Singapore Airways is planning a significant cabin facelift for its fleet of long-range Airbus A350 jets, together with a brand new first-class cabin that can sometime be provided on the world’s longest airline routes.
On Monday, Singapore introduced a $1.1 billion cabin retrofit program for its A350-900 fleet — protecting each its long-haul and ultra-long-haul plane.
The work consists of refreshed coach and premium financial system cabins, all-new enterprise class ideas, and — on its farthest-flying jets — new first-class choices. Collectively, the work will set “new business benchmarks for journey on the world’s longest routes,” the provider mentioned in an announcement Monday.
It will additionally up the sport for an airline that is lengthy provided an inflight product that ranks among the many world’s finest.
Singapore’s A350-900 retrofit plans
As a part of the adjustments, Singapore plans to outfit its seven ultra-long-haul A350-900s with a brand new first-class cabin, “designed with more and more discerning vacationers in thoughts.” It is a clear transfer to select up on a robust demand for premium journey experiences that has been reported throughout the business.
The provider launched “sneak peak” renderings Monday that present a large footprint for the brand new seat idea — it is clearly Singapore’s tackle the personal suite idea airways are more and more deploying for his or her highest-end seats.
However we’ll have to attend till nearer to the product launch to actually get a take a look at the bells and whistles of the airline’s new top quality.
Singapore operates its A350-900ULR on its longest routes, together with the present longest flights on this planet from Singapore to Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) and John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK). Meaning you will see the brand new first-class idea, and upgraded cabin, on these flights within the coming years.
Including a first-class cabin is not completely novel to Singapore. At this time, you possibly can e-book an “F” ticket on flights aboard its Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER plane.
Day by day E-newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Day by day publication
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
Learn extra: Redeem your factors and miles: Tips on how to search flight award availability for the most important airways
Enterprise class refresh
In the meantime, as a part of the retrofits, Singapore may also unveil an all-new business-class product on its long-haul and extremely long-haul A350s. The restricted glimpse the provider provided of the brand new seats confirmed sliding privateness doorways as a part of the suite idea.
Singapore notes these merchandise will mirror the longer term design on its upcoming Boeing 777-9 jets it has on order — although Boeing’s new 777X household plane continues to face prolonged manufacturing delays.
“The brand new First Class and Enterprise Class seat designs will incorporate considerate parts that push the boundaries of consolation, luxurious, and modernity, permitting our clients to chill out or work effortlessly on board,” Singapore CEO Goh Choon Phong mentioned in an announcement Monday.
Learn extra: How does Singapore Airways’ KrisFlyer waitlist work for award flights?
Premium financial system and coach
It is not simply the high-end cabins getting an improve as a part of Singapore’s billion-dollar program.
The provider plans to “refresh” its premium financial system and financial system cabins, too.
All through the plane, clients could have entry to an up to date KrisWorld inflight leisure system with larger personalization choices, the provider mentioned — and, it will supply all-new screens within the first- and business-class sections.
Retrofitted A350-900 long-haul jets will find yourself with 42 Enterprise Class seats and 24 Premium Economic system, on par with right now’s cabin configurations.
Nonetheless, the ultra-long-haul plane will boast 4 first-class suites, 70 business-class seats, and 58 seats in premium financial system. At this time’s ULR jets characteristic 67 enterprise pods, and 94 premium financial system seats.
Learn extra: Singapore KrisFlyer: Final information to incomes, redeeming and elite standing
Backside line
Do not count on to see these new seats instantly.
Singapore expects its first long-haul A350 will enter service in mid-2026. Its first ultra-long-haul A350 with the upgraded cabin ought to arrive in service by early 2027, the provider mentioned. The airline hopes to finish the complete retrofit program by the top of 2030.
Singapore presently operates nonstop flights to the U.S. from its hub at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to 4 U.S. airports: JFK, Newark, San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX).
You may as well catch a Singapore fifth-freedom flight from JFK to Frankfurt; from LAX to Tokyo’s Narita Airport (NRT); and — till April — from Houston to Manchester, England. The latter service ends April 1, when Singapore will exit the Houston market altogether.
Associated studying:
