Singapore Airlines Upgrades A380s

Singapore Airlines Upgraded A380 Suites
Singapore Airlines Upgraded A380 Suites. Photo: Singapore Airlines.

Singapore Airlines will shortly roll out brand new seats on its flagship Singapore Airlines A380 aircraft, with the upgraded product to launch on the Singapore-Sydney route. All cabins will be refreshed, but the biggest changes will take place in the premium cabins on the upper deck. The number of First class seats will halve, but the suites will become significantly larger. Meanwhile, Business class passengers will now have the option of a double bed in the sky.

First class will move to the upper deck of the Singapore Airlines A380, with a new Premium Economy cabin taking its place at the front of the lower deck. The small upper deck economy cabin will also be removed. This means the upper deck will be “premium only” in the new configuration.

The number of First Suites will reduce from twelve to just six, but the enclosed Suites will be more spacious. Each Suite will come with a separate bed and comfortable swivel chair. The dividing wall between rows 1 and 2 will also be adjustable, creating the possibility to form a double bed.

A proper seat and a proper bed. No compromises with either.

Our members are seriously impressed with the spacious new First class Suites. The new First experience will even come with vintage Krug champagne and a choice of personalised mood lighting.

Suites looks like private jet compartments. I like it! Yes it looks a bit bland but there are plenty of space! I think that is what SIA is trying to emulate. If you add Krug, First Class meals/BTC, excellent SIA service I think it would be fantastic.

I don’t even mind if the price goes up a bit – it looks worth it to me

Business class retains its 1-2-1 configuration, meaning every passenger enjoys direct aisle access. But the seats have been completely re-designed as “pods”. The divider between the two centre seats will be adjustable, creating a double bed even in Business class. The new seats have attracted some criticism, however, for their lack of privacy and awkward positioning of the foot well when the seat is fully reclined.

I like the look of both, but particularly the look of the new J. Double bed (and closer seats) in the middle pair will make flying with +1 a ‘not so distant’ feeling like is on the current a380/777.

Singapore Airlines’ new A380 Business class. Photo: Singapore Airlines.

Our members are very keen to get a taste of the new First class Suites. Unfortunately, it appears that Singapore Airlines is not releasing any KrisFlyer Saver awards on flights with the new Suites. This is perhaps unsurprising as capacity has halved. But some members were lucky enough to book before the announcement.

I’m on SQ221 in August. I’m in Suites, Mrs NoName & NoName Jnr in J. Could be a double review. From memory it was only a week or so after I booked that they removed saver award availability for this flight.

The first route to feature the new product will be Singapore-Sydney. SQ221, which departs Singapore at 8.40pm for an arrival in Sydney the next morning, will sport the new cabin from 18 December 2017. The return SQ232, departing Sydney for the lion city at 12.15pm will also be upgraded for departures after 19 December.

Singapore Airlines has not yet revealed which route is next in line for an upgrade. In Australia, Singapore Airlines’s A380s fly to Sydney and Melbourne.

Join the discussion HERE.

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 70 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.
________________________