Upgrades made include improvements made to the seating and entertainment offerings in the aircraft. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Lukas Wunderlich
Singapore Airlines (SIA) is investing S$1.1 billion in a multi-year programme to install new long-haul cabin products across 41 Airbus A350-900 long-haul and ultra-long-range (ULR) aircraft in a bid to elevate the passenger experience.
In a significant milestone, the airline will introduce a First Class cabin in its seven A350-900ULR aircraft, setting new industry benchmarks for travel on some of the world’s longest routes. The upcoming Business Class seats will also feature designs that offer greater levels of privacy, comfort, and convenience in all 41 aircraft.
The A350-900 First Class and Business Class products – which are the same seat designs that will feature on SIA’s upcoming Boeing 777-9 aircraft – have been designed with a spacious layout and ergonomic elements that cater to passengers.
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.
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 will feature four First Class seats, 70 Business Class seats, and 58 Premium Economy Class seats.