Singapore Airlines to invest over S$2 billion in new long-haul premium cabins

Singapore Airlines said it will spend more than S$2 billion (about $1.6 billion) to revamp cabins across all four travel classes on its long-haul fleet. The new seats, slated for delivery from the second half of 2027, include the airline’s largest double-bed suites in first class and sliding privacy doors with fully flat beds in business class.

Chief Executive Goh Choon Phong said the redesign reflects passenger feedback for greater comfort, privacy and flexible spaces for work, rest and communication at altitude. The cabins were initially planned for the Boeing 777-9, which is expected to become the carrier’s new flagship as the Airbus A380 is retired, but delays to the 777-9 program have led the airline to extend the rollout to its A350 fleet.

Chief Commercial Officer Lee Lik Hsin told Reuters that the investment, funded from a cash balance of S$9.1 billion at the end of June, focuses mainly on premium cabins because first- and business-class seats cost significantly more per unit than economy seats. He added that the airline has no spending ceiling and will continue to invest to maintain market leadership.

Industry observers noted that the new first-class design, featuring a curved cabin that reallocates aisle space for larger personal suites, ranks among the world’s best. The business-class upgrade is seen as a catch-up to rivals such as Qatar Airways, Emirates and Cathay Pacific.

Lee said certification delays have pushed back the introduction of the new seats on both the 777-9 and A350, with the A350 rollout delayed by about six months. He highlighted that seat certification has become a bottleneck as airlines introduce more bespoke premium features that must meet stringent safety standards.