The SIA Boeing 787-10 operates short to medium-haul flights from Singapore to destinations across Asia, and some longer flights to Australia and Japan.
| Boeing 787-10 | ||
| 36 J (2018 RJ) 301 Y (2017 Y) 337 Total |
||
| 787-10 aircraft in service at 31st July 2021: 15 | ||
| 9V-SCA | 9V-SCF | 9V-SCK |
| 9V-SCB | 9V-SCG | 9V-SCL |
| 9V-SCC | 9V-SCH | 9V-SCM |
| 9V-SCD | 9V-SCI | 9V-SCN |
| 9V-SCE | 9V-SCJ | 9V-SCO |
All of these aircraft are in the same configuration – 36 of the latest 2018 Regional Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access for all passengers and 301 Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 configuration.
You can keep track of where the 787-10s are flying using our dedicated and regularly updated 2018 RJ Tracker page, designed to help people search and book the new regional business class product.
787-10 Business Class
The latest regional business class seats (which we call 2018 RJ) are fitted on the 787-10. These are in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, providing direct aisle access to all passengers.
Laterally the seats alternate row-by-row so some seats are aligned closer to the aisle while others are against the window or immediately next to each other in the middle.
Privacy is good with large ‘wings’ around the headrest area, and retractable privacy dividers between the ‘paired’ middle seats in case you don’t know your neighbour.
Best Seats
Business class on the 787-10 occupies a large single section of nine rows located between the first main set of aircraft doors and the second set.
Seats 11A and 11K, the window seats in the front row, each feature a bassinet position which unusually also doubles as a very handy storage area if you’re travelling without an infant.
While stowage there is not permitted for takeoff and landing, once in flight it’s a very useful place to have your bag in easy reach throughout the journey.
The foot well and stowage directly beneath are also much bigger at all row 11 seats, making the seat slightly bigger when converted to bed mode too. The literature pocket is also a more useful flat shape for stowing your own items. See our mini-review for details.
Be aware however the two business class toilets and the business class galley are located directly in front of row 11, meaning more noise and foot traffic in this area. If an infant is travelling in one of the bassinet positions there is also the possibility of some disturbance. We would aim towards mid cabin on a longer night flight for these reasons.
Worst Seats
Seats 16A and 16K: These window seats are missing a window. Avoid.
Row 20: There is a large galley at the back of the business class cabin where the second main aircraft doors are located, which serves the forward economy class cabin. That means there may be increased noise in this area. Row 41, the first row of economy, also has three bassinet positions. If any infants are travelling in that section – some noise is possible. Caution.
Other Tips
If travelling solo, any of the window seats (A or K) are nice and private, but those aligned against the window (at rows 12, 15, 17 and 19) will give you the highest level of privacy.
As a couple it’s up to you whether you prefer two A or K seats one in front of the other, or the much more sociable D/F middle pair ‘love seats’ – that’s rows 11, 14, 16, 18 and 20. We would go for the ‘love seats’ middle pair, as it’s easier to talk and provides the best food envy at meal times.
If you choose a D/F pair as a couple at rows 12, 15, 17 or 19 be aware these are the ‘divorce seats’. That’s because the side console of each seat is located between you both, making it very difficult to interact at all. These seats are more suited to solo travellers.
787-10 Economy Class
The economy class section on the 787-10 is split across two cabins of roughly equal size. The forward section, which also houses the main bank of toilets for economy passenger use, and a rear section between the third and fourth main aircraft doors, with two additional toilets at the rear.
Cabin service in the forward section (rows 41 to 57) is conducted from a galley at the front of that section, where the second main aircraft doors are located.
The rear section (rows 58 to 75) are served from a galley at the very back of the plane.
Best Seats
Extra legroom seats can be found at row 58 on this aircraft at 58 A/B/C and 58 H/J/K, but be aware of a single bassinet position at one of the middle seats in this row (seat 58E), which might give rise to some noise issues.
Two rare seat pairs are found at 74 H/K and 75 H/K, the last two rows on the right side, otherwise the remainder of the 787-10 is in a 3-3-3 configuration which isn’t ideal for couples.
It’s easy to avoid proximity to the toilets by choosing a seat towards the front of the second economy cabin (we would suggest rows 58 to 66), or the middle of the forward cabin, around rows 48 to 51.
Note also that seats 58 D/E/G are not sold as extra legroom seats, but they have plenty of it.
Worst Seats
Row 41: The first row in the forward economy class cabin is right behind two toilets and a galley area, and also houses three bassinet positions. That raises concerns around foot traffic, queuing and noise. Avoid.
Seats 57 A/B/C: This seat trio is located at the back left of the forward economy class section, just ahead of the third main aircraft door. Although Singapore Airlines does not mark it as such, there is no window at this location. There is also a toilet located to the right of these three seats, with the entrance very close to seat 57C. Again – that means potential foot traffic, queuing and noise. Avoid.
Row 69: This row is labelled as missing a window on the Singapore Airlines seat map, but it’s not nearly as bad as Seats 57 A/B/C shown above. You may still wish to avoid this row however – if you enjoy the view outside.
Rows 73, 74 and 75: Although we mentioned that seats 74 H/K and 75 H/K are the only good couple options in economy on the 787-10, all these seats in these three rows have the drawback of being right at the back of the plane in close proximity to the rear toilets and galley meaning more foot traffic, queuing and noise. Avoid.
Comments?
What did we miss? If you have personal experience of specific seats to favour or avoid on this aircraft, please let us know in the comments section below, and we’ll certainly try to incorporate your feedback.
(Cover Image: Mike Cassidy)
great review and sharing, photos really help
One question, 73K looks like a seat with no one sitting behind you. Looks like an optimum seat to me.
I flew on SQ from TPE to SIN in seat 20 A. I found it to be a great seat and I wasn’t disturbed by the noise at the galley at all. I like the seat because it gives you a great view of the cabin and the hard working crew.
Thanks for the feedback Robert!
Hi there, I will be travelling on this flight with my wife and I, and three children (ages 10, 12 and 13) later this year in economy. Where would you recommend we sit? cheers
Unfortunately with the 3-3-3 layout there are very few seating options on this aircraft which are perfect for a group of five. Your best bet if available is probably 73 H/J/K and 74 H/K (a trio with a couple pair behind).
Alternatively 74 D/E/G and 74 H/K could work. If the 74 H/K couple pair is not available it’s probably best to pick a window three with the two extra seats in the middle section at the same row. You can even try leaving the middle seat in the middle section empty in the hope no one will sit there (e.g. 50 A/B/C/D/G, leaving 50E vacant).
That will give you a bit more space in the middle and in the worst case if someone ends up sitting in 50E between you they will almost certainly swap for an aisle seat once on board, allowing you all to stay together.
Hope it helps.
Hi Andrew
Thanks for the reply. I’ve got two legs Canberra – Singapore on 777 – 300ER and return, one leg on A350-900 Singapore to Tokyo, and one leg on 787-10 Osaka to Singapore. From the reviews I’ve read, 787 looks to be the worst option given longer plane, narrower width etc.
As I’m travelling with one child, our party of 5 is entitled to complementary standard seats (rather than paying $14.90) per person per flight. However, I just rang airline and they said because tickets are economy lite, you would need to pay this for advanced purchase unless you want to chance it and choose your seats within 3 days of departure and they can’t guarantee we’d be sitting together etc. I’m now thinking better option might be to pay extra $21.90 for forward cabin seats so I can at least be further up front of plane, not near toilets, and have assurance that we will all be seated together – otherwise could be too much of a gamble…
I’d be interested in your views on this?
Secondly, should I consider using my krisflyer miles in order to get seat upgrades for this flight (either premium economy) or flexi – or do you think I’m better off just paying the extra for peace of mind?
thanks
Brett
Hi. Will be flying this aircraft this June and looking at the best seat row 58 A/B or J/K. Do you know if Row 58 is there any seat pocket for these seats?
I have bad flying experience with SQ once. Hit by Turbulence, Air craft did not react fast enough, supposed. Plane has a bad drop into Air. Passengers were screaming like Hell. How to overcome such bad experience?