Singapore Airlines defends new business class seat design amid mixed reactions
Singapore Airlines says the colour scheme and materials of its new business class seats were deliberately chosen, while it monitors passenger feedback as the cabin rollout begins in 2027.
Singapore Airlines said the grey-and-yellow colour palette of its newly unveiled business-class seats was "carefully selected" after the design attracted criticism on social media. The seats, developed with Recaro and Designworks, are intended to enhance comfort, privacy and functionality, the airline said, adding that adjustable LED lighting and full-grain premium leather upholstery create a "fresh, contemporary, and refined ambience."
The carrier highlighted features such as sliding privacy doors, an electronically powered centre divider, a full-flat bed, a spacious footwell and upgraded charging options. It said frequent flyers who attended the launch praised the privacy, spaciousness and convenience of the new seats.
Some content creators and travel writers expressed displeasure with the aesthetic, likening the colour scheme to dental chairs and describing the finishes as "cheap" or "mismatched." Others, however, noted the seats' comfort and practical improvements, with one traveller calling the privacy doors the best part of the upgrade and another saying the ergonomics and footwell space were positive changes.
Singapore Airlines said it will continue to monitor feedback and use operational insights to refine the customer experience. The new cabin products, which also include redesigned first-class suites and upgraded premium-economy and economy cabins, are slated for phased introduction from the second half of 2027 on retrofitted Airbus A350-900 and new Boeing 777-9 aircraft.