Singapore Airlines’ elegant A380 first class concepts
Singapore Airlines’ latest Airbus A380 first class suites were conceived as a hotel room above the clouds.
By David Flynn, November 30 2021
Just how close can an Airbus A380 first class suite get to delivering a private jet experience?
If these concept images from the development of Singapore Airlines' latest A380 suites are anything to go by, that gap can be quite narrow.
Singapore Airlines tapped feted French designer Jacques Pierrejean to create its second generation of superjumbo suites, and Pierrejean in turn created a series of concepts to convey a luxurious 'five-star feel' of what commercial first class could be like.
Pierrejean made his name designing luxury yachts and interiors for private and commercial aircraft – and he clearly brought those exclusive influences into these first 'inspirational' treatments.
Concept images for Singapore Airlines' latest Airbus A380 first class.
The upper deck of the Airbus A380 was reimagined with a lobby-style entrance and a standing bar for drinks and snacks, gently illuminated by LED lighting and dressed with oriental orchards for a subtle Singaporean touch.
Concept images for Singapore Airlines' latest Airbus A380 first class.
Plush curtains opened to the first class cabin, which in Pierrejean's vision included this elegant private dining room.
Concept images for Singapore Airlines' latest Airbus A380 first class.
Concept images for Singapore Airlines' latest Airbus A380 first class.
These ideas were meant to spark the imagination and challenge conventional notions of first class, which for Singapore Airlines at that time took the form of the small private suites which debuted on the world's first Airbus A380 in October 2007.
Singapore Airlines' original Airbus A380 first class suite.
As the project progressed, the concepts became more grounded and Pierrejean zeroed in on transforming this space into a room all its own.
"Our concept was the idea of a passenger who stays at a (luxury) hotel, he should find this type of hotel room on the flight... with different functions for day and night," Pierrejean told Executive Traveller when the product launched in November 2017.
Jacques Pierrejean reimagined the A380's first class suite as being closer to a hotel suite.
"In this way, as per a hotel room, you can live onboard free to rest, to sleep, or to work at any time without be disturbed by the general cabin lighting of the aircraft or your neighbours,” he elaborated.
Pierrejean's work drew closer to what Singapore Airlines eventually unveilled, in what was internally dubbed the 'Skyroom'.
Concept images for Singapore Airlines' latest Airbus A380 first class.
Concept images for Singapore Airlines' latest Airbus A380 first class.
It's not far off from the finished product – although some might suggest Pierrejean's version has a more contemporary styling, and wouldn't look out of place as a first class compartment in a high-speed train as it raced across Europe.
Singapore Airlines' second-generation Airbus A380 suite.
Again, here is Pierrejean's treatment of two first class suites joined together to create a double room with a double bed, followed by the 'double suite' as realised by Singapore Airlines.
Concept images for Singapore Airlines' latest Airbus A380 first class.
The 'twin suite' of Singapore Airlines' latest Airbus A380s.
The room-like A380 suites were also twice the size of their predecessors, and Pierrejean told Executive Traveller that Singapore Airlines was at first resistant to trimming back the number of suites from a dozen on the first-gen A380s to just six in this redesign.
Larger suites meant fewer suites: here is the layout of Singapore Airlines ' latest Airbus A380 first class cabin.
"We wanted to find a way to increase the space for the passenger (and) that meant that we had to reduce the quantity of suites," Pierrejean recalled.
"That was another story, to convince the airline to reduce the capacity for these passengers. But, in the end, they accepted to do that and to do this new concept."
Also read: See Cathay Pacific’s ambitious Boeing 777 first class concepts
29 May 2020
Total posts 1
I prefer the previous product from a couples' perspective. You need to be able to get the two front rows in order to be together, and even then when seated you are not close enough to your partner to talk. The bathrooms are absolutely beautiful - especially the larger of the two. Ultimately, this is a lone traveller's product I think.
26 Jul 2015
Total posts 75
Singapore, my favourite airline and their A380 is, in my opinion, the best 1st class in the sky. I hope they are around for a long while to come.
Malaysia Airlines - Enrich
01 Jun 2015
Total posts 30
IMO Very few people travel or flying in First Class. Only the very rich will travel in this First Class Suite and the rest of passengers is all about Points Redemption. This is not revenue. It's such a waste if space and money HOWEVER I think SIA do it only for Pride and Image. That's all.
11 Nov 2017
Total posts 13
Hi all,
I totally disagree. I think Pierrjean's concepts look like s;"t compared to the actual product. So glad they got someone else in, especially with regard to the chairs. His tan leather seats look like JaJaBinks' tongue...... Hideous
Please respond with a counter-argument.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2016
Total posts 29
Hi Duffa Design is most certainly subjective!
However in saying that; as an international designer (architect and interior designer) for the top international hotelier brands around the world- the strategic design set we adopt in the industry is to create “hotel experiences” (which was his vision) hotel experience onboard.
This aesthetic of hotels which we have designed and won many international awards on are the ones which embody “residential warmth and nostalgia” - Which is exactly what he had done, with his tones of colour choice, his use of lampshades and texturing, layering and finishes!
which is exactly what he had done, with his tones of colour choice, his use of lampshades and texturing, layering and finishes!
What has ended up happening is still redefining the hard product “hotel experience” ie different spaces and uses....
BUT in my opinion, lacks any of that warmth and tone in finishes... E.g. losing the beautiful lampshades instead they went with horrendous chrome downlights… They took away any of the warmth in the wall panels and linen & fabric choices!
I believe they were too afraid it would look like the original product, tan leather… But then took it way too far into a sterile white box…
Which is not the essence and sense of space/ place which is Singapore!
This notion of sense of place, and bringing hotels to life with residential experiences eg: adding luxurious lampshades versus boring downlights; adding layers and textures, pillows and trimmings etc including in some instances floral and ornamental contemporary pieces (as seen in his renderings books; iconic curtains etc)
Thus it is not a total failure, as it is subjective… But definitely lacks any warmth and invitation of a true hotel experience in the modern contemporary sense of place
Thankfully Emirates toned down their first class; Yet it still includes depth of warms with different colour tones…
In summary this summary this outcome for Singapore airlines is far too generic and a white void.... just my thoughts
On the plus side Singapore airlines has one of, if not the best service, and extremely beautiful soft products e.g. service, food, wine etc
Cheers keep safe! Happy flying (soon hopefully)
20 Aug 2020
Total posts 1
Hello ShannonBarry51
I agree with your design observations on the new product but in a way I believed SQ eventually worked within the operations and maintainability of this product in the long run as well as time to turn over the space in terms of cleanliness etc at the different airports when they arrive and prepare fo the next batch of customers to board.
Also Singapore Airlines is not known to be flashy in terms of interior fit outs. Having worked on their Sydney SilverKris lounge they prefer understated luxury, pared down colours, soothing tones, perfect ambient aircon temperature and lighting. I think this is translated into the New SQ product. The colour scheme they adopted is uniform in all the lounges worldwide and has now being translated on the new product as well.
I think to me, SQ’s emphasis is always on the service the notion of the ‘’Singapore Girl ‘’ so I can see why SQ adopted a more pared down coloured scheme and allowed for the ‘’Singapore girl’’ service to take centre stage ( I maybe biased I am for Singapore)
but you are right
Stay safe! Happy flying (soon hopefully)
11 Nov 2017
Total posts 13
Subjective indeed !! I love all that Emirates bling and faux-walnut. Bring it on! Yet, I'm so ashamed to admit it. HAHAHA!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
06 Mar 2015
Total posts 230
Can hardly wait to win Lotto and fly with SQ in one of these suites, they look magnificent and matched with SQ's unsurpassed service it's a winner for the First Class passenger.
Won't be long before I can travel in them . Need a tad of lady luck though.
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