Work does not have to cease at 30,000 feet in the skies.

With Singapore Airlines' (SIA) new KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system, business-minded travellers will literally have a mobile office in the air.

Available on SIA's Boeing B777-300ER and the upcoming Airbus A380 aircraft, the new KrisWorld will offer a comprehensive suite of office tools using Sun Microsystem's StarOffice platform, which includes spreadsheet, presentation, and word processing.

USB ports will be provided at every seat so passengers can easily access, edit and save their documents and files without a need to use their laptops.

Those concerned with issues of privacy will be assured to know that all data stored temporarily will be cleared at the end of each flight.

In addition to the office programmes, the new KrisWorld will also boast a Live Text News service which is updated hourly via satellite. Executive Book Summaries - a "cliff notes" application of over a 100 business books, and Culture Quest - an interactive learning tool of cross-cultural tips for doing business, rounds up the collection.

For a more conducive working environment, First and Business Class customers can use the SIA's new noise reduction headsets and First Class flyers have the flexibility to adjust their meal timings to work more effectively.

If all work and no play kills the pleasure of flying, tune in to KrisWorld which is replete with a wide selection of movies, TV programmes, interactive games and an audio CD library to help the traveller unwind.

Of course, with the "widest First and Business Class seats in the industry" which are transformable into fully-flat beds, SIA passengers may just find sleep the more attractive option to either work or play.

Photo: Singapore Airlines