Singapore Airlines to unveil new seats on the Airbus A350

After years of rolling delays on the forthcoming Boeing 777-9, Singapore Airlines will instead feature its brand-new long-haul cabin update on some of its existing Airbus A350-900s. Expect new First Class seats on select planes and redesigned Business Class seats across the long-haul fleet.

Mr Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines, reveals the S$1.1 billion refurbishment will kick off sometime in 2026, with the first refreshed jet to re-enter service in the second quarter of 2026.

“The new First Class and Business Class seat designs will incorporate thoughtful elements that push the boundaries of comfort, luxury, and modernity, allowing our customers to relax or work effortlessly on board.”

In total, 41 of the airline’s Airbus A350s will sport the refreshed cabins – consisting of its seven Airbus A350-900 ultra-long-range (ULR) planes and 34 of its Airbus A350-900s with the long-haul configuration. Its remaining Airbus A350s with the regional (medium-haul) layout will remain untouched, for now.

New First Class for New York

Singapore Airlines’ ultra-long-range Airbus A350s fly between Singapore and a range of US destinations, including New York JFK. (Incidentally, SIN-JFK is the longest flight in the world.)

These seven flagship jets will see a surge in premium seating with the introduction of four new First Class suites, which the airline promises will ‘deliver an unparalleled in-flight experience’. The Business Class cabin will swell from 67 to 70, but Premium Economy takes a cut from 94 to 58 seats.

As for the other long-haul jets, which dart between the wider Singapore Airlines network to Europe, Africa and beyond, there’s no change in the number of Business Class and Premium Economy seats after the refit. Instead, Economy will see an increase in five seats, indicating the new premium cabin will be more space-efficient than before.

Singapore Airlines promises to release more details in the coming months. But for now, we know the Business and First Class seats are designed from the ground up. If the teaser video is anything to go by, it looks like Singapore Airlines is putting a huge emphasis on style.

Of course, it would be safe to wager the seats will also feature the latest in technology such as larger, Bluetooth-enabled entertainment screens. A new version of the KrisWorld inflight entertainment system is also touted to feature ‘great personalisation and an extensive range of lifestyle options’.

As for the other cabins, Mr Goh says ‘Premium Economy Class and Economy Class customers can also look forward to refreshed cabin interiors that enhance their travel experience.’

What do you want to see in Singapore Airlines’ new Business and First Class on the Airbus A350?

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Cabin renders courtesy of Singapore Airlines.