SINGAPORE- One of the world’s best airline, Singapore Airlines (SQ) is moving ahead with one of its largest cabin modernization programmes, covering 41 Airbus A350-900 aircraft and introducing new First Class and Business Class products.
The S$1.1 billion programme will also refresh Premium Economy, Economy and the KrisWorld inflight entertainment system.
The project was originally scheduled to enter its first phase in the second quarter of 2026, but Singapore Airlines has pushed the launch into 2027 because of industry-wide supply chain constraints and certification delays affecting one of the new seats.
The revised schedule means passengers will have to wait longer before the redesigned cabins begin appearing on the carrier’s long-haul network.
Singapore Airlines A350 Retrofit Plan
The retrofit covers 34 long-haul Airbus A350-900s and seven A350-900ULRs. Singapore Airlines will carry out the work through SIA Engineering Company in Singapore, with the overall programme still targeted for completion by the end of 2030.
The standard A350-900s will retain 42 Business Class and 24 Premium Economy seats while increasing Economy capacity to 192 seats.
The seven ultra-long-range aircraft will receive four First Class seats, 70 Business Class seats and 58 Premium Economy seats, creating a new premium configuration for the aircraft that currently do not offer First Class.
Singapore Airlines New Premium Cabins
Singapore Airlines plans to introduce an entirely new Business Class seat across all 41 aircraft, with the airline highlighting greater privacy, comfort and convenience.
The product is also intended to become a long-term flagship cabin and will eventually be used on the carrier’s Boeing 777-9 aircraft.
The new First Class product will be exclusive to the seven A350-900ULRs during the retrofit programme.
The aircraft will feature four First Class seats, while Singapore Airlines has also indicated that the product will eventually be installed on the Boeing 777-9, which is expected to carry six First Class seats.
2027 Launch Timeline
Singapore Airlines now expects its first retrofitted A350-900 long-haul aircraft to enter service in the first quarter of 2027, rather than the previously planned second quarter of 2026.
The A350-900ULR retrofit will follow, although the airline has said it will provide a further update on that aircraft at the appropriate time.
The carrier has also confirmed that it plans to unveil its enhanced travel experience later in 2026. The programme will include new long-haul First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy products, an upgraded dining experience, next-generation KrisWorld and refreshed cabin amenities.
For passengers, the most significant change will be the arrival of the new premium cabins on the A350 fleet.
With 41 aircraft included in the programme and completion still planned for 2030, Singapore Airlines is positioning the retrofit as a long-term transformation of its long-haul onboard experience, OMAAT flagged.
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