SIA Fleet: Airbus A350-900 Long Haul

The Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 fleet operates in three configurations. This page details the A350-900 Long Haul configuration, which operates predominantly long-haul flights from Singapore to destinations in Europe, the USA and South Africa.

The aircraft is also used on selected regional flights to destinations including Australia, India, Japan, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.

A350-900 LH	A350-900 MH	A350-900 ULR
42 J (2013 J) 24 W (2015 W) 187 Y (2013/17 Y) 253 Total	40 J (2018 RJ) 263 Y (2017 Y) 303 Total	67 J (2013 J) 94 W (2018 W) 161 Total
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This is our fleet guide for the Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 LH aircraft. For the A350-900 MH or A350-900 ULR aircraft, click the respective links above.
A350 (Standard) aircraft in service at 16th July 2023: 31
9V-SMA	9V-SML	9V-SMW
9V-SMB	9V-SMM	9V-SMY
9V-SMC	9V-SMN	9V-SMZ
9V-SMD	9V-SMO	9V-SJA
9V-SME	9V-SMP	9V-SJB
9V-SMF	9V-SMQ	9V-SJC
9V-SMG	9V-SMR	9V-SJD
9V-SMH	9V-SMS	9V-SJE
9V-SMI	9V-SMT	9V-SJF
9V-SMJ	9V-SMU
9V-SMK	9V-SMV

How can I tell which Version I’m flying on? If you’re flying in Business Class and the seat map ends at row 22, you’re on an A350-900 (Standard) aircraft (you’re on the right page already), if it ends at row 21 you’re on an A350-900 MH aircraft, and if it ends at row 29 you’re on an A350-900 ULR aircraft. If you’re flying Premium Economy Class and the seat map goes up to row 33, you’re on an A350-900 (Standard) aircraft (you’re on the right page already). If it goes up to row 43, you’re on an A350-900 ULR. The A350-900 MH does not feature a Premium Economy cabin. If you’re flying Economy Class and the seat map goes up to row 62, you’re on an A350-900 (Standard) aircraft (you’re on the right page already). If it goes up to row 70, you’re on an A350-900 MH. The A350-900 ULR does not feature an Economy cabin.

The Singapore Airlines A350-900 LH aircraft are in a 3-class configuration – 42 of the 2013 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, 24 premium economy seats in a 2-4-2 configuration, and 187 economy seats in a 3-3-3 configuration.

Other variants include a ULR (Ultra Long Range) version and a MH (Medium Haul) configuration, both of which are now also in service.

A350 LH Business Class

The 2013 business class seats (2013 J) are fitted on the A350 LH. Effectively they are identical to the Business Class seats first introduced on the 777-300ER, but as the A350 fuselage is narrower than the 777, some sacrifices were made.

The aisles are much narrower than on the 777, and the seat itself is slightly redesigned too. It’s narrower, the footwell is smaller, and the seat pitch is reduced compared with the 777-300ER.

You’ve probably got the message there – but if you have the choice between the A350 LH and the 777-300ER Version 2 in business class on the same route, we recommend the latter, as the seat is simply bigger.

Having said that, the A350 LH Business Class seat is still one of the better products out there with great privacy and the latest IFE system.

If you can secure a seat in one of the bulkhead rows there is more space provided, however these are blocked for selection by non-PPS Club members until online check in opens 48 hours prior to departure time.

Luckily thanks to aeroLOPA there is a much better to-scale version of the A350 ULR seat map, and here’s how the two Business Class sections look.

Best Seats

Business class on the A350-900 LH is split across two sections, the larger forward section which occupies the entire forward portion of the aircraft between the first two main passenger doors, and a smaller four-row cabin behind the second doors.

In both cabin sections, the front row (row 11 and row 19) are the best seats on the plane as they have more space, especially for your feet as the small “cubby hole” style footwell found in other seat rows is gone – replaced by a spacious full-width bench which also makes the bed bigger once the seat is converted.

In these seats there is no need to extend your legs at an angle while sleeping.

We have a slight preference for row 11 because the forward galley on this aircraft is a ‘dry galley’ which means there is less noise than at the main galley ahead of row 19, which is also the Business Class bassinet position across all four seats.

Row 19 also has slightly less leg space, though it’s still generous compared to non-bulkhead rows.

Unfortunately row 11 and row 19 are reserved for PPS Club members at the advance seat selection stage, for this very reason.

You may be able to select these seats when online check-in opens 96 / 48 hours before departure, if they are still unoccupied.

On shorter flights from Singapore to Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, row 19 is not blocked for advance selection.

There is a toilet in the forward galley, while the other two toilets are positioned ahead of the second door, between the two cabin sections.

Worst Seats

Row 17/18: Proximity to the galley and toilets means more foot traffic and potentially more noise in these rows. Although there is a full galley between row 18 and the first row in the second business class cabin (row 19), be aware that row 19 is the only bassinet position in Business Class and that some noise is therefore possible. Avoid.

Row 19: If there is a screaming infant in the bassinet, say goodbye to a peaceful flight if you’re seated here (otherwise, they are great seats, second only to row 11 – see above).

Row 22: There is no galley area separating row 22 and the first row in the Premium Economy cabin (row 31), just a partition wall, and row 31 is the only bassinet position in Premium Economy. If any infants are travelling in that section – some noise is possible. Avoid.

Other tips

If travelling solo, one of the window seats (A or K) is preferable, giving 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 slightly more sociable (but still sufficiently private) D/F middle pair. We tend to go for the middle pair, as it’s easy to talk and provides the best food envy at meal times.

A350 Premium Economy Class

Premium Economy is the smallest cabin on the A350 LH, occupying just three rows with a 2-4-2 configuration, for a total of 24 seats.

Sadly it’s the same story as with the Business Class cabin – when comparing with premium economy on the 777-300ER and A380, the seats have had to shrink to maintain a 2-4-2 configuration in the narrower A350 cabin.

The aisles are narrower, and seat width has been sacrificed from 19.5 inches to 19 inches, though seat pitch remains the same at 38 inches (6 inches more than economy).

Here’s the better aeroLOPA seat map for this cabin.

We can’t help thinking that Singapore Airlines should have gone with a 2-3-2 configuration in this cabin, like both Lufthansa and China Airlines opted for on their A350 aircraft. We’ve travelled in this cabin on the SIA A350 LH, thankfully on a short flight to Hong Kong, and it’s honestly not something we would choose again.

Best Seats

The first row in the cabin, row 31, has additional legroom, but be aware of a few drawbacks – firstly it’s the bassinet row (though there’s probably no escaping the sound of a screaming baby in this small cabin), secondly the IFE screens are mounted on the bulkhead wall in front of you, not housed in the armrest as with other seats in this cabin.

Worst Seats

Seats 33D and 33G have been reported to suffer from knocks and bumps during cabin service, as they protrude into the aisle further relative to the economy section behind. Avoid.

Other tips

Solo travellers will probably want to opt for one of the aisle seats (C, D, G or H), or possibly a window seat (A or K) depending on personal preference. For couples, the window pairs (A/C or H/K) make perfect sense.

There are no dedicated toilets in the Premium Economy section, and you aren’t allowed forward into the Business cabin to use their toilets, so that means heading back through the first Economy Class section of five or six rows, to use the main bank of toilets there, by the third main set of aircraft doors.

A350 Economy Class

The Economy Class cabin on the A350 LH is split across two cabins, a smaller forward section, which also houses the main bank of toilets for Economy and Premium Economy passenger use, and a rear section between the third and fourth main aircraft doors.

Seats are either the 2013 Y version, fitted to the majority of A350s, or the newer 2017 Y product, which you’ll find on the newer aircraft 9V-SMV onwards and the newest 9V-SJ* series.

Here’s how the seat map looks on the SIA website.

Here’s how the to-scale aeroLOPA version looks.

Best Seats

Extra legroom seats can be found at rows 47 and 48 on this aircraft, but beware the bassinet positions at one of the seats (47G).

Two rare seat pairs are found at 47 B/C and 47 H/J, otherwise the remainder of the A350 is in a 3-3-3 configuration, which isn’t ideal for couples.

As there is no seat ahead of seats 48A and 48K, these also have ample legroom.

It’s easy to avoid proximity to the toilets by choosing a seat towards the front of the first economy cabin in the forward zone (we would suggest rows 41 to 43), or the middle of the main cabin, around rows 50 to 55.

While the smaller forward cabin may look attractive, remember that Premium Economy passengers will be walking through to use the toilets at the back of this section, and also that the main bassinet positions for Economy Class are in this section.

Our opinion is to aim towards mid-cabin in the second section.

Worst Seats

Row 61 A/B/C and Row 62 D/E/G: These seats, right at the back of the plane, have limited recline, and are right next to the rear toilet and galley meaning more foot traffic, queuing and noise. Row 62 in particular is a sole middle trio of seats wedged between the toilets on one side and a galley cupboard on the other, which sounds horribly claustrophobic. Avoid.

Row 46: The last row of the smaller forward Economy Class cabin is right in front of the main bank of four toilets on the aircraft, so it’s back to the foot traffic, queuing and noise issues. 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.