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First Look: Singapore Airlines' Great New Regional Business Class

March 28, 2018
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3 min read
Singapore 787-10 Dreamliner Tour
First Look: Singapore Airlines' Great New Regional Business Class
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This is a big day for Singapore Airlines. The carrier's brand-new Dreamliner just landed at Changi Airport (SIN) — it's the world's first extended-length 787-10, and it's the first plane to offer Singapore's new regional business-class product, which, by the way, looks pretty fantastic.

While SQ has offered lie-flat business-class seats for more than a decade, the carrier's older regional planes — namely its Boeing 777-200s and Airbus A330s — have dated angle-flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration. It's a far cry from Singapore's latest business seat, now flying on the Airbus A380:

And while I really do think that's a great seat, as I explained in my recent A380 review, I was surprised to discover that I like the airline's new regional business-class setup even more.

This seat, Stelia Aerospace's "Opal" model, will be offered exclusively on Singapore's 49 787-10 Dreamliners, which will be delivered by Boeing over the next few years.

Singapore 787-10 Dreamliner Tour

Each 787-10 has a total of 301 economy seats and 36 business-class seats, arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration.

Window seats alternate between window- and aisle-facing — seats in rows 12, 15, 17 and 19 are the ones to pick, since they offer a bit more privacy.

All seats measure 20 inches wide when upright, or a total of 26 inches in lie-flat mode with the armrests down.

Unlike with Singapore's long-haul business-class products, all seats on the 787-10 offer large footwells, so you won't need to sleep at an angle.

While the seat might look a bit narrow, 6-foot-7-inch TPG managed to fit just fine.

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Singapore plans to take delivery of 49 of these 787-10s, and the carrier has announced two routes so far. The new Dreamliner will launch with regular service to Osaka (KIX) and Perth (PER) in May, though you may see it pop up on staff familiarization flights to Bangkok (BKK) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL) before then.

Stay tuned to @thepointsguy’s Instagram and Twitter pages, along with TPG’s own Instagram and my Instagram and Twitter for a closer look at the airline’s brand-new 1-2-1 regional business-class product and our delivery flight to Singapore.

All photos by Zach Honig.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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4XEarn 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.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

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.