Singapore Airlines lines up premium economy ‘refresh’
What’s next for the ‘more premium than economy’ cabin?
By David Flynn, March 30 2026
While Singapore Airlines has all-new first class and business class suites on the way – with reports of pyjamas and caviar for the latter – the popular premium economy cabin isn’t being ignored.
However, the recliners are in line for what the airline describes as a “refresh” rather than replacement with a newer seat.
Singapore Airlines rolled out its first generation of premium economy seats in 2015, with a fractional design finesse as part of the Airbus A380’s tip-to-tail revamp in 2018.
Singapore Airlines' premium economy.
Now the airline plans to give the seats another refresh “to enhance the travel experience for customers.”
Exactly what that encompasses remains to be seen, because airlines use the word “refresh” to encompass a wide range of overhauls.
Singapore Airlines' premium economy.
In some cases, a refresh is limited to changing the materials covering the seat – which on Singapore Airlines premium economy is a supple leather.
Singapore Airlines' premium economy.
More exhaustive refresh programs can include technology upgrades such as adding USB-C power or swapping out the seatback video screen for a newer, larger and sharper panel with Bluetooth audio streaming.
Singapore Airlines' premium economy.
The full scope of Singapore Airlines’ premium economy revamp remains to be seen, with the airline saying only that “full details… will be revealed closer to the entry into service” of the airline’s retrofitted A350-900 and factory-fresh Boeing 777-9 jets.
The A350-centric launch will take place in the second quarter of this year, with the long-range A350-900 jets sporting 42 new private business class suites.
A sneak peek inside Singapore Airlines' new business class suite.
Read more: Singapore Airlines’ next-gen business class suites
The A350-900ULR fleet, which dominates non-stop routes such as Singapore-New York – currently the world’s longest flight, running over 18 hours – will follow in early 2027 and see the addition of four spacious first class roomettes.
A sneak peek inside Singapore Airlines' new first class suite.
Read more: Singapore Airlines’ new first class design leaks
Singapore Airlines is also increasing the number of business class berths from 67 to 70, while downsizing the premium economy cabin from 94 seats to just 58.
Singapore Airlines' premium economy.
While Singapore Airlines’ premium economy seat effectively remains a 1.0 product, the Star Alliance member has elevated the inflight experience to include a glass of Champagne shortly after take-off; a rotating menu of more than 200 new appetisers, main courses, and desserts, served on porcelain; and up to 20 dishes available for pre-order on an expanded Book the Cook menu.
Also read: When Singapore Airlines flew the Concorde
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1279
Compared with leading W products such as Emirates, SQ has fallen behind. Obviously the main deficit is pitch which is 2" less with SQ but the overall product on SQ feels like Economy Plus whereas Emirates feels more like a pared back J product.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2017
Total posts 97
Totally agree reeves35. The SQ PE product has fallen well behind the competition and this ‘refresh’ appears to add next to nothing. I have been using SQ PE for years now back and forth to Singapore only because they do Singapore to Melbourne daytime flights.
11 Sep 2015
Total posts 270
Ten-year old premium economy seat, upgrades to F&B are always welcome but SQ really needs to roll out a new premium economy seat alongside First and Business and add more pitch during the A350 refit. EK really has set the standard for premium economy now.
02 Nov 2017
Total posts 27
I’m not a fan of SQ PE. It’s way behind other airlines PE. I recently flew Air NZ’s new PE and loved it. There’s a fix wall in front of the seats with integrated screens. Makes for a very private space. SQ might serve champagne but it’s in a flimsy plastic cup! I will say though SQ PE tends to be keenly priced.
06 Jun 2022
Total posts 3
If the layout is still 2-4-2 for long-haul this will remain an unattractive prospect for solo travellers.
11 Sep 2015
Total posts 270
Why do you think 2-4-2 is "an unattractive prospect for solo travellers"? A 2-4-2 layout is pretty much standard for premium economy on wider-body jets like the A350 and B777.
06 Jun 2022
Total posts 3
With 2-4-2 there's no seat where you have aisle access and a good chance of no stranger climbing over you to get out.
The only PE product I've ever found really compelling (on a value for money basis) is the Air NZ Space Seat on the 777 with 2-2-2 layout (now discontinued). A decent offering with 2-3-2 is fine though, as another single traveller would only take the middle seat as a last resort on a full flight. Thankfully this is the norm on the 787, which is becoming more common.
11 Sep 2015
Total posts 270
With 2-4-2 there's no seat where you have aisle access and a good chance of no stranger climbing over you to get out.
Not sure I follow you here, are you asking for solo seats by the window and a 1-4-1 layout? Because with a 2-3-2 or a 2-4-2 layout, the aisle seat in each of the '2's gives you aisle access and the same chance of "a stranger climbing over you to get out." So does the aisle seat on the middle 4 or the middle 3, except that with the middle 3 there's a 50% change that the person in the middle will choose to "climb over" you instead of the person on the other side.
The only PE product I've ever found really compelling (on a value for money basis) is the Air NZ Space Seat on the 777 with 2-2-2 layout (now discontinued).
Agree there, it was a great seat, actually very radical at the time for premium economy, didn't have enough legroom but when NZ ripped out one row and added to the pitch it was so good!
06 Jun 2022
Total posts 3
My thinking has always been that if you take the aisle of the 3 in a 2-3-2 (and the flight is full), the most likely outcome is a couple in the other two since solo passengers are outnumbered by couples (who will then disturb their partner rather than you). Maybe my perception is out of date though as it seems solo travel is becoming more common. If the cabin is full and the majority are single-seat bookings you're right that it doesn't make much difference.
11 Sep 2015
Total posts 270
Okay, I have to admit that is excellent reasoning! Choosing the aisle in the middle block of three seats is definitely playing to the odds that the other two seats will be occupied by a couple and the one in the middle will almost certainly go past their partner.. Very clever, I never thought of it that way!!
12 Sep 2014
Total posts 7
We flew SQPE to Delhi and Cathay from Mumbai. Cathay was miles ahead compared to SQ - better food, seating and dedicated toilets - SQ needs to lift their game
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