Concept designs for new Singapore Airlines first, business class

By David Flynn, November 25 2015
Concept designs for new Singapore Airlines first, business class

Singapore Airlines is planning a new generation of first class suites and business class seats for both the Airbus A380 and an ultra-long range Airbus A350, which will take to the skies in 2017-2018.

The Singaporean flag-carrier invests heavily in creating superb cabins for its premium passengers – its latest Boeing 777-300ER first class and business class are arguably the best seats in the world – so it's always intriguing to see design concepts for its next-gen seats.

A case in point: these concepts created for the airline by British firm DCA Design International.

Developed in 2014, a year after Singapore Airlines' current first and business class seats made their debut, they could even provide some hints as to what we'll see next from SQ.

The first class concepts reveal an elegant if compact suite (which appears to be located on the top deck of an Airbus A380).

Singapore Airlines first class concept. DCA Design International, 2014
Singapore Airlines first class concept
DCA Design International, 2014

Immediately noticeable is a novel 'split seat' which would provide "an intimate shared space for a couple travelling together", DCA explains, or it can simply be an oversized seat which delivers "an extremely spacious cosseting and luxurious space for an individual traveller."

DCA says the notion was inspired by research which revealed a "growing tendency for business travellers to take partners or families with them on business trips."

And while the ottoman could also be used as a companion seat, "the suite can easily accommodate four people, including the option to dine together."

Singapore Airlines first class concept. DCA Design International, 2014
Singapore Airlines first class concept
DCA Design International, 2014

DCA even proposed that the large HD video panel could display two different pictures, although that'd prove more distracting than anything else.

The finishes in these mock-ups are undeniably high-end and share some of the design language found in Singapore Airlines' current seats.

Singapore Airlines first class concept. DCA Design International, 2014
Singapore Airlines first class concept
DCA Design International, 2014

The proposed business class seat is also a stunning effort and incorporated suite-like sliding doors. 

Singapore Airlines business class concept. DCA Design International, 2014
Singapore Airlines business class concept
DCA Design International, 2014

DCA's business class cabin concept retained the front-facing 1-2-1 layout.

Singapore Airlines business class concept. DCA Design International, 2014
Singapore Airlines business class concept
DCA Design International, 2014

A frosted opaque panel between the middle seats offers a choice between privacy and interaction with fellow travellers.

Singapore Airlines business class concept. DCA Design International, 2014
Singapore Airlines business class concept
DCA Design International, 2014

 As you'd expect from a modern premium seat, there's generous space for spreading out and stowing your personal gear.

Singapore Airlines business class concept. DCA Design International, 2014
Singapore Airlines business class concept
DCA Design International, 2014

Note that these are purely concepts which DCA has chosen to make public – they're not Singapore Airlines' actual next generation seats for 2017 onwards, with a spokesman for Singapore Airlines confirming to Australian Business Traveller "these seats are design concepts from a previous design submission."

All the same, they provide a glimpse into the advances being made in first class and business class design.

Read more:

Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT

David

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

25 Jul 2013

Total posts 67

Gorgeous designs. I like the idea of 4x people sharing a meal together in First. I also like the privacy of the business cabins.

I wonder why DCA only chose to release these images now...?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

02 Jul 2011

Total posts 1378

Maybe they missed out, so are putting them out there to tout for future business.

not sure why you'd put four in those F cabins, when presumably they'd all have the same equally sized space -- being able to usefully use two centre cabins on the otherhand.

American Airlines - AAdvantage

13 Jul 2015

Total posts 274

That awkward moment when you are travelling alone and the other cabin has 4 people dining in it :/

undertheradar Banned
undertheradar Banned

28 Oct 2011

Total posts 650

LOL..an 'intimate shared space' in F/C..that's called 'creative marketing' lol...If i'm paying SIA prices,I don't want to be rubbing shoulders with my companion during takeoff/landing...or inflight... no matter how much we 'love' eachother lol..as the concept F/C seat is basically a bench for 2...the concept J/C seats look great though :). 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

28 Aug 2014

Total posts 216

Haha :-) I believe the suite concepts were intended to be sold as individual seats to a single traveller, however with the added ability to invite a partner to share the space next to you during the flight, if you so choose. The idea was not to have you sharing a pod with a second person; imagine the implications if you were travelling on your own! :-P

American Airlines - AAdvantage

13 Jul 2015

Total posts 274

Look's good - Etihad's Apartment is still the seat to aim for as The Residence is too niche a segment to focus on. 

I wonder if it really does bring the 'wow' factor like The Apartment's do though...

"I wonder if it really does bring the 'wow' factor like The Apartment's do though..."

Personally, I don't think this is a very creative concept. Its basically a standard First Class enclosed suite product, totally off the rack, but enlarged to support two people.

But even though I wouldn't describe it as very innovative, it will be fantastic for paired/partner travel... its Honeymooner Bait.

I do see there being a problem though... economically speaking, this product would INCREASE the cost for solo First Class passengers (due to taking up more room). However, it would DECREASE the cost for duo First Class passengers (because the seat cost would support both one and two passengers, the cost for paired passengers would only be the additional price of First Class service (but not an additional seat) for one person).

This would mean, basically, the solo traveller would be getting a worse deal than before, and it might make the solo First traveller shift to Business Class. Solo travellers are effectively being forced to pay for two First seats and one unit of First service.

In addition, the Business Class is so good that it may cannibalize First demand.

At the very least, the ability to join two middle suites means that every passenger pays their fare share of the ticket (i.e. 1 unit of First Class seating and 1 unit of First Class service).

Etihad's apartment is a more creative seating concept, and there's still the ability for double beds to be made. That said, this new SQ first would probably be cheaper for a pair travelling together (versus two Etihad First Apartments), and would probably be better for paired travel.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

18 Aug 2014

Total posts 73

Nice, my first choice when flying, Sorry Qantas you lose again...

AT
AT

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

14 Sep 2012

Total posts 381

How is Qantas "losing again"? Based on their financial report they seem to be doing quite well without you Anthony.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

06 Sep 2012

Total posts 235

I don't think Anthony is referring to the financial status of Qantas, I believe he is rather referring to which airline he offers his loyalty. 

04 Dec 2013

Total posts 154

By all means choose an imaginary seat that doesn't yet exist, for your imaginary first class journeys... 

Those seats look incredible. I bet that the First Class ones are pitched three-abreast in order to make room (inside both the upper deck of the A380 and the front of the A350) for two people. Making every First cabin into a potential "Love Seat" for two actually is excellent for companion travel and also would increase the value-for-money proposition of First Class (since I'd presume two people in the same cabin would only be a bit more expensive than 1 passenger in that cabin).

The Business Class is an excellent design too. Sure, its basically a suite-like adaptation of the current design but it REALLY helps push the product into "Business-First" territory.

True, they are just a concept, but if SQ do go for these seats it will be very impressive.

Interesting. If these submissions lost, I wonder which one won? Makes  you wonder if they lost because they were too opulent, or not opulent enough :) ? 

06 Jun 2015

Total posts 11

Needs more Emirates bling bling gold and lights everywhere.... But yeah I think they suit the SQ style well. 

my first impression

 

DAAAAAAMMMN

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

29 Jul 2013

Total posts 204

Love the colour palette and the obviously very high-end materials.  Hate the idea of sharing my seat and private space with anyone - I get to do that every day at home and work without having to pay for it.  I love my spouse, but I love the "alone" time we share across the aisle from each other and being able to dine together in either of our suites/seats and then each go back to our own seat.  As far as "innovation" goes, it's not a particularly groundbreaking design, basically just a First Class suite/seat widened for two.  How would pricing work for a seating arrangement like this?

12 Nov 2015

Total posts 4

Very impressive yet Etihad has set the benchmark in premium travel and they just keep getting better. #Reimagined

26 Nov 2015

Total posts 1

Dont you people read?

"Note that these are purely concepts which DCA has chosen to make public – they're not Singapore Airlines' actual next generation seats for 2017 onwards, with a spokesman for Singapore Airlines confirming to Australian Business Traveller "these seats are design concepts from a previous design submission."

Basically, these were old submissions that were turned down my SQ. You people actually think an like Singapore Airlines would not outdo Etihad? Seriously.........

 

Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles

25 Apr 2013

Total posts 542

"you people actually think an _______ like Singapore Airlines would not outdo Etihad?"

10 Mar 2015

Total posts 6

Singapore Airlines has not been on top of its game for the last few years. The first class suites from Etihad would be extremely difficult to beat. 

Bra
Bra

QF

11 May 2015

Total posts 28

The First Class "bench" needs a moveable armrest in the center for comfort when only one pasenger - it can be put up if you really need to cuddle your partner. Many business class seating proposals including this one puts the seat near the isle, and equipment holders etc near the windiw. A window seat should be right next to the window - which puts it further away from the isle for privacy as well. I am a window seat flyer and the views on a good day beat movies any time - and you can read with more natural light. At least this version is not one of those herringbone design failures.

11 May 2016

Total posts 12

I believe this product to be quite impressive, SIA's business class always exceeds most of the first class products among other airlines, especially for adjacent TG

Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club

19 Mar 2016

Total posts 30

I also think the concept is impressive and also think its quite academic as SQ has still not upgraded the 777 fleet to the newer design and apart from a few flights into Aus SQ does (according to the purser on a flight last week) not see it as a priority for Aus to upgrade cabins. 


Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Concept designs for new Singapore Airlines first, business class