One of the first-class suites will feature a two-seat sofa that converts into the largest double bed in sky. Pictures: Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines Ltd. plans to spend more than S$2 billion ($1.6 billion) renovating its long-haul aircraft, including putting in sofas in first class, as the company bets flyers will continue to splurge on air travel despite high ticket prices.
The overhaul will result in the carrier carving out more space for the refurbished premium cabins, which will debut next year, the company said Friday. One of the first-class suites will feature a two-seat sofa that converts into the largest double bed in sky, while business-class seats will have greater privacy, thanks to help from BMW AG’s design unit.
Singapore Air joins British Airways and Australia’s Qantas Airways Ltd. in setting aside more space for premium seats at the expense of the cheaper ones in the back. It’s Singapore Air’s first major upgrade of its long-distance plane cabins since 2013, making the refurbishments long overdue to keep up with the competition in the market for well-heeled travelers.
"Premium air travel continues to be strong,” Chief Commercial Officer Lee Lik Hsin said in an interview. "The important thing is that we continue to be able to fill up premium classes.”
Singapore Air’s seven ultra-long-haul planes will get the biggest makeover. The total seat count will fall to 132 from 161 by shrinking premium economy while expanding first and business class.
The new cabins will debut on 41 Airbus SE A350 and 31 yet-to-be-delivered Boeing Co. 777-9 planes. They will also feature Wi-Fi from SpaceX’s Starlink internet service.
The planned costs are nearly double the amount outlined two years ago in an initial spending plan. Though the company had originally scheduled to debut the new interiors in the second quarter of this year, the latest forecast is for the first refurbished planes to be available in the second half of 2027.
First-class passengers will be pampered with Sisley amenity kits and cotton pajamas. Business-class flyers will get in-flight pajamas for the first time. In premium economy, legroom will increase by a couple of inches.
Passengers on coach should brace for the opposite on the 777-9 aircraft. Economy class will have one more seat per row, spanning 10 seats across.
Separately, the company reports half-year fiscal 2026 earnings next week, and investors are watching for updates on the impact of soaring jet fuel costs and its investment in Air India.
