Singapore Airlines is rolling out new in-flight seating, dining and entertainment options as part of an investment of more than S$2 billion ($1.6 billion) to compete with rivals around the world.
Cornerstone of this investment: new premium cabin seats for its long-haul flights, which will gradually appear on long-haul and ultra-long-haul Airbus A350 aircraft by mid-2027.
First class seats will be equipped with 32-inch 4K high-definition displays, Bang and Olufsen noise-cancelling headphones and options allowing passengers to reserve a double bed and face-to-face dining configurations.
The new first class seats will feature a configuration where traveling companions can choose to dine face to face if their seats are next to each other.
Singapore Airlines
Business class seats will feature 22-inch 4K displays, wireless charging and Bluetooth audio connectivity.
First class seats can also be converted into a double bed in adjacent seats. SIA claims it is the largest double bed in commercial aviation
Singapore Airlines
These A350 upgrades also come as SIA grapples with a long-running delay in the delivery of the new Boeing 777-9 jets, which were due to arrive in 2021, and now faces uncertainty over when it will take delivery of the aircraft.
These products will also debut with the 777-9 aircraft when they enter service with SIA.
Minor refreshments will be added to other classes, such as an extra inch of recline space in premium economy cabins and new upholstery in economy. Both will also feature new 4K seatback entertainment monitors, but the new features for economy and premium seats will only be available on the upcoming 777-9 aircraft.
SIA’s new business class seats. The seats can be designed together or separately in alternating rows.
Singapore Airlines
Speaking at a press conference on November 4, Lee Lik Hsin, SIA’s chief commercial officer, said the decision to bring these products to the A350 was due to 777-9 delays.
Boeing had announced in its third quarter results that it would not deliver the first 777-9 aircraft to customers until 2027. It is unclear whether SIA is a launch customer.
Economy class seats on the 777-9 will benefit from new 4K seatback monitors, as well as a “next generation” Krisworld
Singapore Airlines
Asked about the delivery schedule during the full-year results presentation in May this year, SIA chief operating officer Tan Kai Ping said it was a “long-delayed programme” and would not form part of SIA’s fleet in the current financial year ending March 2027.
“Fingers crossed that this will manifest itself in the next financial year,” Tan said.
The announcement comes as SIA was named the world’s best airline for 2026 by Skytrax and won the title of world’s best economy class. However, it lost in the Business Class category to Middle East carrier Qatar Airways and in the First Class category to Air France.
Earlier this year, the airline announced that it would introduce Starlink on almost all of its Airbus aircraft, except the medium-haul A350 variant, from the first quarter of 2027. This would represent around half of its current fleet.
In September, SIA also unveiled a new onboard dining experience, adding new menus and beverage offerings for all classes, as well as offering custom-designed Christofle services for its premium cabins.
New branded amenity kits have also been announced for Business and First class travelers, Sisley in First and BYREDO in Business respectively. Sleepwear will also be available for business class passengers, a first for the airline.
The double bed measures 79 inches in length and up to 24 inches in width. Some center seats can be configured as companion beds when the dividers are lowered, allowing customers traveling together to share space.
Singapore Airlines
The changes also come with a separate S$130 million investment to refurbish its Silverkris Lounges and an “end-to-end” experience that starts curbside at Singapore Changi Airport for suite and first class passengers, including a priority immigration and security clearance concierge service, and a buggy transfer service.
— CNBC’s Monica Pitrelli contributed to this report.
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