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Singapore Airlines is bringing first class to the world's longest flights

Sean CudahySenior Aviation Reporter
Sean Cudahy is an aviation reporter covering news about airlines, frequent flyer programs and consumer travel issues.

November 4, 2024 • 5 min read

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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.

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.

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.

JOAN VALLS/URBANANDSPORTS/NURPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

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.

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).

The Jewel at Singpaore Changi Airport — SUHAIMI ABDULLAH/GETTY IMAGES

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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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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