Back in November last year, Singapore Airlines announced a welcome S$1.1 billion retrofit programme for its Airbus A350 Long Haul and A350 ULR jets, which will see brand new Business Class and First Class cabins make their debut from early 2026.
These seats were initially intended to debut on Singapore Airlines’ upcoming Boeing 777-9s, originally slated for a 2021 entry into service. However, well-documented delays in that aircraft’s development programme have led the airline to shift the launch to its Airbus A350 fleet instead.
In its initial announcement, Singapore Airlines offered a brief teaser of the new cabin concepts through a few images and video clips, though these revealed little in the way of detail – leaving many readers eager for a closer look.
Unfortunately, it’ll be a while before that happens, with SIA confirming in this week’s full-year financial results update that a dedicated launch event is only planned for the first half of 2026, likely to be timed just days or weeks ahead of the first retrofitted A350 entering service.
SIA 1H 2026 next-generation product launch event
In its latest financial results presentation, Singapore Airlines has dashed hopes of seeing more details about its upcoming First and Business Class cabin products this year, as some had wished for.
“[Next generation products will] be unveiled in 1H 2026 at an event that combines signature SIA brand elements with innovative features to showcase our world-class experiences.”
Singapore Airlines
That means we’ll have to settle for all we know so far about these new cabins, for at least another seven months or so.
(Image: Singapore Airlines)
Beyond the seats: Enhanced dining, amenities and KrisWorld
In addition to unveiling what it describes as “premium class seats that push the boundaries of comfort, luxury, and modernity”, Singapore Airlines will also use the launch event to showcase enhancements to its soft product offerings.
These include:
- An elevated dining experience and amenities across all classes
- An enhanced in-flight entertainment experience, with an all-new KrisWorld system
At least two airlines have recently added caviar service in Business Class – Qatar Airways and Thai Airways – and it will be interesting to see whether SIA feels the need to match that level of indulgence for its own Business Class customers next year.
When it comes to amenities, SIA’s Business Class kits have long lagged behind those offered by Middle Eastern carriers, while the absence of pyjamas in this cabin puts the airline at a disadvantage compared to several competitors like Qantas.
Could we see improvements here? It’s certainly possible, with the airline promising “an unparalleled onboard experience”.
(Image: Singapore Airlines)
The planned event reminds us of the Airbus A380 product launch “Space Made Personal” at Suntec City Convention Centre, which we attended in early 2017, and also included details of new amenities, dining and the launch of myKrisWorld, an interactive enhancement to the entertainment system.
(Photo: MainlyMiles)
(Photos: MainlyMiles)
SIA’s A380 product launch event was six weeks ahead of the aircraft’s entry into service, which may give us an indication of roughly when we can expect the upcoming reveal to happen.
The first Airbus A350 Long Haul with the new cabin products is pencilled in for a Q1 2026 entry into service, though beware – promised retrofit schedules tend to slip!
Faster Wi-Fi?
KrisWorld also encompasses the Wi-Fi offering, and as we mentioned in our recently updated guide to the carrier’s in-flight internet connectivity, Singapore Airlines may need to consider its plans for a technology upgrade to remain competitive here.
That’s because more airlines are rolling out next-generation low-earth orbit (LEO) Wi-Fi networks – like Starlink – offering speeds rivalling home broadband connections.
(Image: Starlink)
While we haven’t had the chance to try it yet – those using Starlink on Qatar Airways are reporting speeds at least ten times faster than the maximum 7-9 Mbps you’ll typically get on Singapore Airlines flights.
Last week Qatar Airways even had a live gaming tournament on board a Doha – London flight, using the Starlink network.
It would be great to faster Wi-Fi like this included in the retrofit programme, and of course for the upcoming Boeing 777-9s.
Frankly we would be surprised if this wasn’t part of the upgrades, after SIA became the first airline in Asia-Pacific to offer unlimited free Wi-Fi to all passengers on international flights in 2023, surely the carrier is not content to be left behind.
What about the cabin products?
Until the launch event, we likely won’t know much more about the new Singapore Airlines long-haul First Class and Business Class cabin products, but here’s a summary of what’s been revealed so far, or appears likely.
New Business Class
(Image: Singapore Airlines)
- Entry into service Q1 2026 on refitted Airbus A350 Long Haul aircraft, and on Airbus A350 ULR aircraft from 2027.
- Closing doors for suite-style privacy from the aisle, something that’s now practically de rigueur in new Business Class cabins.
- Alternating window-aligned and aisle-aligned seats at each row, in common with the airline’s latest Regional Business Class, giving rise to the opportunity for ‘honeymoon’ options at alternate rows in the middle section, potentially meaning double beds for couples.
- Modern touches like USB-C charging ports, wireless charging pads and bluetooth headphone connectivity are almost guaranteed.
- IFE screens should also inch bigger, along with the general industry trend, while Wi-Fi needs to get faster, as we mentioned above.
(Image: Qantas)
Here’s SIA’s short teaser video of the new 2026 Business Class seat, so you can start to judge for yourself what to expect.
New First Class
(Image: Singapore Airlines)
- Entry into service in 2027 on refitted Airbus A350 ULR aircraft, unless the first Boeing 777-9s miraculously arrive first, since these will also feature the new product.
- Likely to debut on non-stop flights between Singapore and the USA, including to cities like New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
- Four closed-door suites, likely in a 1-2-1 configuration.
- An elaborate blind built into the window shades, not dissimilar to those found on business jets.
(Image: Singapore Airlines)
Here’s SIA’s short teaser video of the new 2027 First Class seat.
Summary
Those hoping for an earlier glimpse of Singapore Airlines’ new First Class and Business Class products will likely be disappointed, with the carrier confirming that the full reveal won’t happen until a dedicated launch event in the first half of 2026. That means several more months of waiting before we get a proper look at what’s in store for the future of SIA’s premium cabin experience.
Despite the delay, the scale of what’s coming should be worth the wait. The airline is promising a wider upgrade – not just to its First and Business Class seats, but also to dining, amenities, and KrisWorld entertainment – in a move clearly designed to keep pace with (or hopefully exceed) top-tier competitors on long-haul routes.
Though details remain scarce for now, teaser images and videos suggest a sleek, modern aesthetic, with features like closing suite doors in both cabins offering enhanced privacy, while we can practically guarantee wireless charging, and possibly faster Wi-Fi.
This should be the airline’s biggest cabin revamp in over a decade – and if previous product launches are anything to go by, the final reveal will be worth the build-up.
(Cover Image: Singapore Airlines)
Just came back few days ago on QR948 DOH-SIN Q suites but no caviar service. But we did get sleeper suit and proper amenities kit.
try 942. i got caviar service on that flight
QR944 DOH-SIN morning service had caviar service last time I flew it. Maybe they don’t offer on the 2am departure?
Air New Zealand was offering free wifi long before Covid.
Better late than never…
Award flyer being snarky.
how do we sign up or attend the launch event?
SIA launch events are invite-only
I only fly Global’s a380 though
2013 J seat is such an old and uncomfortable design now. This is long overdue but they should have started earlier
So by 2030 most of the A350’s will be refitted…..
All 41 of SIA’s Airbus A350 Long Haul and ULR aircraft are due to be retrofitted with the new cabins by the end of 2030, but these projects tend to slip so don’t count on it!
The airline’s 25 A350 MH aircraft will not be refitted.
Why is SQ not refitting the new business class to the A380s?
The A380s and Boeing 777-300ERs will not be retrofitted because these fleets will be retired in the 2030s.
No plans to retrofit their A350 MH? Sureley atleast by 2028 we should have a glimpse of the next regional business class… The screens in current 2013 Y in A350LH really needs an update, really dim in the day and a bit laggy
Hi Andrew,
I’d appreciate hearing your perspective on the likelihood that flights to Australia – specifically those to Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne – will be retrofitted with the new generation cabin by the end of December next year. Even if it’s just your best guess, I’d value your assessment.
Sadly it’s a bit of guessing game when it comes to deployment of the new LH products. Sydney and London Heathrow tend to be prioritised, and that would mean SQ241/242 and SQ306/305 as prime candidates, perhaps even from the first refit up to aircraft 2/3. MEL (and BNE from Nov ’26) are possible too of course, but I’d be surprised if they came before SYD.
They are planning 1 refit on average every 6 weeks, so there should be 5 or 6 in the fleet by December 2026, but I think they’ll want to send a few of the early ones to Europe and US West Coast too.
Thanks for the helpful breakdown! Really appreciate your insights.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a great holiday season!