Singapore Airlines to reveal new first class suites, business & economy seats
By David Flynn, July 8 2013
Singapore Airlines has launcheds its new first class suites and business class seats, and we've got all the details. Click the links below to read our reports.
Photos: Singapore Airlines' new first class
Photos: Singapore Airlines' new business class
Video: Singapore Airlines' new first, business & economy seats
PREVIOUS | Singapore Airlines will unveil today what it calls its "next generation" of seats to be fitted tip to tail in its long-distance international fleet.
In addition to a new version of its first class suites and business class seats, a new design for SQ's economy seats will also be revealed at a global media launch beginning at 10am Singapore time (12 noon EST) at the JetQuay private aviation terminal at Singapore's Changi Airport.
The new seats will be accompanied by a refresh of the airline's KrisWorld inflight entertainment system.
The seats are expected to debut on Singapore Airlines' latest Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, with first flights tipped for September, and will also feature on SQ's forthcoming Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-10 jets.
The Singaporean flag-carrier has 70 of the fuel-efficient A350s and 50 Boeing 787s on order as the centrepiece of its fleet leading into the next decade, as the airline faces continued competition from the aggressive Gulf carriers of Emirates, Etihad and Qatar.
As previously reported by Australian Business Traveller, all eyes will be on Singapore Airlines' ultra-luxe first class suites, which have been reimagined by BMW's Designworks USA outfit and come as SQ faces increased competition from Middle East airlines in the premium travel market.
But business travellers will also be paying close attention to SQ's all-new business class seats. These have been designed by James Park Associates, which created the airline's current business class seat as well as Cathay Pacific's highly-regarded new business class.
SQ's flagship A380 business class benches: what will the next gen bring?
The new business class seats retain a forward-facing design rather than adopting the angled and staggered herringbone layout being adopted by many airlines.
However, the design will provide more storage for pieces of personal carry-on kit such as mobile phones, iPods and reading glasses, and is also said to offer increased privacy.
Singapore Airlines has earlier said it would target "improved comfort in both seating and sleeping positions" on the new business class seats, which some passengers criticise for a lack of relaxing positions and being too wide to let them get properly comfortable.
Tomorrow at 10am Singapore time we'll see if SQ can deliver. Australian Business Traveller will cover the event live on Twitter on Twitter – we're @AusBT – and file stories throughout the day to profile the new seats.
Australian Business Traveller is attending the launch of Singapore Airlines' new seats in Singapore as a guest of Singapore Airlines.
Follow Australian Business Traveller on twitter: we're @AusBT
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.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Oct 2012
Total posts 130
Pure class well done SQ.
25 Jan 2012
Total posts 29
I struggle to understand how a seat can be too wide??
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Jan 2012
Total posts 172
Having travelled on the SQ A380 in Business Class, I can understand the too wide comments. The seat is very wide, but has no real "snuggle" setting. So it can go into a mild recline position, but there is nothing comfortable on the side to lean into - a bit like lying back on a plank. If you move to the side of the seat, it is the hard plastic divider/screen that you leave onto.
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