A new schedule update today sees Singapore Airlines revealing another destination set to be served with 2018 Regional Business Class product, with four times weekly services between Singapore and Kolkata switching from the A330 to the A350 Regional aircraft from 3rd June 2019.
Earlier that day, the same aircraft will be used to replace a 777-200 (currently flying with the 2006 J seats) on one of four daily services between Singapore and Perth, a route already served by the new 2018 RJ product on the 787-10.
Perth schedule (daily)
The current Singapore Airlines flight schedule between Singapore and Perth features a mixture of the 2009 Regional Business Class seats (2 flights per day, A330), the 2018 Regional Business Class seats (1 flight per day, 787-10) and the 2006 long-haul Business Class seats (1 flight per day, 777-200ER).
Until 2nd June 2019
| Flight | From / To | Aircraft | Days |
| SQ225 | SIN0005 – PER0515 | 333 | 2009 RJ |
| SQ213 | SIN0740 – PER1250 | 772 | 2006 J* |
| SQ223 | SIN0930 – PER1440 | 333 | 2009 RJ |
| SQ215 | SIN1845 – PER2355 | 787 | 2018 RJ |
| SQ216 | PER0110 – SIN0635 | 787 | 2018 RJ |
| SQ224 | PER0625 – SIN1145 | 333 | 2009 RJ |
| SQ226 | PER1405 – SIN1935 | 772 | 2006 J* |
| SQ214 | PER1710 – SIN2235 | 333 | 2009 RJ |
* Except 1st & 2nd June 2019 (2009 RJ seats operate)
After a very brief stint for the first two days in June, when SQ213/226 flies with the 2009 RJ seats, that flight pairing then gets the 2018 RJ product using the A350-900 Regional from 3rd June 2019 onwards, as highlighted below.
From 3rd June 2019
| Flight | From / To | Aircraft | Seats |
| SQ225 | SIN0005 – PER0515 | 333 | 2009 RJ |
| SQ213 | SIN0740 – PER1250 | 359 | 2018 RJ |
| SQ223 | SIN0930 – PER1440 | 333 | 2009 RJ |
| SQ215 | SIN1845 – PER2355 | 787 | 2018 RJ |
| SQ216 | PER0110 – SIN0635 | 787 | 2018 RJ |
| SQ224 | PER0625 – SIN1145 | 333 | 2009 RJ |
| SQ226 | PER1405 – SIN1935 | 359 | 2018 RJ |
| SQ214 | PER1710 – SIN2235 | 333 | 2009 RJ |
This will give Perth a 50/50 split between the older and newer Regional Business Class seats for the rest of 2019, not discounting the possibility that another (or both) A330 services could also switch across to the A350 or 787-10 before year end.
The northbound Perth – Singapore route will then have both a daytime and overnight option with the new seats, while the Singapore – Perth flights get a new early morning option to supplement the evening 787 flight, but unfortunately still retain the older seats on the sole overnight flight (SQ225).
Kolkata schedule
Currently Singapore Airlines is operating four flights per week to Kolkata on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays using the A330. SilkAir ‘plugs the gap’ on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays using the 737-800 with identical timings.
Until 2nd June 2019
| Flight | From / To | Aircraft | Days |
| SQ516 | SIN2100 – CCU2235 | 333 | 1·3·56· |
| SQ517 | CCU2350 – SIN0640* | 333 | 1·3·56· |
* Next day
From 3rd June the four times weekly SIA flights switch to the A350 Regional variant, with the new 2018 RJ seats, as highlighted below.
From 3rd June 2019
| Flight | From / To | Aircraft | Days |
| SQ516 | SIN2100 – CCU2235 | 359 | 1·3·56· |
| SQ517 | CCU2350 – SIN0640* | 359 | 1·3·56· |
* Next day
The new Regional Business Class
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last year, you’ll probably be well aware that Singapore Airlines is rapidly rolling out its latest Regional Business Class seats on the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787.
These seats convert to fully flat beds and enjoy 100% direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 configuration.
Though they are a bit narrower than some of the other Business Class seats in the fleet (especially the 2006 J being replaced on the Perth route), we think they are leaps and bounds ahead of the 2009 RJ seats, which have a dated 2-2-2 layout and convert to angled beds.
Click here to read our full review of the 2018 Regional Business Class (787-10)
We haven’t tried the new seats on the A350 yet, but we will be on board later this year. Friends have already told us they compare favourably to the same product on the 787-10, benefiting from more space around the seats due to the wider cabin on the A350.
Summary
More A350 Regional aircraft are arriving in the Singapore Airlines fleet throughout 2019, with the next six A350 deliveries confirmed to be this two-class variant.
Perth was one of the first routes to receive the new Regional Business Class product in May 2018 with the 787-10, and this second daily flight offering the new seats will be welcome news to those flying regularly on this route.
Even if customers enjoyed the space of the 2006 J long-haul seats, which are being replaced on the SQ213/226 pairing, the A350 benefits from much newer cabin finishes, upgraded IFE and in-flight Wi-Fi.
Kolkata becomes the 19th SIA route to receive the new 2018 RJ seats, with a total of 215 weekly departures from Singapore featuring the new product from June 2019.
We have updated our 2018 RJ Tracker Page with the latest information, showing you where you can find these new Business Class seats on the SIA network route by route, flight number by flight number.
Great write up just discovered your page and have to stay I’m very impressed
And I have my fingers crossed that the SQ 214 / SQ 223 pairing will switch to a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, together with the SQ 224 / SQ 225 pairing switching to an Airbus A350 Regional in the near future.
I’m booked on A350 to Jakarta on Y, and the seat map shows 4 rows of PY but greyed out, so this is the long haul 350. First time flying Y on this aircraft – any idea how they allocate those seats? I’m sure they sell those as economy as I can’t imagine they would let 32 seats fly empty.
Just got an email today informing me of a seat change as my SQ223 flight in October has just been changed to an A350 😬
Thanks, yes the SQ223/214 rotation is switching across to the A350 Regional from 1st July. We have an article on this being published today.