Singapore Airlines is bringing first class to the world's longest flights
Singapore Airlines is planning a major cabin face-lift for its fleet of long-range Airbus A350 jets, including a new first-class cabin that will someday be offered on the world's longest airline routes.
On Monday, Singapore announced a major cabin retrofit program for its A350-900 fleet — covering both its long-haul and ultra-long-haul aircraft.
The work includes refreshed coach and premium economy cabins, all-new business-class concepts, and — on its farthest-flying jets — new first-class offerings. Together, the work will set “new industry benchmarks for travel on the world’s longest routes,” the carrier said in a statement Monday.
It’ll also up the game for an airline that’s long offered an inflight product that ranks among the world’s best.
Singapore's A350-900 retrofit plans
As part of the changes, Singapore plans to outfit its seven ultra-long-haul A350-900s with a new first-class cabin, “designed with increasingly discerning travellers in mind.” It's a clear move to pick up on a strong demand for premium travel experiences that has been reported across the industry.
The carrier released renderings Monday that show a sizable footprint for the new seat concept — it's clearly Singapore's take on the private suite concept airlines are increasingly deploying for their highest-end seats.
But we’ll have to wait until closer to the product launch to truly get a look at the bells and whistles of the airline’s new first class.
Singapore operates its A350-900ULR on its longest routes, including the current longest flights in the world 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 cabin, on those flights in the coming years.
Adding a first-class cabin isn't entirely novel for Singapore. Today, you can book an "F" ticket on flights aboard its Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
Read more: Redeem your points and miles: How to search flight award availability for the major airlines
Business-class refresh
Meanwhile, as part of the retrofits, Singapore will also unveil an all-new business-class product on its long-haul and ultra-long-haul A350s. The limited glimpse the carrier offered of the new seats showed sliding privacy doors as part of the suite concept.
Singapore notes these products will mirror the future design on its upcoming Boeing 777-9 jets it has on order — though Boeing’s new 777X-family aircraft continue to face lengthy production delays.
“The new First Class and Business Class seat designs will incorporate thoughtful elements that push the boundaries of comfort, luxury, and modernity, allowing our customers to relax or work effortlessly on board,” Singapore CEO Goh Choon Phong said in a statement Monday.
Read more: How does Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer waitlist work for award flights?
Premium economy and coach
It’s not just the high-end cabins getting an upgrade as part of Singapore's retrofit program, valued at 1.1 billion Singapore dollars (about $834 million USD).
The carrier plans to “refresh” its premium economy and economy cabins, too.
Throughout the aircraft, customers will have access to an updated KrisWorld inflight entertainment system with greater personalization options, the carrier said — and it’ll offer all-new screens in the first- and business-class sections.
Retrofitted A350-900 long-haul jets will end up with 42 business-class seats and 24 premium economy seats, on par with today’s cabin configurations.
However, the ultra-long-haul aircraft will boast four first-class suites, 70 business-class seats and 58 seats in premium economy. Today’s ULR jets feature 67 business pods and 94 premium economy seats.
Read more: Singapore KrisFlyer: Ultimate guide to earning, redeeming and elite status
Bottom line
Don’t expect to see these new seats immediately.
Singapore expects its first long-haul A350 will enter service in mid-2026. Its first ultra-long-haul A350 with the upgraded cabin should arrive in service by early 2027, the carrier said. The airline hopes to complete the entire retrofit program by the end of 2030.
Singapore currently operates nonstop flights to the U.S. from its hub at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to five U.S. airports: JFK, Newark, San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
You can also catch a Singapore fifth-freedom flight from JFK to Frankfurt Airport (FRA), from LAX to Tokyo’s Narita Airport (NRT), and — until April — from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Manchester Airport (MAN) in England. The latter service ends April 1, when Singapore will exit the Houston market altogether.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.