SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) will spend S$1.1 billion to retrofit 41 Airbus A350-900 long-haul and ultra-long-range aircraft with newer cabin products.
Under a multi-year retrofit programme, the airline will introduce a first-class cabin in seven planes that are ultra-long-range aircraft, SIA said in a note on Monday (Nov 4).
The new business-class seats, to be installed in all 41 aircraft, will feature innovative designs that offer greater privacy, comfort and convenience. Premium-economy class and economy-class cabins will also be upgraded, added the group.
Post-retrofit, 34 A350-900 long-haul aircraft will be configured with 42 business-class seats, 24 premium-economy class seats, and 192 economy-class seats.
The seven aircraft that are the ultra-long-range variant – for flights lasting 16 hours or more – will comprise four first-class seats, 70 business-class seats and 58 premium-economy class seats.
The aircraft will be furnished by aircraft maintenance provider SIA Engineering.
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The first retrofitted A350-900 long-haul aircraft is expected to enter service in the second quarter of 2026, while the first ultra-long-range variant will begin in the first quarter of 2027.
SIA expects the entire retrofitting programme to be completed by the end of 2030.
Under the programme, SIA will also launch a refreshed in-flight entertainment system, which will offer “greater personalisation” and “an extensive range of lifestyle options across all cabin classes”.
New in-flight entertainment screens will also be installed in first-class and business-class seats.
Goh Choon Phong, chief executive officer of SIA, said the introduction of the new seats and entertainment system will “set new standards in innovation, customer experience and service excellence”.
SIA releases its half-year financial results this Friday; SIA Engineering announces its half-year earnings on Tuesday (Nov 5).
Shares of SIA were trading 0.5 per cent or S$0.03 higher at S$6.47 as at 3.57 pm. SIA Engineering shares were up 0.8 per cent or S$0.02 at S$2.44 as at 3.43 pm on Monday.
