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Singapore Airlines already has one of the most exclusive passenger planes in the world. After six years of development, it is about to take a whole new step.

Gordon Smith

Singapore Airlines is betting big on the continued popularity of premium travel. On Monday, the airline announced a SG$1.1 billion ($835 million) project to renovate a large part of its long-haul fleet.

The objective of the program is to Airbus A350-900. The wide-body aircraft operates a variety of routes for the carrier, from regional intercity flights to those travel record distances.

In total, 41 aircraft are affected, including seven A350-900ULRs. These specially modified ‘Ultra Long Range’ aircraft operate flagship routes between Singapore and the United States, including the world’s longest flight to and from New York.

With travel times of up to 19 hours, Singapore Airlines had already removed economy class cabins on ULRs. This improves passenger comfort but also reduces the overall weight of the aircraft – a key factor when flying such great distances.

Only 94 premium economy seats and 67 business class seats are available on these generously configured aircraft. However, this is about to change with the introduction of an all-new first class cabin.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) says the product will “set new industry benchmarks for travel on the world’s longest routes.” The airline says it is designed for increasingly discerning travelers and promises to deliver “an unparalleled in-flight experience.”

First class is currently only available on SIA’s Airbus A380 and certain Boeing 777-300s.

A complete overhaul

The addition of first class to ULRs is the most high-profile development, but there will be changes throughout the aircraft.

All upgraded A350s will have new business class seats. Notably, these follow the same design as that of the next Boeing 777-9. Premium economy and economy cabins will also be refreshed as part of the redesign, while in-flight entertainment systems will also be upgraded.

After the work, the 34 long-haul A350-900 aircraft will have 42 seats in business class, 24 in premium economy class and 192 in economy class. The seven ULR variants will include four seats in first class, 70 in business class and 58 in premium economy. The renovation only concerns aircraft serving long-haul and ultra-long-haul destinations.

SIA told Skift that full cabin details would be revealed closer to the entry into service of the airline’s upgraded A350 and its first Boeing 777-9s.

Singapore Airlines is a major customer for Boeing’s new twin-aisle plane. However, last month, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg announced another delay in a program already in difficulty. The first 777-9 were due is expected to arrive in 2020, but a series of setbacks have severely hampered the rollout.

Ortberg said on October 11 that Boeing planned to make the first delivery in 2026 due to development challenges, the current strikeand a pause in flight testing.

The delays have caused scheduling problems for some of the world’s biggest airlines. Speaking to Skift last month, Cathay Pacific CEO Ronald Lam describes the situation like “a moving target”.

A long-term project

Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines, said Monday’s announcement was the result of six years of research and development. With such a long lead time, he said the aim was to anticipate “changing customer preferences and expectations down to the smallest details”.

The modifications will be carried out at SIA’s in-house engineering company in Singapore. The first A350-900 long-haul aircraft is expected to enter passenger service in the second quarter of 2026. The first ULR will follow in the first quarter of 2027. The program is expected to be completed by the end of 2030.

Singapore Airlines is not alone in investing heavily in a next-generation first class offering. Cathay Pacific, AirFrance, British AirwaysAnd Swiss are among the big names currently launching new ultra-premium products. Skift recently spoke with the CEO of Qatar Airways Badr Mohammed Al-Meer to learn about the airline’s latest plans for its flagship cabin.

Singapore Airlines’ announcement comes just days after a new report from Skift Research: “Are premium cabins the future of airlines?” It seeks to quantify the value that premium cabins bring to the industry. The report is available for viewing here.

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