New cabin designs to enhance comfort and passenger experience, with upgrades set for completion by 2030.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced a major $1.1 billion project to retrofit 41 Airbus A350 aircraft with next-generation cabin products, with work set to be completed by the end of 2030. The upgrades will involve redesigning all cabin classes, including business, premium economy, and economy, to offer a more comfortable flying experience for passengers on long-haul and ultra-long-haul flights.
The retrofitting will be conducted by SIA Engineering Company in Singapore, with the first upgraded A350 entering service by the second quarter of 2026. The retrofitting project will cover the airline’s 34 A350-900 long-haul aircraft and its seven A350-900 Ultra-Long-Range (ULR) variants. These upgraded planes will feature new seats, including business and first-class cabins, as well as an enhanced in-flight entertainment system.
The new business class seats will offer greater privacy, with privacy doors similar to those on Qatar Airways’ Qsuite, and the first class cabins will provide a more luxurious experience with companion travel options beyond just double beds. The premium economy cabins will also receive updates, although specific details are yet to be revealed.
SIA’s retrofitting plans come as the airline continues to wait for the delayed delivery of its Boeing 777-9 jets, which were initially slated for delivery in 2021. The delays in the production of the new Boeing jets have prompted SIA to accelerate the A350 upgrades, ensuring the continued comfort and satisfaction of its long-haul passengers.
