Singapore Airlines Reveals New Long-Haul Cabins for A350-900 and 777-9

Singapore Airlines’ next long-haul cabin generation brings its biggest changes to First and Business Class, while adding new seats and entertainment features in Premium Economy and Economy. The airline says the products will enter service from the second half of 2027, first on its new Boeing 777-9 aircraft and on retrofitted Airbus A350-900s.

SIA is investing more than S$2 billion in the four cabin products. The programme covers 41 A350-900 aircraft in long-haul and ultra-long-range (ULR) configurations, as well as the new 777-9 fleet. On the A350-900 long-haul aircraft, the refit will bring the new Business Class seat. The A350-900ULR will also gain First Class for the first time. The 777-9 will carry the new First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.

The cabin work is one part of a wider travel experience update. Earlier this fall, SIA introduced new in-flight food and beverage options and amenity kits. It also says Starlink connectivity will be available on A380s, A350-900 long-haul aircraft and A350-900ULRs. SilverKris lounges worldwide are due for updates, with a Private Room-style dining experience planned for the First Class lounge. Details of the dining and amenity changes are available here and here.

SIA says research with more than 5,000 frequent travellers, customers, staff and industry experts informed the designs. The work included focus groups, interviews, surveys and concept testing focused on how people use their time on board. The airline identified privacy, comfort, flexible personal space and easier-to-use features as recurring priorities. Design firms PriestmanGoode, Designworks and Factorydesign worked on First, Business, and the two economy cabins respectively. Collins Aerospace is producing the First, Premium Economy and Economy seats; RECARO Aircraft Seating is supplying Business Class.

“Each cabin has been designed individually,” said Lee Lik Hsin, SIA’s chief commercial officer, while describing a shared aim of giving customers more control over how they work, dine, relax and rest. The aircraft schedule and cabin allocation make the rollout especially relevant to A350-900 and 777-9 operators: customers on the A350-900 long-haul fleet will see a Business Class change, while the ULR variant adds a new premium cabin alongside its Business Class refit.

First Class adds a shared centre space

On the 777-9 and A350-900ULR, SIA’s new First Class is built around enclosed individual suites and a flexible pair of centre seats. Curved sliding doors and walls define each space, while a retractable divider between the centre seats lets travelling companions open up a shared area for meals or conversation.

Each individual bed measures 80 inches long and 30 inches wide. The two centre seats can move together to form a sofa for daytime use, or convert into a double bed measuring 80 inches long and 60 inches wide. SIA describes that as the largest double bed in commercial aviation. A large table supports companion dining and can also serve as a work surface.

The seat uses Poltrona Frau leather and has electronic adjustment for the side wings, upper and lower lumbar support, armrests, leg rest and ottoman. The cabin also includes batik-patterned soft wall panels, dedicated storage and carefully managed lighting. A personal wardrobe, leather-lined vanity drawer and baggage compartment beneath the ottoman are intended to keep belongings accessible without filling the seating area.

For sleep, cabin crew will make up the full-flat bed with 100% cotton linens, a duvet and a choice of pillows. A mattress topper from German bedding specialist Paradies uses breathable spacer fabric for cushioning and temperature control. SIA also lists a batik-patterned cushion and a day blanket among the suite’s soft furnishings.

Technology is integrated into both the seat and entertainment system. Smart cabin controls linked with myKrisWorld will retain customers’ preferred seat positions and lighting settings for later trips. A touch panel shows flight duration, destination local time and weather, Wi-Fi connection status and lavatory availability. The 32-inch 4K touchscreen is paired with spatial audio, with listening through supplied Bang & Olufsen wireless headphones or compatible Bluetooth headphones. A touchscreen handset provides access to KrisWorld.

PriestmanGoode director Ben Rowan said the work involved years of collaboration on details including the batik wall panels and seat mechanisms. Collins Aerospace’s Ryan Hudson described the seat development as a balance of privacy, comfort, integrated technology and practical cabin design.

Business Class focuses on adaptability

The new Business Class seat will appear on the 777-9, A350-900 long-haul and A350-900ULR. It combines a full-flat bed, adjustable privacy and a footwell designed to give customers more room to move while sleeping. The bed is 79 inches long and up to 24 inches wide. Selected centre seats can be set up as companion beds when the divider is lowered.

Full-grain leather, bespoke embroidery, layered textures and metallic details define the seat’s finish. Sliding doors and electronically adjustable centre dividers let customers choose more separation or open up the space when travelling with someone. The reclining system coordinates movement to support the back and legs, while tactile buttons give customers direct control over seat positions.

The table folds away at an angle, leaving a larger footwell than the current design described by SIA. A new cushion and padded bedsheet with memory foam add support; the bedsheet can also provide extra lumbar cushioning when the seat is upright. Storage compartments, a bi-fold table, wireless charging, USB-C ports and universal AC power round out the working and dining setup.

As in First Class, myKrisWorld-linked controls can remember preferred seat positions. Customers can use the main touchscreen or a separate handset to navigate KrisWorld. The handset also displays flight duration, local time and weather at the destination, Wi-Fi status and lavatory availability. Screens measure up to 22 inches and offer 4K resolution, spatial audio and Bluetooth pairing. Supplied active noise-cancelling headphones are another listening option.

Designworks chief executive Julia de Bono said the team applied automotive design principles to create a refined, lasting cabin. RECARO Aircraft Seating chief executive Mark Hiller highlighted the larger bed and ottoman, and the design’s use of space.

More personal space in Premium Economy

The new Premium Economy seat is listed for the 777-9. Its 40-inch pitch, full-grain upholstery and plush cushioning are paired with a four-way adjustable headrest, leg rest and adjustable foot rest. The layout gives customers several ways to support their posture over a long flight, though SIA has not supplied seat width or cabin layout details in the information provided.

Personal storage is intended for items such as a laptop or water bottle. A small cocktail tray offers a place for a drink or snack without opening the main table, and a device holder supports hands-free viewing on a phone or tablet. An adjustable reading light adds a separate lighting option.

The entertainment system has a touchscreen of up to 16 inches with 4K resolution and spatial audio. Customers can use supplied active noise-cancelling headphones or pair compatible Bluetooth devices, with a dedicated handset for browsing content. Charging includes USB-C and universal AC power; USB-A ports are fitted on selected aircraft.

Economy updates the long-haul basics

The 777-9 Economy seat uses wool-blend upholstery, ergonomic cushioning and a four-way adjustable headrest. SIA says a revised recline mechanism improves knee and shin clearance, a practical change for passengers spending many hours in the seat. The supplied details don’t include a seat pitch or width.

USB-C charging will be available across the aircraft covered by the product description. USB-A ports and universal AC power are available on selected aircraft. Other small features include a storage space beneath the monitor, a cupholder and a coat hook.

The 4K touchscreen entertainment system adds spatial audio and Bluetooth audio pairing. A secondary display gives a glanceable view of journey information, including Wi-Fi connection status and lavatory availability. These details echo the cabin information panels in the premium seats, while the Economy changes concentrate on comfort, charging and easier access to flight updates.

The most distinctive feature is the pair of transformable First Class centre seats; elsewhere, SIA’s programme emphasizes privacy, ergonomic adjustments and updated entertainment across the cabins. The first customer experience will depend on the planned service entry from the second half of 2027 and the gradual retrofit of 41 A350-900s. SIA’s cabin details are available here. The original coverage is linked here.