Singapore Airlines entire A350 fleet to undergo first, business class retrofit

Airlines Singapore Airlines retrofit
Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines has announced plans for its entire Airbus A350-900 fleet to undergo a S$1.1 billion ($835 million) First and Business Class retrofit. 

The Singapore flag carrier said on November 4, 2024, that new long-haul cabin products would be installed across its 41 Airbus A350-900 long-haul and ultra-long-range (ULR) aircraft. 

Singapore Airlines’ seven A350-900ULR aircraft will be fitted with a First Class cabin for the first time while new Business Class products will be added to all 41 aircraft. 

In addition, all Premium Economy and Economy Class cabins will be refreshed to enhance the travel experience for customers. 

“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,” Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines, said. “The new First Class and Business Class seat designs will incorporate thoughtful elements that push the boundaries of comfort, luxury, and modernity, allowing our customers to relax or work effortlessly on board.” 

The same seat designs that are planned for the A350 fleet will also feature on SIA’s upcoming Boeing 777-9 aircraft. 

The latest version of SIA’s KrisWorld in-flight entertainment (IFE) system will also be introduced and First and Business Class seats will feature new screens. 

Singapore Airlines A350
Kittikun Yoksap Shutterstock

“The S$1.1 billion investment in retrofitting our 41 A350 aircraft reaffirms Singapore Airlines’ unwavering commitment to delivering an exceptional travel experience. The introduction of these next-generation seats and KrisWorld system, together with the world-renowned warm and attentive service of our cabin crew, will set new standards in innovation, customer experience, and service excellence,” added Phong. 

The retrofit, which will be undertaken by SIA Engineering Company in Singapore, is expected to be completed by the end of 2030. 

The first retrofitted A350-900 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. 

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 will feature four First Class seats, 70 Business Class seats, and 58 Premium Economy Class seats. 

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