The world’s reigning #1 airline is trying to up the ante at the front of the plane yet again.
After years of hinting and teasing, Singapore Airlines unveiled its long-awaited new business and first class cabins on Friday. The airline is also touching up premium economy and economy seating … but in the era of “premium travel,” all the attention (and money) is going into business and first class.
Singapore’s new first class cabins will feature fully enclosed suites – though not quite with floor-to-ceiling walls, à la Emirates’ gamechanger first class – with a gorgeous, understated design. Plush leather armchairs recline all the way into bed mode, including a pair of conjoined suites at the center of the cabin that can become what Singapore claims will be the largest bed in the skies.
Business class, though, is a mixed bag … and arguably a step down, at least in the looks department. While Singapore is finally installing doors for more privacy and is also extending that same double bed to select business class seats, the airline is trading its warmth for a more sterile look with blacks, grays, and pops of yellow.
These new cabins are expected to take flight sometime next year, starting with retrofitting most Airbus A350-900s and Airbus A350-900ULRs – the jets that make the longest jaunts like from New York City (JFK) and Newark (EWR) straight to Singapore (SIN). Whenever they get certified and delivered, brand-new Boeing 777-9s will feature these cabins as well. The airline’s existing 777s and Airbus A380s won’t be changed.
All the while, Singapore is leveling up the onboard experience and service, too – where the Southeast Asian carrier truly shines. There are new dishes available through its signature “Book the Cook” service served on fancier new cutlery, refreshed amenity kits from the beloved brands Sisley and Byredo, and even pajamas available for business class passengers – not just up in first class suites.
Here’s a closer look at what’s on tap.
New First Class Suites
Singapore already has arguably one of the world’s best first class suites in the sky on its double-decker A380s. It’s certainly the most spacious, with a separate armchair and bed, and enough space to resemble more of a studio apartment in the sky.
While the airline doesn’t have that kind of real estate, it leaned into luxury here.
Singapore is installing a four-seat first class cabin on its Airbus A350-900ULR, while Boeing 777-9s will sport six suites. Either way, it’s a sharp and undeniably Singaporean look: The soft browns and taupes, the slatted doors, and the lighting all scream class.
But the airline isn’t holding back on high-tech features. Each and every suite will have a 32-inch 4K screen with Bluetooth connectivity, wireless and USB-C charging, tons of storage, and even its own vanity.
While these aren’t the largest first class suites in the world, there’s enough space to dine face-to-face with a companion. But the real star of the show is the new double suites at the center of the cabin. With a divider down, you can turn it into a full double bed – Singapore says it measures a full 60 inches wide.
One note: These cabins will only be available on the Boeing 777-9s and – for the first time – on select Airbus A350-900s. The ultra-long variants of those Airbus stop with business class.
A New Business Class, Too
I’ll be honest: The new first class suites are impressive. Singapore’s next-generation business class suites look like a step backward.
That’s just my gut reaction, based solely on some renderings and influencer-led cabin tours on social media. For all I know, I’ll step inside these new business class suites sometime next year and be totally sold.
But at first glance, this feels like a swing-and-a-miss. Singapore’s current business class cabins convey elegance. These new cabins scream “cheap.”
Gone are the warm tones and gold accents that make Singapore’s premium cabins inviting. Instead, Singapore is going hard with grays, blacks, and a confusing splash of yellow. Did Singapore enlist the help of Spirit Airlines (RIP) before it went under here?
For the record, these seats are very much not cheap. They were designed by seat manufacturer Recaro as well as BMW DesignWorks. A few features make that clear:
- Finally, Singapore Airlines is joining the 2020s and installing doors in business class!
- The seats recline into lie-flat bed mode with the push of a button – solving the “grab a latch and fold the seat down” system that makes Singapore’s current business class seats controversial
- There are 20-inch (or even 22-inch, on the A350s) 4K screens with Bluetooth connectivity inside every suite
- And you get the works to stay charged: wireless charging pads, USB-C ports, and universal AC power outlets
The business class configuration varies from row to row: One center pair is further apart while the next is closer together for so-called “honeymoon seats.” And much like in first class, those closer pairs can be set up as a quasi-double bed.
Premium Economy & Economy Get Minor Tweaks
Love them or skeptical, Singapore clearly put a lot of thought and time into reworking its premium cabins. Premium economy and economy, not so much.
Both cabins are getting some retouching, but nothing really substantial. For example, Singapore Airlines premium economy seating gets a slightly new look, an additional inch of recline, and 16-inch 4K screens with Bluetooth capability to connect your own headphones.
Even less is changing at the back of the plane. The only real upgrade for economy flyers on these long-haul aircraft is a 13-inch 4K screen – again, with Bluetooth connectivity.
Bottom Line
At long last, Singapore has pulled back the curtain on its next generation of premium cabins.
First class looks like a genuine upgrade, with even more privacy, comfort, and style. But color us skeptical that business class will be a step up.
All visuals courtesy of Singapore Airlines
