Singapore Flyer, Singapore. Photo by Zairon on

The flyer has appeared in several movies and on television. The Bloomberg Television series High Flyers is filmed in one of the flyer’s capsules.

The flyer also made an appearance in the 2018 film. The Crazy Rich Asians film. That is based on the Novel of the Same Name by Kevin Kwan.

The flyer was featured in two Detective Conan Films. Once in the 2016 film, The Darkest Nightmares. Another is in the 2019 film The Fist of Blue Sapphire.

Additionally, the flyer was featured in a task on the sixteenth season of the American reality show, The Amazing Race. It was as well as featured during the finale of the first season of the Australian variant, The Amazing Race Australia.

The flyer was featured and visited by the South Korean band Twice. This was during their Twice Tv series when they were in Singapore.

10. The future of the Wheel was Saved by Two Singapore Companies

Formula One 2014 Rd.14 Singapore GP: Singapore Flyer. Photo by Morio on

The flyer faced embezzlement and financial issues with the now-defunct predecessor company, Great wheel corporation. However, on August 28, 2014, two Singapore-based companies saved the future of the wheel.

Straco Leisure Pte ltd acquired 90%. This an entertainment company that operates attractions in china.

The second company is WTS leisure Pte. Ltd. Which acquired 10%. It is a successful tour bus operator in Singapore.

The Singapore Flyer building has some other amenities that visitors may enjoy. There are food outlets and restaurants in the building. Other activities to do at the building include Rainforest Discovery, a garden and a 6-D ride.