It’s been two years since Singapore Airlines began teasing all-new business- and first-class cabins, and nearly 10 years since the last time the airline unveiled a new generation of flagship products.
But, after much anticipation and a flurry of recent announcements about upgrades and refreshes to everything from the airline’s dining program and inflight meals and serviceware to its KrisWorld entertainment system and amenity kits, today we finally got to see what the new Singapore Airlines business- and first-class seats are like along with a preview of the new economy and premium economy seats coming to its Boeing 777-9s.
We joined a slew of international media for two days of announcements and executive interviews culminating in the big reveal at Marina Bay Sands.
The new products represent a multiyear investment of over 2 billion Singaporean dollars ($1.56 billion) in addition to the S$130 million ($102 million) the airline has spent renovating its SilverKris lounges around the world.
“This is our biggest investment in improving the customer travel experience,” said Siva Govindasamy, divisional vice president of public affairs, “because we’re not just talking about seat development. We’re talking about improvements in the customer service journey from end to end.”
The airline surveyed over 5,000 frequent flyers, incorporating their feedback on what they were looking for from the travel experience, what elements of Singapore Airlines’ current seats and service they liked, and what needed to evolve.
“Our development process has been shaped by extensive research and feedback to help us understand how our customers work, dine, relax, sleep and use technology in their journeys,” explained Lee Lik Hsin, Singapore Airlines’ chief commercial officer. “This launch represents a significant milestone, but not an end point,” he continued. “We are committed to continuously investing in our product and services and elevating the end-to-end customer journey.”
Here’s how, based on what we saw of the new seats and service elements, and all the fancy, industry-leading features in store for passengers.
Singapore Airlines’ new first class: Double beds and high-end finishes
Perhaps the most exciting announcement of the bunch was the unveiling of Singapore Airlines’ new long-haul first-class seats.
Designed by PriestmanGoode and manufactured by Collins Aerospace, these fixtures were initially slated for the airline’s upcoming order of Boeing 777-9s, but given the delays on those aircraft deliveries, Singapore is also installing them on its ultra-long-range subfleet of seven Airbus A350-900ULRs starting in the second half of 2027. This will be the first time the airline’s A350s have sported a first-class cabin.
The A350s will have just four of these seats on board in a 1-2-1 configuration at the very front of the plane. The 777-9s will eventually have six of them on board — two running down either side of the cabin and two in the center. They have 89 1/2 inches of pitch, giving them a fairly large footprint, though not as big as the Suites aboard the airline’s Airbus A380s. Singapore Airlines does not have plans to update the first-class cabins on board its Boeing 777-300s or A380s.
While the new side seats are cocoons unto themselves, the center seats were conceived as a shared experience for travel companions, who can lower the privacy divider and armrests to create a sort of sofa that then transforms into what the airline is dubbing the largest double bed in the sky, at 80 inches long and 60 inches wide.
In one of the lighter moments during the pre-reveal press conferences, one journalist asked Singapore’s Hsin how flight crew would address couples who might want to use the space inappropriately. Without missing a beat, Hsin replied, “We will address it,” prompting chuckles around the room. “We want every passenger to be able to enjoy the comfort that we have provided without disturbing the comfort and experience for any other customer.”
Back to the seat, though, it incorporates a cocktail tray for inflight aperitifs and wardrobe areas on the aisles where passengers can stow their clothes (after slipping into the airline’s new pajamas, of course…more on that below!). Those with a keen eye will also notice a subtle batik motif on the soft wall panels hearkening to the airline’s famous uniforms and branding.
The chairs are upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather, are 23 inches wide (30 with the armrests lowered) and recline to 80-inch lie-flat beds that flight attendants will make up with 100% cotton linens, a duvet and a selection of pillows, as well as a breathable new mattress topper from German luxury brand Paradies.
Passengers can adjust the various components of the seat including the arm and legrests, the ottoman and lumbar support as well as the lighting using the inflight entertainment system control and can create a profile so that their settings will carry over to their next flight.
The palette includes a mix of taupes, browns, silvers and warm terracotta-tinged accents meant to telegraph a feeling of luxury, harmony, privacy and warmth
Passengers can dine face to face thanks to large, sturdy tray tables and will find a wireless charging pad, USB-C ports and a universal AC power port to keep their devices charged. The 777-9 seats will have a USB-A port as well.
The storage areas include a slim personal wardrobe, a vanity drawer lined in leather and a small compartment for a cabin bag beneath the ottoman.
The inflight entertainment system is a 32-inch 4K touchscreen loaded with the airline’s KrisWorld content system. It will include an integrated touch panel display for flight information, destination weather, inflight Wi-Fi connectivity status and the availability of lavatories.
Passengers will be given Bang & Olufsen wireless headphones to use, but will also be able to connect to the entertainment system using their own Bluetooth headsets.
Overall, the new first-class seats are a big step forward from the first-class cabins you’ll find aboard the airline’s Boeing 777-300s and sit somewhere between those and the A380 Suites. Their look feels like an evolution of the palette and finishes of the Suites, with welcome tech updates that should keep travelers happy and connected.
Singapore Airlines’ new business class: Closing doors and memory settings
Lest you think first class is the biggest news, the airline also unveiled its all-new business-class seats, designed from the ground up in conjunction with seat manufacturer Recaro and BMW’s DesignWorks.
These seats will appear on the Boeing 777-9 and both the A350-900ULR and the long-haul A350-900 but not the airline’s medium-haul A350s. If you’re losing track, don’t worry, we have tables laying out the details below. We also got a few exclusive shots from a mockup cabin at Singapore Airlines’ headquarters the day before the official unveiling, which you can see below. Just note that they don’t have all the finishes and other details the final seats on board will have.
Catching up with the current airline industry trends, the airline has decided on suite-style pods with closing doors for privacy. The doors are decorated with a stylized “satellite” stencil, and you’ll see this pattern in the stitching on the leather seats as well.
“We wanted to bring an automotive-inspired seat and our knowledge from experiential design into the cabin,” explained BMW DesignWorks CEO Julia de Bono. Thus the seats feel like a mix between seats in a luxury sedan and a racecar with mineral gray-toned leather and bright yellow trim, meant to convey balance and stability on the one hand and energy and creativity on the other, according to de Bono.
The seats are laid out in a front-facing 1-2-1 pattern — this was a direct result of customer feedback, with frequent flyers telling airline executives that they wanted to move past an angled orientation, which could feel constraining at times.
The seats have 50 inches of pitch and are up to 24 inches wide and recline to 79-inch lie-flat beds — a departure from the current A350 lie-flats, which flight attendants have to flip over in order to get them into bed mode. Some center seats can be configured as double beds when the privacy dividers are lowered, which should be exciting for folks who tend to travel with a companion.
Passengers will also receive new padded seat covers with memory foam for cushioning and support.
The tray table placement and stowage — it pops out from under the entertainment screen and can be maneuvered flexibly — also allows the seat to have a larger ottoman, alleviating a common complaint about the airline’s current business-class seats.
Like the new first-class seats, these will allow passengers to create a profiled lighting settings are saved from flight to flight
They have 22-inch 4K touchscreen entertainment systems (20 inches on the 777-9) with Bluetooth pairing capability. Among the storage spaces are a small cubby that slides out from the chair-side seatback and a little cupboard next to the entertainment screen. Passengers will also find wireless charging pads, USB-C ports and universal power plugs.
New premium economy and economy: Just for the 777-9
Singapore Airlines worked with FactoryDesign and Collins Aerospace to create updated versions of its economy and premium economy seats specifically for the Boeing 777-9. There are currently no plans for these to be installed aboard the airline’s other jets.
The new premium economy seats have a swanky, contoured look with dark gray leather upholstery and vibrant orange accents. They will see their seat pitch increase from the 38 inches previous versions offer to 40 inches and they will get an extra inch of recline, rounding it up to nine instead of eight. They will be 19 inches wide and have adjustable leg and footrests plus adjustable headsets.
Their entertainment screens will be 16 inches wide with 4K resolution and Bluetooth pairing capability. The seats will also feature universal power plugs, USB-C ports and USB-A ports on some aircraft.
As for economy seating, these look a lot like current versions and are squeezed into a tight 3-4-3 layout, with just 17.6 inches of width per seat. Their screens get an upgrade to 13 inches and 4K resolution with Bluetooth pairing available. They will also have USB-C ports (and A versions on some aircraft) plus universal power plugs.
Singapore Airlines fleet retrofit plans
So how exactly are all these new seats going to get onto planes and when will passengers start seeing them? Here’s the plan.
Singapore Airlines currently has 58 Airbus A350s. Seventeen of those are configured for medium-haul and regional routes.
Of the remaining 41, 34 are long-range A350-900s with business class, premium economy and economy on board. These will be kitted out with new business class seats with the following adjusted seat numbers in each class. The process is expected to start in the second half of 2027 and to last through 2030.
A350-900
| Number of seats (old) | Number of seats (new) | Seat dimensions (old) | Seat dimensions (new) | Entertainment screen (old) | Entertainment screen (new) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| <b>Business class</b> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>42</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>42</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>28 inches wide x 78 inches long</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>22 inches wide x 79 inches long</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>18 inches</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>22 inches</span> |
| <b>Premium economy (same seats)</b> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>24</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>24</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>19 inches wide x 38 inches of pitch</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>19 inches wide x 38 inches of pitch (no change)</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>13.3 inches</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>13.3 inches (no change)</span> |
| <b>Economy (same seats)</b> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>187</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>192</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>18 inches wide x 32 inches of pitch</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>18 inches wide x 32 inches of pitch (no change)</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>11.1 inches</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>11.1 inches (no change)</span> |
The other seven A350s are the airline’s A350-900ULRs, which stands for Ultra-Long-Range, and which are deployed on the airline’s longest routes from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). These ULR jets will get a full overhaul with the new first- and business-class seats. The changes will reduce the plane’s overall seating capacity to 132, down from 161.
A350-900ULR
| Number of seats (old) | Number of seats (new) | Seat dimensions (old) | Seat dimensions (new) | Entertainment screen (old) | Entertainment screen (new) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| <b>First class</b> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>N/A</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>4</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>N/A</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>23 inches wide by 80 inches long</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>N/A</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>32 inches</span> |
| <b>Business class</b> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>67</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>70</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>28 inches wide x 78 inches long</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>22 inches wide x 79 inches long</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>18 inches</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>22 inches</span> |
| <b>Premium economy (same seats)</b> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>94</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>58</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>18 inches wide x 38 inches of pitch</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>18 inches wide x 38 inches of pitch (no change)</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>13.3 inches</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>13.3 inches (no change)</span> |
Boeing 777-9
All the seats on this jet will be new, but here’s how it breaks down.
| Number of seats | Configuration | Dimensions | Screen size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <b>First class</b> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>6</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>1-2-1</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>23 inches wide by 80 inches long</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>32 inches</span> |
| <b>Business class</b> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>54</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>1-2-1</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>24 inches wide by 79 inches long</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>20 inches</span> |
| <b>Premium economy</b> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>36</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>2-4-2</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>19 inches wide by 40 inches of pitch, 9 inches recline</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>16 inches</span> |
| <b>Economy</b> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>204</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>3-4-3</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>17.6 inches wide by 31-32 inches of pitch, 6 inches recline</span> | <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>13 inches</span> |
So the good news is that the majority of Singapore Airlines’ long-haul fleet will have new first- and business-class seats on them once this retrofit is complete and the 777-9s are in service. The bad news is that we don’t know how long that will take, exactly, and we don’t know what routes will see the new seats first.
In the meantime, here are some of the other fun things the airline has cooking up. Quite literally, in some cases.
Dining enhancements
As if new seats weren’t enough, Singapore Airlines is making major updates to its meal service as well.
The airline is already well-known for offering a “Book the Cook” meal preorder service with dozens of dishes available to flyers in Suites, first, business and premium economy, but there are about to be a lot more options.
The airline is touting over 100 new and refreshed dishes on offer, including appetizers, mains and desserts, which will be introduced across all four classes of service under a new category titled “SIA Chefs’ Selection” developed by the airline’s partner guest chefs, who include Monica Galetti, Nandu Jubany, Sanjeev Kapoor, Sid Sahrawat, Yoshihiro Murata and Zhu Jun.
Among the new dishes you might spot are poached Maine lobster with champagne sauce in Suites and first class, a Japanese-inspired prawn cocktail in business class, beef short rib in coconut-based sambal percik with nasi kerabu rice in business class, tandoor-roasted paneer in tangy pasanda gravy in all classes and Irish lamb stew with buttered cabbage and caraway seeds in premium economy.
And take a closer look at what those dishes will be served on in business and first. The airline is introducing an all-new line of chinaware from French luxury brand Christofle, making it the first airline to partner with the longstanding luxury house. The patterns are inspired by Christofle’s Malmaison Impériale collection and incorporate an interpretation of Singapore Airline’s floral batik patterns. There will also be new custom-designed Christofle glassware with tulip-shaped champagne flutes and wine glasses with long stems for more utility.
A new selection of spirits across the board and new wines for business and first class passengers is coming, too. First-class and Suites passengers will be treated to an expanded selection of champagnes including Krug Grande Cuvée, Louis Roederer Cristal, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires and Bollinger La Grande Année while those in business class will find Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve N.V. and Piper-Heidsieck Vintage.
Among the new spirits to be carried on board, there will be a blended whiskey from Japan’s Komoro Distillery created exclusively for Singapore Airlines first class, Bowmore 19 Year Old Pinot Noir Cask Finish single-malt Scotch whisky and Roky Botanical Kasane Edition gin in business class and Whyte & Mackay blended Scotch whisky in premium economy and economy.
Amenity kits galore…and pajamas!
For a carrier with such a premium reputation, one thing that surprises some business-class passengers is the fact that Singapore Airlines has not traditionally handed out amenities in business class (first-class passengers do get them, though). That’s all about to change, starting this week.
In fact, Singapore Airlines is introducing all-new amenity kits available on flights over six hours. Here’s what’s in store for passengers.
Sisley first-class amenity kits
When Singapore Airlines launched its second-generation A380 First Class Suites in 2017, it also formed a partnership with French luxury house Lalique to create onboard amenities including pajamas, linens and amenity kits with fragrances and skincare products.
Now, with the introduction of its third-generation suites, the airline is turning to French cosmetics brand Sisley to create all-new men’s and women’s kits for first class passengers featuring anti-aging Sisleÿa (for women) and Sisleÿum (for men) products.
- Sisleÿa L’Integral anti-age cream
- Sisleÿa L’Integral eye and lip contour cream
- Sisleÿa essential skincare lotion
- L’Eau Rêvée D’Eliya fragrance
- A black rose cream face mask
- Restorative hand cream
- Sisleÿum anti-aging mattifying gel cream
- L’Eau Rêvée d’Alma fragrance
- Ecological compound
- All day all year essential anti-aging protection
- Nutritive lip balm
- Restorative hand cream
Passengers will also find Sisley’s Eau de Campagne fragrance, moisturizing body lotion and floral spray mist along with dental kits in the first-class lavatories.
As for pajamas, customers will receive all-new sleeper suits in dark gray cotton with a subtle imprint of the airline’s batik pattern on the plackets and side seams, along with new, better padded slippers. They will be available in four sizes.
While visiting the airline’s fancy The Private Room lounge and the First Class SilverKris Lounge at Changi Terminals 2 and 3, passengers will also find Hair Rituel by Sisley fortifying densifying shampoo and restructuring conditioner in the shower suites, along with Sisley’s Eau de Campagne bath and shower gel, fragrance and moisturizing body lotion.
Byredo business-class amenity kits
Singapore Airlines is also introducing new amenity kits and, for the first time, pajamas for business-class passengers.
The sleeping apparel will be navy-blue poly-cotton with a subtle batik print on the tops’ inner collars and the lining of the trousers’ pockets. They will be available in two sizes.
Business-class passengers will also receive new amenity kits from Swedish brand Byredo that include:
- A fragrance spray
- Hand cream from the Blanche line
- Blanche lip balm
- Eye shades
- Socks
- A dental kit
The business-class lavatories will have Blanche body lotion and vitamin E and chamomile facial toner.
Premium economy amenity kits
Don’t worry, the airline hasn’t forgotten about premium economy passengers, who pay a pretty penny for that extra legroom. They will now receive new zip pouches made from recycled materials and decorated with the airline’s recognizable batik motif.
The pouches will contain Australian personal care brand Ink & Water’s white tea-scented lip balm as well as eye masks, socks and dental kits.
Economy amenity kits
Even the folks in the back will receive drawstring pouches with a batik motif containing eye masks, socks and a dental kit.
Kids’ amenities
Long flights are tough on kids, so for travelers 12 years of age and under on flights that are over five hours long, the airline will offer collectible Beary soft toys — essentially airline-branded teddy bears. The airline also offers Pixar’s “Toy Story”-themed amenities on all flights including things like infant bibs, activity pads for kids and drawstring bags.
Entertainment and Starlink Wi-Fi
Singapore Airlines will also be updating the KrisWorld inflight entertainment systems on its A350s and offering new systems on its forthcoming 777-9s.
The new systems will have 4K resolution and Bluetooth pairing capability, but interface improvements that include better search functions, content shortcuts, a mini-player function so passengers can browse content while watching something, better personalization and wellness programming.
First-class passengers will receive Bang & Olufsen noise-cancelling Bluetooth headsets to use in flight while business-class and premium economy flyers will receive active noise-cancellation sets. Economy passengers get wired headphones, but all will be able to pair their own Bluetooth devices with the new systems.
The airline will also progressively roll out new Starlink Wi-Fi service starting in 2027 aboard its Airbus A380s, A350-900 long-haul fleet and its A350-900ULRs. Like the airline’s current Wi-Fi offerings, Starlink service will be free for business and first class passengers and passengers in all cabins who are members of KrisFlyer or PPS Club.
Bottom line
New airline seats represent huge investments of time, money and research, let alone the costs of updating onboard services and amenities. That makes Singapore Airlines’ current slate of announcements all the more exciting.
Flyers have a lot to look forward to on board the airline’s long-haul A350s and forthcoming 777-9s. While the first-class seats are not as large as the Suites on board the airline’s A380s, they are still roomy with high-end finishes and up-to-date tech that passengers should welcome.
The business-class seats represent the largest departure for the airline, with a new front-facing configuration and what feels like a totally new color palette that might jarring for some longtime flyers. Thoughtful ergonomic features in terms of stowage and the tray table and closing privacy doors are real pluses, though.
As for premium economy and economy, hopefully the airline will consider bringing its latest seats to the A350 as well in an attempt to standardize the experience across the fleet. Still, for 777-9 passengers, these updates will be a win.
What do you think of Singapore Airlines’ new seats? Leave a comment with your impressions below!
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.
Source: thepointsguy.com
