Singapore Airlines (SIA) is investing over $1.2 billion to install all-new long-haul cabin products in its Airbus A350 fleet. And it’s raised a few eyebrows — and kept a few secrets. But the airline has lifted the curtain just enough to give us an exciting first look at its plans.
SIA’s fleet of 41 A350s will see updates across all classes. But it’s the all-new First Class cabin that has everyone talking — or rather, wondering. For the first time, SIA is debuting a First Class cabin on its ultra-long-range (ULR) A350s. What will it look like? How will it feel? Well, the airline’s not telling us everything…yet. But here’s what we do know (and a few hints we’ve managed to squeeze out).
First things First
Singapore Airlines is promising to “set new industry benchmarks”, redefining what it means to fly ultra-long-haul in First Class on its seven A350-900ULRs, custom-designed for the world’s longest flights.
According to Singapore Airline’s Chief Executive Officer Goh Choon Phong, seat designs will incorporate thoughtful elements that “push the boundaries of comfort”.
“Over the past six years, we have extensively engaged customers and stakeholders in the design of our next-generation long-haul cabin products, anticipating their evolving preferences and expectations down to the finest detail,” he said.
So, what does this mean? While we don’t know specifics, SIA’s past First Class offerings have always leaned towards spacious, private, and tech-savvy. The word on the tarmac is that this new iteration will amplify all that.
Down to Business
Business travellers will also find a lot to love about the upcoming changes. For all 41 A350-900 aircraft, Singapore Airlines is bringing an updated Business Class seat that aims to offer “even greater levels of privacy, comfort, and convenience.”
The seats are being completely re-envisioned to deliver a private sanctuary within the cabin, with new ergonomic designs to maximise space and provide the flexibility needed to seamlessly transition from work to rest.
These same designs are also planned for SIA’s upcoming Boeing 777-9 aircraft.
But this retrofit isn’t only for the big spenders. Premium Economy and Economy Class will both see a refresh that promises more comfort on those long-haul legs. While the airline hasn’t divulged all the specifics, hints suggest that seating and amenities will see upgrades.
Next-gen KrisWorld
As part of this massive overhaul, Singapore Airlines is launching the next generation of its KrisWorld in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, which it says will be bigger, better, and more tailored to you. Passengers in First and Business Classes will have access to even larger high-definition screens, but across the board, everyone will benefit from a more personalised experience.
From concept to reality: What does the rollout look like?
SIA’s retrofitting programme is set to debut in phases, so there’s a timeline for when travel advisors and clients can expect these new cabins to take flight. The first upgraded A350-900 long-haul aircraft will be in the skies by mid-2026, with the ultra-long-range variant following suit in early 2027. The entire fleet is expected to complete its transformation by 2030, with consistency in seating and service levels across all 41 A350s.
Here’s the seat count you can expect post-refit:
- For the 34 A350-900 long-haul aircraft: 42 Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy, and 192 Economy.
- For the seven ultra-long-range A350-900ULR variants: 4 First Class, 70 Business, and 58 Premium Economy seats.
For travel advisors working with high-end clients, Singapore Airlines’ retrofit programme is one to watch closely. By the time this programme is fully rolled out, the airline will be positioned to offer a suite of next-generation cabins that are purpose-built for ultra-long-haul travel. With exclusive First Class seats for those top-tier clients and a refreshed Business Class, there’s a lot to look forward to here. The ultra-long-range First Class offering, in particular, is bound to be a selling point for those clients seeking exclusive, bespoke experiences in the air.
For now, all eyes are on Singapore Airlines as they continue to release more hints about the final product. So, stay tuned—there’s more to this story, and we’re all waiting for SIA to let us in on the rest of their billion-dollar secret.
