Singapore Airlines plans to upgrade the Airbus A350 cabin, with a new first-class cabin
Singapore Airlines is planning major cabin upgrades for its fleet of long-range Airbus A350 jets, including new first-class cabins that will one day be offered on the world’s longest air routes.
On Monday, Singapore announced a $1.1 billion cabin retrofit program for its A350-900 fleet – including both long-haul and ultra-long-haul aircraft.
The work includes refreshed premium economy and coach cabins, all-new business class concepts and – on the jets that fly the furthest – new first-class services. Together, the work will set “new industry standards for travel on the world’s longest routes,” the carrier said in a statement Monday.
It will also up the game for an airline that has long offered an in-flight product that ranks among the best in the world.
Singapore’s plan to retrofit A350-900 aircraft
As part of the changes, Singapore plans to equip its seven ultra-long-haul A350-900s with a new first-class cabin, “designed for increasingly discerning travellers”. This is a clear move in response to the strong demand for premium travel experiences reported across the industry.
The airline released “top notch” renderings on Monday that show a pretty big footprint for the new seating concept – it’s clear that Singapore is taking on the private room concept that airlines are increasingly promoting. increasingly deployed to their most premium seats.
However, we’ll have to wait until closer to launch to really get an in-depth look at the airline’s new first class cabin.
Singapore operates the A350-900ULR on its longest routes, including the longest flights in the world today from Singapore to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). That means you’ll see the new first class concept and upgraded cabins on those flights in the coming years.
The addition of first class is not entirely new to Singapore. Today, you can book “F” tickets on flights on the airline’s Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
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Refresh business class
Meanwhile, as part of the retrofit, Singapore will also introduce an all-new business class product on its long-haul and ultra-long-haul A350 aircraft. The limited view the firm offers of the new seats shows sliding privacy doors as part of the suite concept.
Singapore notes that these products will reflect the future design of the upcoming Boeing 777-9 jets it has ordered – although Boeing’s new 777X family continues to face with lengthy production delays.
Singapore Chief Executive Goh Choon Phong said in a statement on Monday: “The new First and Business Class seat designs will incorporate thoughtful elements that push the boundaries of comfort, luxury and modern, allowing our customers to relax or work easily on board.”
Read more: How does the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer waitlist work for award flights?
Premium Economy and Coach
It’s not just premium cabins that are being upgraded as part of Singapore’s multi-billion dollar program.
The carrier also plans to “refresh” its economy and premium economy cabins.
Across the entire plane, customers will have access to an updated KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system with better personalization options, the carrier said – and it will offer completely new screens. All new in first class and business class.
The retrofitted A350-900 long-haul jets will have 42 Business Class seats and 24 Premium Economy Class seats, on par with today’s cabin configurations.
However, this long-haul aircraft will have four first-class suites, 70 business class seats and 58 seats in premium economy. Today’s ULR jets have 67 business cabins and 94 premium economy seats.
Read more: Singapore KrisFlyer: The ultimate guide to earning, redeeming rewards and elite status
Bottom line
Don’t expect to see these new seats right away.
Singapore expects the first long-haul A350 to enter service in mid-2026. The airline said the first ultra-long-haul A350 with upgraded cabin will enter service in early 2027. The company hopes to complete the entire retrofit program by the end of 2030.
Singapore currently operates direct flights to the United States from its hub at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to four US airports: JFK, Newark, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Intl. Los Angeles (LAX).
You can also catch Singapore’s fifth freedom flight from JFK to Frankfurt; from LAX to Tokyo’s Narita Airport (NRT); And – until April — from Houston to Manchester, England. The following service ends on April 1, when Singapore will leave the Houston market whole.
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