All Singapore Airlines A380s to get new first, business class
When Singapore Airlines' superjumbos return to the skies they'll all feature the latest suites and seats.
By David Flynn, December 22 2020
While all of Singapore Airlines' Airbus A380s are still grounded, and over a third of the fleet is being sent into premature retirement, all of the remaining 12 superjumbos will sport the airline's latest first class suites and business class seats when they return to the skies.
This will include seven A380s which previously flew with the first generation fit-out, on top of the five newest A380s delivered factory-fresh with the new designs starting late 2017.
Three of those 'classic' A380s have already been upgraded, and a spokesman for Singapore Airlines has confirmed to Executive Traveller that four more will follow, covering the downsized dozen-strong fleet.
On the older aircraft, this will see the 12 first class suites located on the lower deck, which made their debut from 2007 when Singapore Airlines was the global launch customer for the double-decker behemoth...
Singapore Airlines' original Airbus A380 first class suites, from 2007.
... swapped out for six almost double-sized suites at the front of the upper deck.
Singapore Airlines' new Airbus A380 first class suites, introduced in 2017.
(At the nose of the lower deck, the space previously assigned to those 12 suites will be given over to some 44 premium economy seats.)
Also read: We reveal Singapore Airlines' original Airbus A380 first class concepts
Likewise, the original bench-like A380 business class seats will make way for SQ's newer design.
Singapore Airlines' original Airbus A380 business class, from 2007.
Singapore Airlines' new Airbus A380 business class, introduced in 2017.
This allows couples in the paired middle seats to slide down a divider and share more of the travel experience, with the option to convert the 'front-row' business class seats at rows rows 11, 91 and 96 into a double bed.
The upgrade work will be carried out in Singapore, but with Covid-19 continuing to throttle global travel demand – the foundation of Singapore Airlines' model of connecting the world through its Singapore hub – there's no timeline as to when we'll see the superjumbos soaring once more.
"We continue to closely monitor travel demand and will remain nimble to ensure we can deploy additional capacity to meet any increase in demand," the Singapore Airlines spokesman told Executive Traveller.
"Given the current demand patterns, we do not foresee our A380 aircraft returning to service in the near term."
Singapore Airlines' second-gen A380 business class seat will eventually be on all superjumbos.
19 of the Star Alliance member's Airbus A380s are still in Singapore, with seven – ranging from new models to upgraded and original jets – in hibernation at a dedicated aircraft storage facility in Alice Springs.
The sprawling Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage facility is home to over 100 jets.
Also read: Here's how Qantas will hibernate its Airbus A380s for the next three years
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.
26 Jul 2015
Total posts 75
Well, thats a pleasing story. Don't know when they'll fly again but at least when they do, it'll be a nice flight.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1210
It will be interesting to see if SQ change the window configurations on the older A380s when they are upgraded. The older A380s have some windows plugged on the lower deck. When they are converted to Premium Economy, they may need to be unplugged or some window seats in the W cabin will have no window. In theory, some upstairs windows may also need blocking for the new F seats, though this is probably less of an issue
18 Nov 2020
Total posts 1
im not sure when this will happen, i contacted Singapore airlines, yesterday with the intention of booking first class flights to Australia in September 2021, and after a very frustrating conversation i was told that they are not taking any first class bookings at the moment due to covid 19. i am left feeling that the chap that i spoke to must have given me incorrect information , especially as BA offer the flights that i require and are able to include the hotel that Singapore airlines could not ,they told me to call the hotel myself.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1424
mracw they won’t take bookings if they incur a liability if they don’t happen. BA may be different in how these liabilities are treated. There may be flights second half of next year and I would love it to get some long term work done but we won’t know what is possible until probably June at the earliest. A lot of vaccines to be rolled out and tests to be done on them for their efficacy in terms of transmission and other things.
Qatar Airways
06 Jul 2016
Total posts 47
Am I alone in preferring the original lay-out? As a 'window junkie' I don't like new J seats which seem to seek to hide the window. And I prefer the old F because I could dine face to face with my partner in my suite. In the new suites dining together means sitting about 6m apart, separated by the beds (and only if you're able to book the 2 adjoining suites).
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