BusinessClass — Born in Norway

Singapore Airlines reaches new heights

Henrik Hanevold Henrik Hanevold Nov 3, 2017
Singapore Airlines reaches new heights

BusinessClass attended an exclusive preview in Singapore as Singapore Airlines introduced its newly reimagined cabin experiences, set to redefine luxury travel on all 19 of its Airbus A380 aircraft. Standout features include expanded, ultra-private Suites and innovative Business Class seats that seamlessly convert into double beds.

Singapore Airlines has dedicated over $850 million (approximately £644 million) to completely revamp its flagship cabins, revealing these enhancements to a global audience of more than 100 leading travel journalists and industry insiders.

Anticipation ran high for this reveal, given Singapore Airlines' reputation for pioneering in-flight luxury. While its award-winning Business Class on the Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A350 has set industry benchmarks since 2013, the A380 now benefits from entirely bespoke seats and interiors, reflecting the airline’s commitment to continuous innovation and customer-centric design.

In today’s fiercely competitive premium travel market, Singapore Airlines asserts that its motivation is not just to outpace rivals but to authentically respond to passenger feedback and preferences. The carrier’s confidence in its new product line is justified, with enhancements that are poised to set new global standards for comfort, privacy, and in-flight experience.

Singapore Airlines reaches new heights

Economy Class

The latest Economy Class seats on Singapore Airlines’ A380s feature a refined, slightly narrower profile, maximizing personal legroom without sacrificing comfort. Passengers now enjoy larger, responsive touchscreen in-flight entertainment systems paired with integrated USB-C charging ports, keeping devices powered throughout the journey. The redesigned six-way adjustable headrests deliver exceptional neck support, ensuring a restful experience even on ultra-long-haul routes.

Singapore Airlines reaches new heights - Economy Class

Premium Economy

Singapore Airlines’ Premium Economy offering, introduced with a refreshed design, has been repositioned to the forward section of the lower deck—previously reserved for other classes—providing a quieter, more exclusive environment. The cabin now accommodates 44 seats, up from 38, reflecting increased demand for this hybrid class. Premium Economy passengers benefit from enhanced seat width, increased recline, and priority boarding, with only Economy Class located behind for minimized traffic and greater serenity.

Singapore Airlines reaches new heights - Premium Economy

Business Class

The redesigned Business Class on the A380 introduces a sophisticated evolution of Singapore Airlines’ classic product. Every seat offers direct aisle access and is enveloped in a sculpted carbon fiber shell for increased privacy. The seat’s deeper placement and extended privacy panels create a cocoon-like sanctuary, ideal for both rest and productivity.

With the press of a button, the seat transforms into a fully flat bed—now 2.5 cm longer than its predecessor. Couples traveling together will appreciate the innovative middle seats, which can be seamlessly reconfigured into a luxurious double bed, a feature once exclusive to First Class.

Design improvements extend to ergonomics: all controls and amenities are intuitively placed, from the pop-out vanity mirror to conveniently located charging ports and headphone hooks. The cleverly engineered under-seat storage and the slide-out cocktail table, inspired by crew feedback, add to the thoughtful touches. Having personally tested the new seat in both upright and flat positions, we found the comfort and side support to be markedly superior, particularly for extended flights.

While the seat continues to feature the angled footwell design, your legs now extend toward the aisle, which enhances accessibility and comfort for most travelers. For those who value extra space to move during sleep, bulkhead seats remain the top choice. The updated design, with its subtle nods to the Singapore Airlines logo, delivers both style and substance, cementing the airline’s reputation for design excellence.

First Suites

At the pinnacle of the new A380 experience are the First Suites—now limited to just six, each dramatically expanded in size to 4.64m2 for unparalleled privacy and personal space. The first two suites on each aisle can be combined into a double suite for couples, offering a bespoke, hotel-like experience at 35,000 feet. Each suite features both a plush, fully reclining leather chair and a separate bed, with the seat swiveling up to 270 degrees for optimal comfort and flexibility.

Interiors are finished in premium materials with a refined, understated color scheme. Each suite includes a spacious personal wardrobe, ample enough for both garments and a carry-on, and a next-generation KrisWorld entertainment system with a 32-inch ultra-HD 4K display. Ambient lighting options, all controlled via a wireless tablet, allow passengers to tailor their environment for sleeping, dining, or entertainment. The tablet also provides seamless communication with the cabin crew for personalized service on demand.

While Singapore Airlines has chosen not to include showers or an onboard bar in its A380 Suites, this decision has enabled the airline to maximize space and privacy, focusing on what discerning travelers value most: tranquility, exclusivity, and meticulous attention to detail. We look forward to sharing deeper insights into the inflight dining and entertainment experiences as these new Suites enter regular service.