Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 Regional Business Class (Singapore – Perth)

There’s not much difference in Economy seats whenever you fly with Singapore Airlines. However, in Business Class, the experience is quite different across Singapore Airlines’ long-haul and medium-haul (regional) fleets.

Passengers jetting off to Perth on one of Singapore Airlines’ four daily flights will find the medium-haul Business Class seat, which flies on the Boeing 787-10 and selected Airbus A350-900s. Whilst it’s quite a bit narrower than the long-haul variants, how does it shape up for a five-hour journey?

Check-in, lounge and boarding

After staying overnight at the YotelAir Singapore Changi, I stroll over to Terminal 1 and then take the SkyTrain to Terminal 3. Business Class passengers can head to the dedicated Row 6 to check in, where the line moves swiftly.

Over at the SilverKris Lounge, it’s bustling but I can still find a table. For breakfast, I indulge in a variety of delights such as laksa, dim sum and chwee kueh (steamed rice cake with radish – it’s a hit in the unofficial Singapore Airlines fan group). Along with a glass of Charles-Heidsieck Champagne, a scoop of Thai-style coffee ice cream and an oolong tea, my morning’s off to a great start.

The boarding area can sometimes be quite a trek away (A17, in my case). Security is also done at the gate. Be sure to leave the lounge with enough time to clear those formalities.

Seat and layout

As a Perth resident who routinely uses Velocity Points and KrisFlyer miles on Singapore Airlines, I’ve grown quite familiar with the regional Business Class seat. It’s based on the Stelia Aerospace Symphony and has more of an ‘off the rack’ appearance rather than the extensively customised versions on the long-haul fleet.

Singapore Airlines’ regional Airbus A350 features 40 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 layout. Seats alternate being together and apart in the centre. And the sides, they’re either close to the window or close to the aisle. The ‘honeymoon’ centre seats and those closer to the window are usually the first to be taken.

With 20″ (50.8 cm) of width, this regional Business Class is noticeably narrower than most comparable seats. Personally, it’s not so narrow that I’m uncomfortable, but I can see how other travellers might feel boxed in.

The rest of the seat ticks the boxes, particularly for a 5-hour flight. The seat can electronically recline into a lie-flat bed (190 cm long). On the side console, you’ll find a storage nook with a door, the seat controls and the touchscreen inflight entertainment remote. A large privacy wing houses some angled reading lights.

In the fully upright position, I can extend my legs into the lower footwell. It also doubles as an extra storage space for bags or shoes during the flight. In lie-flat mode, I find it’s more comfortable to sleep on my side.

Food and beverage

Bar and canapé

With a 9:30 am departure, I’m quite glad that we’re served an impressive four-course lunch instead of breakfast. There is one concession though – the usual Champagne and Bellinis make way for juices and water before take-off. But once we’re up in the air, the service (and full menu) begins in earnest.

Once we’re in the air, the crew come around to take drink orders and I just can’t resist going for the classic Singapore Sling. It’s a sweet and tangy counterpoint to Singapore chicken satay canapé which arrives minutes later, smothered in a rich spicy peanut sauce and accompanied with rice cakes and onion.

Lunch service

Next up is the appetiser of silken chicken salad. The chilled, perfectly poached slices of chicken breast are served on a bed of crunchy slaw with sesame, miso and honey dressing. This is wholesome food.

The crew member looking after me suggests a wine pairing. Aptly, it’s a 2022 Chardonnay from Deep Woods Estate in Western Australia’s Margaret River region. I happily accept a generous refill when it’s time for the main course.

As usual, I pick something off the extensive ‘Book the Cook’ menu. There are intriguing new options that I’ll need to explore another time, such as Gyu Yakiniku (grilled slices of Wagyu beef on rice) and Suzuki Teriyaki (grilled Chilean bass in a savoury teriyaki sauce).

But I haven’t had the Lobster Thermidor for a few years now, so that’s my choice for today. Depending on how it’s cooked and presented, this dish can be hit or miss, but I’m happy to say it’s an absolute home run this time. The generous chunks of lobster are still springy and the potato fondant is wonderfully creamy.

For dessert, I can’t go past my usual combination of a plate of fresh fruits and a sweet treat – a namelaka chocolate slice that’s more like an ice-cream cake covered in chocolate flakes. There’s also a cheese plate.

The pacing for lunch is a tad slow, but that’s not unexpected on a daytime flight of this length. For what it’s worth, I’ve also had the same observation in Qantas Business Class on this route.

Onboard amenities

The 18″ touchscreen offers Singapore Airlines’ latest KrisWorld system laden with new-release movies, TV box seats, games and audio. I like the addition of the touchscreen remote which makes it easier to control the system while lying down, and also provides easy flight updates at a glance.

If your travel is geared more toward work than leisure, an AC power point and two high-speed USB charging ports in the console will keep your gadgets topped up. Business Class passengers enjoy free Wi-Fi which performs steadily throughout the flight. I measure 11.5 Mbps down and 1.38 Mbps up.

There’s no amenity kit provided on flights under six hours, but there are Penhaligon’s products in the lavatory (I use the facial mist and hand lotion regularly). Other essentials, such as dental kits, are available as well.

How to book this flight with points

Singapore Airlines is quite generous with reward seats on this route. If you book far enough in advance with KrisFlyer miles, it’s possible to nab up to six Business Saver awards on the same flight.

You can also use Velocity Points, Aeroplan Points, and the points/miles of other Star Alliance and partner airlines to book this flight. However, availability will differ between partners.

• KrisFlyer: 40,500 miles + S$88.2
• Velocity: 55,000 pts + A$240
  • From 21 January 2025: 60,000 pts + ~A$286 due to increase in points and carrier charges
• Aeroplan: 45,000 pts + CA$132

Our verdict: Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 Regional Business Class

Five hours really doesn’t feel that long when you have a comprehensive four-course meal, quality entertainment and reasonably fast Wi-Fi at your fingertips. The regional seat is the narrowest Business Class in the Singapore Airlines fleet (even the Boeing 737s are wider), and I think the reduction in space would be noticeable on a longer flight.

But I’ve flown this seat between Singapore and Perth numerous times, including daytime and overnight red-eyes, and I feel it’s fine for a flight of this length. There’s enough space to stretch out and the lie-flat bed is quite comfortable – although it would be better if there was a mattress topper, which Qantas provides on the Perth-Singapore route.

Those points aside, Singapore Airlines’ excellent service and inflight offerings make this trip to Perth an enjoyable one.

Photography by Brandon Loo, who travelled as a guest of Singapore Airlines.

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