Singapore Airlines (SIA) is investing S$1.1 billion (US$835 million) in a multi-year programme to install its all-new long-haul cabin products across 41 Airbus A350-900 long-haul and ultra-long-range (ULR) aircraft, redefining the premium travel experience on its network.
In a significant milestone, the airline will introduce a luxurious First Class cabin in its seven A350-900ULR aircraft, setting new industry benchmarks for travel on the world’s longest routes. Designed with increasingly discerning travellers in mind, these plush First Class seats promise to deliver an unparalleled in-flight experience.
Business Class customers can look forward to an elevated travel experience with SIA’s upcoming Business Class seats, featuring innovative designs that will offer even greater levels of privacy, comfort, and convenience in all 41 aircraft.
These A350-900 First Class and Business Class products are designed from the ground up, with a spacious layout and ergonomic elements that cater to every customer’s needs. These are the same seat designs that will feature on SIA’s upcoming Boeing 777-9 aircraft.
Premium Economy Class and Economy Class cabins will also be refreshed to enhance the travel experience for customers.
Complementing the cabin products, the next version of SIA’s KrisWorld in-flight entertainment (IFE) system will offer greater personalisation and an extensive range of lifestyle options across all cabin classes. First Class and Business Class seats will also feature new in-flight entertainment screens.
Watch a teaser on what’s coming here
2026 launch date, completion by 2030
The aircraft will be retrofitted by SIA Engineering Company in Singapore. The first retrofitted A350-900 long-haul aircraft is expected to enter service in the second quarter of 2026, while the first A350-900ULR variant will follow in the first quarter of 2027. The entire programme is targeted for completion by the end of 2030.
Post-retrofit, the 34 A350-900 long-haul aircraft will be configured with 42 Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy Class seats, and 192 Economy Class seats.
The seven A350-900ULR variants, which operate from the U.S. to Singapore (the world’s longest routes), will feature four First Class seats, 70 Business Class seats, and 58 Premium Economy Class seats.
Delivery challenges amid stiff competition
The new cabin designs, which have been in development since 2018, were originally meant to be launched on the next-generation Boeing 777-9 jets as early as 2021.
The Straits Times reported that production of the new wide-body aircraft has been hit by delays. The latest setback came in October, when Boeing said the first 777-9 planes would be delivered only in 2026 at the earliest.
SIA may have to wait even longer to receive its first planes, with other airlines like Emirates and Lufthansa at the front of the queue.
While SIA said its A350 upgrades are independent of the delivery schedule of its new Boeing planes, the delays have prompted rival airlines to change their plans and launch new cabin products on other aircraft first.
In October, Cathay Pacific launched its new Aria Suites business class seats on a retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER, instead of waiting for its 777-9s to be delivered. Similarly, Lufthansa chose to install its new Allegris cabin products on its A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft first.
CNA.com reported that Shukor Yusof, founder of aviation consultancy Endau Analytics, said the investment is aimed at keeping SIA’s edge in the industry.
“SIA is a premium airline, always has been and always will be in terms of being at the top of the market,” Mr. Shukor said. “But I think that the competition is becoming very stiff from the Gulf carriers, from Qatar, from Emirates and also to some extent from Turkish Airlines.”
