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In 2018, Singapore Airlines reclaimed the world's longest flight mantle by relaunching its direct route between Singapore and New York City using a specially designed Airbus A350-900ULR aircraft. Today, Singapore Airlines is announcing a massive S$1.1 billion (US$835 million) retrofit of its Airbus A350-900 fleet that should elevate the experience on this and other U.S. routes.
Perhaps the most exciting part is that Singapore Airlines will add a first-class cabin to its Airbus A350-900ULR aircraft used on its longest routes. Singapore Airlines also plans to install its new business class seat across its entire Airbus A350-900 fleet, as well as “refreshing” its premium economy and economy cabins.
Here's what we know so far from today's announcement.
Singapore Airlines A350 Retrofit Details
Singapore Airlines plans to overhaul the travel experience across its entire 41 Airbus A350-900 fleet. However, the details vary between its two types of aircraft: A350-900 vs. A350-900ULR.
First, the similarities. Singapore Airlines will install its new business-class suite across its entire Airbus A350-900 fleet. This seat design will match what the airline will install on its upcoming Boeing 777-9 aircraft. The media release of this new seat is heavy on the mystique and light on details:
Singapore Airlines A350-900
Singapore Airlines currently operates 34 Airbus A350-900 long-haul aircraft. This fleet is currently split into two different seating arrangements. However, Singapore plans to harmonize this seating arrangement. After the retrofit, all Singapore A350-900 aircraft will offer:
- 42 business class seats
- 24 premium economy seats
- 192 economy seats
Singapore Airlines A350-900ULR
Singapore uses a specially-designed version of the A350-900 on its longest flights. This aircraft type is given the designation “ULR” for Ultra Long Range. On this version of its A350, Singapore Airlines plans to install:
- 4 first-class seats
- 70 business class seats
- 58 premium economy seats
For comparison, Singapore Airlines A350-900ULR aircraft currently have 67 business class seats and 94 premium economy seats — with no economy class seating.
That's already an incredibly premium-heavy arrangement. This retrofit will only make it more so with the addition of four first-class seats and three business-class seats at the expense of 36 premium economy seats.
Retrofit timeline
The bad news: Travelers will need to wait a while before experiencing these new products. Singapore Airlines notes that its first retrofitted Airbus A350-900 isn't expected to enter service until the second quarter of 2026. And the first retrofit A350-900ULR — used on the Singapore-New York route — won't take flight until 2027. Singapore Airlines expects to finish the retrofit program by the end of 2030.
How to Book Singapore Airlines Awards
Singapore Airlines is typically stingy with releasing award availability to partner award programs — with the notable exception of Aeroplan. That means you'll want to accumulate transferable points that transfer to Singapore KrisFlyer or Air Canada Aeroplan. Thankfully, travelers have no lack of ways to build up balances in either program:
As the retrofit is scheduled to take years, we can't know what award rates will be at the time. But you can currently use as few as 60,000 Aeroplan points to fly Singapore Airlines business class from New York (JFK) to Frankfurt (FRA):
Related: The Best Sweet Spots for Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Awards
Bottom Line
Early this morning U.S. time, Singapore Airlines announced a massive retrofit to its Airbus A350 fleet. Details are still slim and it will be a while before travelers get to experience this new product. But it's exciting to hear one of our favorite airlines is heavily investing in improving the travel experience.
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