Where you’ll find SIA’s long-haul Business Class seats on short-haul flights in 2019

Like most airlines, SIA sticks quite closely to the principle that the longer the flight, the better the seat types offered in its premium cabins. That’s why flights to and from close-by destinations almost always feature either the 2009 or 2018 Regional Business Class seats, with the former gradually being replaced by the latter.

However there are a number of shorter routes where you’ll find the long-haul seat products, as fleet utilisation requirements often mean ‘plugging gaps’ in the schedule with aircraft normally used for flights to the likes of Europe, Australia and the USA.

We decided to take a look at where you’ll find these hidden gems not only in the current schedule, but right through the rest of the year and to March 2020.

SIA’s long-haul Business Class seats

Singapore Airlines flies three different types of long-haul Business Class seat in its fleet, and these are the ones we are focusing on in this article.

2006 Business Class

	2006 J
Seat
Config	1-2-1
Width	34″
Recline	180o
Bed Length	76″
IFE
Screen Size	15.4″ SD
Power Source	1 UNI + 2 USB Sockets
Wi-Fi	A380  777-200ER (first 30MB free for Business Class passengers)

(Photo: Daniel Gillaspia)

The super-wide, but somewhat dated 2006 Business Class seat splits opinions these days. There is no Business Class seat in the SIA fleet offering a more generous width, indeed only one First Class seat installed by the airline, the 2013 F product, offers a slightly wider option.

The downside here is more limited storage space than the latest Business Class products, with the exception of window seats on the A380 which benefit from a large storage bin, but perhaps more then anything it’s wear and tear.

These seats have seen better days, with scuffs and marks now a common sight as they head towards eventual replacement.

If you haven’t tried it out before though, or simply love this seat and want to fly it before retirement date, there are a host of sub-6-hour routes where you’ll find it flying in 2019.

2013 Business Class

	2013 J (read our review)
Seat
Config	1-2-1
Width	28″
Recline	180o
Bed Length	78″
IFE
Screen Size	18″ HD
Power Source	1 UNI + 2 USB Sockets
Wi-Fi	(first 30MB free for Business Class passengers)

(Photo: MainlyMiles)

The 2017 Business Class seat on the new and refitted A380s may be our new favourite following our review in 2018, but it only just pips the excellent 2013 Business Class seat, which you’ll find on all 777-300ERs and, in a slightly tighter fit, on a large batch of A350s too (the ‘Standard’ and ‘ULR’ configurations).

2017 Business Class

	2017 J (read our review)
Seat
Config	1-2-1
Width	25″
Recline	180o
Bed Length	78″
IFE
Screen Size	18″ HD
Power Source	1 UNI + 2 USB Sockets
Wi-Fi	(first 30MB free for Business Class passengers)

(Photo: MainlyMiles)

Probably the ‘slowest appearing’ new Business Class product in Singapore Airlines, these 2017 seats were fitted to the latest five brand new A380 aircraft which joined the fleet between late 2017 and mid-2018.

There was then something of a hiatus while we awaited the first of the older A380s to undergo refit work with these new cabin products, the first of which (9V-SKS) only recently came back into service, initially allowing double-daily Sydney flights with the 2017 seats.

Later this summer though that first refit will help you experience this new cabin on two shorter routes, with Mumbai and Delhi both being added to the ‘2017 J’ roster as a result.

Of course this article is about long-haul Business Class seats, but it goes without saying you can also try out the latest 2017 Suites on these routes too. For a full list of where the A380s with these latest products are flying across the SIA network, check our continually updated tracker page.

Which aircraft have which seats?

• 2006 Business Class: fitted to 13 older A380s (v1 and v2) and all 777-200ERs
• 2013 Business Class: fitted to 21 A350 (Standard) aircraft, 7 A350 ULR aircraft and all 777-300ERs
• 2017 Business Class: exclusive to 6 A380v3 aircraft

Why is it important?

Simply put, these seats the goal of most KrisFlyer miles addicts in Singapore; big, spacious, private and alongside the excellent on-board service, a great way to fly.

Take a look at our reviews of the 2013 Business Class seat on the A350 and the 2017 Business Class seat on the A380 to get an idea what kind of treat you’re in for if you haven’t flown these products before.

Where do they fly?

You don’t have to be flying all the way to London, Sydney, Tokyo or New York to fly in one of these seats, around 1,700 of them fly every day on over 30 separate flights lasting less than 6 hours.

Remember we’re not looking at the Regional Business Class seats, as you’d expect those to be flying on regional routes. We’re also not looking at where you’ll find these seats on longer flights, again you’d expect to see them in those cases.

What we’re looking at here is where you can secure these three long-haul products across the SIA network on flights of less than 6 hours.

There are eight routes that fall into that criteria, as shown in the map above. Let’s take a look at what seat types are flying where, and when, through the rest of the northern winter 2019 schedule, ending in March 2020.

KrisFlyer rates (Business Class)
Saver:	21,500 miles
Advantage:	40,000 miles

Flight schedules (2006 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ972	SIN > BKK	0935	1105	772 ER	1 Jul to 31 Aug and 27 Oct to 29 Feb
SQ975	BKK > SIN	1215	1540	772 ER	1 Jul to 31 Aug and 27 Oct to 29 Feb
SQ974	SIN > BKK	1310	1435	772 ER	From 1 Feb
SQ977	BKK > SIN	1540	1915	772 ER	From 1 Feb

You can pick up the 2006 Business Class seats to and from Bangkok on SQ972/975 during all of July and August 2019, then again from 27th October 2019 to 29th February 2020.

Next year an additional flight pair, SQ974/977, also gets these long-haul seats from 1st February 2020 to at least the end of the northern winter schedule.

KrisFlyer rates (Business Class)
Saver:	39,000 miles
Advantage:	65,000 miles

Flight schedules (2006 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ406	SIN > DEL	1650	2010	388	Until 30 Jun and From 1 Sep
SQ403	DEL > SIN	2145	0615 (+1)	388	Until 30 Jun and From 1 Sep

Only a few days left this month to fly the 2006 Business Class seats to and from Delhi on the A380 Version 2. These are operating on flight SQ406/403 until the end of June, but if it sounds like one you want to try, never fear!

These seats make a return on the same flight pairing from 1st September 2019, courtesy of the A380 Version 1, until at least the end of the northern winter schedule.

Flight schedules (2013 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ406	SIN > DEL	1650	2010	388	1 Jul to 31 Jul
SQ403	DEL > SIN	2145	0615 (+1)	388	1 Jul to 31 Jul

The 777-300ER picks up the same Delhi flights discussed above during July 2019, with the 2013 J seats in Business Class.

Flight schedules (2017 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ406	SIN > DEL	1650	2010	388	1 Aug to 31 Aug
SQ403	DEL > SIN	2145	0615 (+1)	388	1 Aug to 31 Aug

Finally the very latest long-haul seat on the A380 Version 3 (2017 J) makes an appearance on the Delhi route during all of August 2019. This will be the first time the product has been regularly scheduled on an India flight.

KrisFlyer rates (Business Class)
Saver:	21,500 miles
Advantage:	40,000 miles

Flight schedules (2006 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ184	SIN > SGN	1330	1440	772 ER	2 Aug to 26 Oct
SQ183	SGN > SIN	1555	1855	772 ER	2 Aug to 26 Oct

You can fly the 2006 J seat on the short flight from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh and back for three months this summer, from 2nd August to 26th October, on board the 777-200ER.

Note that this lunchtime / afternoon flight is five times per week – it doesn’t operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

KrisFlyer rates (Business Class)
Saver:	30,500 miles
Advantage:	50,000 miles

Flight schedules (2006 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ868	SIN > HKG	1955	2350	772 ER	Until 26 Oct
SQ857	HKG > SIN	0905	1305	772 ER	Until 27 Oct

Between now and 26th October 2019 the last Singapore Airlines flight of the day to Hong Kong (SQ868) is flown by the 777-200ER with 2006 J seats. The aircraft ‘sleeps’ in Hong Kong overnight before operating back the following day as SQ857, making that morning flight good for these wide long-haul seats until 27th October 2019.

Flight schedules (2013 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ860	SIN > HKG	0840	1240	359	All
SQ863	HKG > SIN	1425	1820	359	All
SQ866	SIN > HKG	1305	1705	77W	All
SQ865	HKG > SIN	1850	2240	77W	All
SQ2	SIN > HKG	1830	2215	77W	All
SQ1	HKG > SIN	0800	1150	77W	All

There are three year-round daily flights to and from Hong Kong with the 2013 J seat installed. Just pick SQ860/863, SQ866/865 or SQ1/2 to get your long-haul Business Class fix on this 4-hour flight.

Flight schedules (2017 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ856	SIN > HKG	0955	1355	388	All
SQ861	HKG > SIN	1540	1935	388	All

As most of our readers will know, Hong Kong was one of the first routes for the new A380 Version 3 aircraft. You can therefore still find these latest 2017 J seats flying daily on the SQ856/861 flights, the shortest flight and lowest miles cost opportunity on the network to try it out.

KrisFlyer rates (Business Class)
Saver:	19,000 miles
Advantage:	35,000 miles

Flight schedules (2006 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ968	SIN > CGK	2155	2240	772 ER	Until 30 Jun
SQ951	CGK > SIN	0525	0810	772 ER	Until 1 Jul

Only a few days left to take advantage of this one – the 777-200ER is still making the last flight of the day down to Jakarta with 2006 J seats, then operating the (painfully early) first flight up to Singapore in the morning.

You’ll have to travel by 30th June (or back by 1st July) to take advantage though, before this flight shifts back to the 777-300 with older regional seats.

Don’t despair though, here are the year-round 2013 Business Class options on the Jakarta route.

Flight schedules (2013 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ956	SIN > CGK	0925	1210	359	All
SQ957	CGK > SIN	1115	1405	359	All
SQ962	SIN > CGK	1625	1710	359	All
SQ963	CGK > SIN	1805	2055	359	All

Two Jakarta flights in each direction per day are fitted with the 2013 J Business Class seats, and currently these operate year-round as shown in the table above.

This gives you both a morning and afternoon option from Singapore, and a late morning then evening service from Jakarta to choose from.

KrisFlyer rates (Business Class)
Saver:	19,000 miles
Advantage:	35,000 miles

Flight schedules (2013 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ118	SIN > KUL	1840	1940	359	From 27 Oct
SQ119	KUL > SIN	2030	2130	359	From 27 Oct

During the northern winter season Singapore Airlines is flying a 3-class A350 with the 2013 J seats every day on one of the evening Kuala Lumpur flights (SQ118/119).

KrisFlyer rates (Business Class)
Saver:	21,500 miles
Advantage:	40,000 miles

Flight schedules (2006 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ912	SIN > MNL	1200	1535	772 ER	Until 30 Sep
SQ919	MNL > SIN	1640	2020	772 ER	Until 30 Sep
SQ916	SIN > MNL	1350	1725	772 ER	From 1 Oct
SQ921	MNL > SIN	1830	2220	772 ER	From 1 Oct

One of the daily Manila flights each day is flown on the 777-200ER with 2006 J seats. Until 30th September 2019 this is the SQ912/919, but the following day from 1st October 2019 it shifts to SQ916/921, remaining this way through the end of the northern winter season.

KrisFlyer rates (Business Class)
Saver:	39,000 miles
Advantage:	65,000 miles

Flight schedules (2006 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ426	SIN > BOM	1800	2115	772 ER	From 27 Oct
SQ425	BOM > SIN	2250	0650 (+1)	772 ER	From 27 Oct

It’s the northern winter season before you’ll see the 2006 J seat on the Mumbai route, with a daily 777-200ER flight running as SQ426/425 until the end of the published schedule.

Flight schedules (2013 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ422	SIN > BOM	0740	1030	359	All
SQ421	BOM > SIN	1145	1950	359	All
SQ424	SIN > BOM	1900	2210	77W	Until 31 Aug
SQ423	BOM > SIN	2340	0740 (+1)	77W	Until 31 Aug

The daily morning flight to Mumbai, returning the same afternoon (SQ422/421) is flown year-round with the A350 equipped with 2013 J seats.

The late evening flight, SQ424/423, which returns from Mumbai overnight, also has the 2013 J seats on the 777-300ER until the end of August 2019, after which it is replaced with the latest A380 seats.

Flight schedules (2017 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ424	SIN > BOM	1900	2210	388	From 1 Sep
SQ423	BOM > SIN	2340	0740 (+1)	388	From 1 Sep

The A380 Version 3 flies year-round to Mumbai from 1st September 2019 onwards, with the new 2017 J seats.

Note: This is by far the most wide-open saver redemption opportunity we’ve seen for those wanting to try the new A380 Suites!

KrisFlyer rates (Business Class)
Saver:	39,000 miles
Advantage:	65,000 miles

Flight schedules (2006 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ832	SIN > PVG	1245	1805	772 ER	Until 31 Jul
SQ835	PVG > SIN	1910	0030 (+1)	772 ER	Until 31 Jul

A relatively short window to fly the 2006 J seat on the Shanghai route, between now and 31st July 2019 you can experience this seat daily on the SQ832/835 flight pairing.

This route also features the 2013 J and 2017 J seats as you’ll see below.

Flight schedules (2013 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ828	SIN > PVG	0805	1325	77W	All
SQ831	PVG > SIN	1430	1950	77W	All
SQ836	SIN > PVG	1725	2245	77W	All
SQ825	PVG > SIN	0035	0555	77W	All

The 777-300ER with 2013 J seats flies two rotations per day on the Shanghai route all year round. You’ll need to pick SQ828/831 or SQ836/825 for these seat types.

Flight schedules (2017 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ830	SIN > PVG	0945	1505	388	All
SQ833	PVG > SIN	1650	2220	388	All

Finally Shanghai gets a year-round daily A380 Version 3 with 2017 J seats on flights SQ830/833.

KrisFlyer rates (Business Class)
Saver:	30,500 miles
Advantage:	35,000 miles

Flight schedules (2013 J seats)
Flt No.	Route	Dep	Arr	A/c	Dates
SQ362	DME > ARN	0715	0835	359	All
SQ361	ARN > DME	1015	1330	359	All

Bit of a wildcard here, we’d love to hear whether any of our readers can take advantage of this five times weekly 2 hour 20 minute hop in a 3-class A350 (in isolation from its connecting route through to Singapore), but we doubt many people do.

Nonetheless if flying between Russia and Sweden ever comes up on your radar as an option, don’t forget this one. It’s poor value as a redemption though, with cash fares from S$470 one-way.

Spontaneous Escapes

The beauty of many of these shorter routes, for those making short-term travel plans, is that they often appear in the monthly KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes deal.

In this month’s offer, good for bookings over the next 3 days for travel in July 2019, the 2006 J seat has a 30% miles discount on the Bangkok and Manila routes, while you’ll find the 2013 J seat for 30% less on flights to and from Delhi and Shanghai.

Finally the very latest 2017 J seat has a 30% discount to and from Shanghai.

These usually translate to excellent deals on seats otherwise found only on long-haul Singapore Airlines flights.

Changes and substitutions can occur

The data for this information is based on GDS timetables and programmed seat layouts and is correct at 27th June 2019.

While some routes and aircraft types shown above are regular year-round services, many of the 777-200ER aircraft (with 2006 Business Class seats) are set to leave the fleet over the next year, so some of those flights are likely to change to the new 2018 Regional Business Class seats.

Do bear in mind that the list may not be 100% up to date at all times and Singapore Airlines always reserves the right to substitute a different aircraft type last minute on any flight due to operational requirements. This can occur even on the day of operation, so you’re never guaranteed a particular seat type until you get on board.

Summary

Flying the best Singapore Airlines Business Class seats is top of the agenda for many of our readers. One great benefit is that these seats creep into the airline’s short-haul operation here and there, for optimal aircraft utilisation.

Flying off to Paris or London sounds great, but if you don’t have the miles or you don’t have the time to spare, you can still get that jet-set long-haul Business Class feeling for a lot less miles, in a lot less time, by taking advantage of these shorter routes.

Remember we don’t just have full details of these flights, our Business Class Seats by Route page shows you the aircraft and seat type scheduled on all Singapore Airlines routes between now and March 2020, and is continually updated with any changes. Check it out before planning your next trip.

Have you flown one of SIA’s long-haul Business Class seats on a flight of less than 6 hours, or are you planning to this year? Let us know in the comments section below.

(Cover Photo: MainlyMiles)