Singapore Airlines adds first class cabin to its longest flight | Wilnesh News

Singapore Airlines is planning to add a four-seat first-class cabin on the Airbus aircraft it uses on its longest routes to attract high-spending travelers on flights of up to 17 hours.

The airline will add the new seats on seven Airbus A350-900 URL, or ultra-long-range aircraft, which are used for long-haul journeys, including the longest trip between New York and Singapore. It will also revamp the cabins on long-haul Airbus planes with new business-class seats, which may include suites with sliding doors, a popular design that airlines are increasingly adopting to offer privacy as an in-flight perk.

Singapore said the new first- and business-class seats will come with new in-flight entertainment systems, but the airline did not reveal further details about the new cabins. CEO Goh Choon Phong said in a press release that they will “push the boundaries of comfort, luxury and modernity.”

Airlines have been investing billions of dollars in revamping their premium cabins to attract travelers willing to pay for more space on board. They range from international airline Singapore Airlines to smaller airlines such as JetBlue AirwaysIts long-range twin-aisle jets used for transatlantic travel feature suites with sliding doors.

Singapore’s revamp program also includes the installation of new cabins on 34 long-range Airbus A350 aircraft, part of a S$1.1 billion (approximately US$835 million) effort scheduled to enter service in mid-2026. The aircraft will still have 42 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats and 192 standard economy seats, up from 187 economy seats in the current aircraft configuration.

Ultra-long-haul aircraft now only have business and premium economy cabins. The new first-class design will increase the total number of business class seats from 67 to 70, and premium economy seats to 58 from the current 94, according to the airline’s website.

Most U.S. airlines have eliminated or are in the process of eliminating long-haul first class in favor of larger business class cabins.

American Airlines Boeing is retrofitting some of its 777 aircraft to add 70 seats in business class, rather than separate first and business class cabins, and will upgrade business class seats on the 777s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners to include sliding doors design. Supply chain issues have slowed some retrofits amid industry-wide demand for premium seating.

However, some airlines plan to retain first class, at least on some routes. Lufthansa’s new first-class “suite” cabin will make its debut on November 9.