Qantas announced that it has added two dishes from a beloved Singapore restaurant to its airport lounges, preserving a culinary connection that dates back decades and honoring a family business that quietly became part of the airline’s history.
Wing Seong Fatty’s, which closed on June 28, 2026, after 100 years of operation, had long been a gathering spot for Qantas pilots and cabin crew passing through Singapore.
The restaurant’s crispy spring rolls will now be served in the Qantas First Lounge at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), while its nuclear chicken will be available in the Business Lounge.
A history rooted in kindness
The restaurant’s connection to Australian aviators began during World War Two. Founder Au Yuen and his son Au Chan Seng, known affectionately as “Fatty” for his stout build, quietly fed prisoners of war at personal risk. As word of their kindness spread among Australian servicemen and Royal Australian Air Force pilots, Fatty’s became a place crews sought out and returned to for generations.
For Qantas pilots flying the Kangaroo Route through Singapore, the restaurant became a familiar stop at the end of a long flight, a place where the welcome never changed.
Carrying the tradition forward
When the Au family announced the restaurant would close, Qantas worked with them to bring the dishes to its lounges as a way of keeping something of Fatty’s alive.
Nick McGlynn, Qantas’ Executive Vice President for Asia, said the restaurant has been woven into the airline’s presence in Singapore since the early days.
“Fatty’s has been more than just a restaurant. It’s been part of the Qantas story in Singapore for decades,” McGlynn said. “Showcasing their dishes in our lounges is our way of honoring a place that has shaped the experience of flying through this city for generations.”
The recipes were passed down to Qantas chefs by Skinny, the 75-year-old third-generation custodian of the restaurant, along with his brother Kelvin, the wider family, and the restaurant team.
A century of service
Wing Seong Restaurant was founded in 1926 on Albert Street by Au Yuen. The family relocated to Albert Complex in 1987 and moved to Burlington Square in 1999.
In a letter to customers, the family said the decision to close came after much consideration, as the shareholders and management are advancing in age and the younger generation have pursued other careers.
Qantas Chief Pilot Dick Tobiano said Fatty’s held a special place in the hearts of many crew members.
“For generations of Qantas pilots, Fatty’s has been far more than a restaurant. It’s been part of our shared experience, a place where crew from different bases and fleets come together to share the same table,” Tobiano said. “We’re very grateful to the Au family and their friendship over the years, and on behalf of Qantas we wish them a well-earned retirement.”