Analysis KrisFlyer Singapore Airlines

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

You don't need to fly long-haul, or part with excessive KrisFlyer miles, to fly in Singapore Airlines' best Business Class seats

SQ 77W J (MM)

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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 (Daniel Gillaspia).jpg
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 Tick A380
Cross 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

12Aoverview
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 Tick
(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

96K.jpg
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 Tick
(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
ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Bedtime96_2.jpg
Some Singapore Airlines long-haul Business Class seats even convert to double beds. Yes, the crew will make them up for you on short flights too! (Photo: MainlyMiles)

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.

!Map SH2.jpg

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.

BKK Feature.jpg

KrisFlyer rates
(Business Class)
KF Logo trans.png
Saver: 21,500 miles
Advantage: 40,000 miles
Flight schedules
(2006 J seats)
2006 J (Daniel Gillaspia).jpg
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.

DEL Feature.jpg

KrisFlyer rates
(Business Class)
KF Logo trans.png
Saver: 39,000 miles
Advantage: 65,000 miles
Flight schedules
(2006 J seats)
2006 J (Daniel Gillaspia).jpg
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)
11A 2.jpg
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)
94A_2
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.

SGN Feature.jpg

KrisFlyer rates
(Business Class)
KF Logo trans.png
Saver: 21,500 miles
Advantage: 40,000 miles
Flight schedules
(2006 J seats)
2006 J (Daniel Gillaspia).jpg
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.

HKG Feature.jpg

KrisFlyer rates
(Business Class)
KF Logo trans.png
Saver: 30,500 miles
Advantage: 50,000 miles
Flight schedules
(2006 J seats)
2006 J (Daniel Gillaspia).jpg
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)
11A 2.jpg
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)
94A_2
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.

CGK Feature.jpg

KrisFlyer rates
(Business Class)
KF Logo trans.png
Saver: 19,000 miles
Advantage: 35,000 miles
Flight schedules
(2006 J seats)
2006 J (Daniel Gillaspia).jpg
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)
11A 2.jpg
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.

KUL Feature.jpg

KrisFlyer rates
(Business Class)
KF Logo trans.png
Saver: 19,000 miles
Advantage: 35,000 miles
Flight schedules
(2013 J seats)
11A 2.jpg
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).

MNL Feature.jpg

KrisFlyer rates
(Business Class)
KF Logo trans.png
Saver: 21,500 miles
Advantage: 40,000 miles
Flight schedules
(2006 J seats)
2006 J (Daniel Gillaspia).jpg
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.

BOM Feature.jpg

KrisFlyer rates
(Business Class)
KF Logo trans.png
Saver: 39,000 miles
Advantage: 65,000 miles
Flight schedules
(2006 J seats)
2006 J (Daniel Gillaspia).jpg
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)
11A 2.jpg
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)
94A_2
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!

PVG Feature.jpg

KrisFlyer rates
(Business Class)
KF Logo trans.png
Saver: 39,000 miles
Advantage: 65,000 miles
Flight schedules
(2006 J seats)
2006 J (Daniel Gillaspia).jpg
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)
11A 2.jpg
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)
94A_2
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.

DME ARN Feature.jpg

KrisFlyer rates
(Business Class)
KF Logo trans.png
Saver: 30,500 miles
Advantage: 35,000 miles
Flight schedules
(2013 J seats)
11A 2.jpg
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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Background-Jul3

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

SQ A380 2006J (Edwin Leong).jpg
Even the dated 2006 Business Class seats are still loved by many, and appear on several short routes this year. (Photo: Edwin Leong)

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)

ADVERTISEMENT

1 comment

  1. Your posts are always highly useful and it is every commendable, Andrew! It have truly learnt tremendously from your sharings. Heartfelt thanks always

Leave a Reply